I just received a text from my dental practice asking me to ring them (with no explanation given). I rang straight away and was told that I needed to pay for my hygienist appointment, which is in five days' time. On previous appointments at this dental practice (including one recent, very expensive one for dental implant surgery), I have always been asked to pay at the end of the appointment.
When I asked why I needed to pay now, I was told that it was to stop people touching the payment machine at the surgery. I stated that I was not in a position to pay today and that I would pay next week. The receptionist was having none of it, and the reason then changed to 'lots people don't turn up, and so we need to get payment from you in advance'. She was not best pleased when I re-stated that I would pay next week and she hinted that they may have to cancel the appointment.
I can't deny that dental practices need to be cautious because of COVID, and I appreciate that some patients may not turn up. But I wasn't expecting to have to pay today, and my credit card account is very full right now (partly because of previous dental implant treatment), and so I would rather wait until next week to pay, by which time my statement date will have gone by. I don't see that I need to tell her that I am feeling a bit broke right now. The point is that I will pay for the appointment, either shortly before, or immediately after it takes place.
I am not made of money, but I wouldn't dream of not turning up, nor of evading payment for a dentist's appointment. I just didn't expect to have to pay today, on demand. Was my stance unreasonable? I feel a bit uncomfortable about going now.