Did he think we are poor?

[Obsessedwithbluey]

For context, we live in another country, we generally use their nhs but occasionally pay for private doctors/tests etc.
Last weekend, Dd, 3 was really sick and wouldn’t stop vomiting, she’s never ill and has no energy and completely not herself. We started to get a bit worried about her. It was a Sunday so surgeries were shut apart from doctor call outs. It was either this or A & E at the local hospital, which ideally we wouldn’t want to do.
We called the private doctor we’ve used before, we knew it would be expensive as was a house call out and a Sunday. I didn’t check the price in all the fuss.
When he’d finished, we asked how much and he said €170, we paid and he left.
Dd was fine by the evening, thank goodness.

On the Monday, the surgery secretary called and said the receipt was available did I want her to email etc. She then asked if she could just clarify the amount paid as call outs by the doctor are €200 normally, I said he said €170 and she said ‘Oh ok he must have charged you less’

It did make me wonder afterwards, why?

I do know that the majority of people he likely attends to are very wealthy, the area the doctors is in is v expensive-millionaire territory. The house was also pretty messy as we were busy looking after Dd

Why did he charge less?

I had 2 private consultations this year and the consultant at the end of the second one said don't worry about paying for this one, I won't charge.
I was just very grateful and said thank you, it didn't cross my mind to think he thought I was poor and couldn't afford the £220.

Why do you care?

He only charged you £30 less. If he thought you were poor, and couldn't afford to pay, he'd have charged you nothing or the £30 instead.

It must have been that the visit was short, or because it was a child, maybe.

A poor family would not be able to afford 170 for a call out.
I had a vet not charge me once when the appointment only took 5 minutes (as I wanted something checked but it turned out it was fine). Now - her didn't need to do that, I would have been happy to pay for the 15 minute appointment slot but I think he was just being nice (and maybe trying to encourage repeat custom), I doubt it was because he thought I couldn't afford it. So I would just be chuffed you got a discount.

Why does it matter? He might have not realised it was a weekend and charged you a weekday call out rate, a child rate, or just did a nice thing. If you're really putting this much thought into it, may I suggest you get a hobby.

So you’re complaining that you saved 30 euros?

Some of the wealthiest people I know treat saving money and getting a discount like a competitive sport.

”Only a fool pays full price”.

If I got charged less for something this thought wouldn't even occur to me, I'd just be thinking, 'yesss'!

Just appreciate the fact that you saved some money! Not everything has to be an insult, lol.

Why would that bother you? It really doesn't matter what he thought.

Why are you even thinking this OP? Does it really bother you

@sirfredfredgeorge

Who cares? If you feel you got some charity that you don't need, pay it forward to someone else.

I love this answer!!

He probably just made a mistake. You're way overthinking this.

I had a similar dental situation. Failed root canal which should have cost hundreds. In the end they had to remove the tooth and they only charged me about £50 for the whole process. I think she just felt sorry for me as it was quite traumatic. I wouldn’t over think it it’s a kind gesture.

Right, because him thinking you're poor would be awful. It's an insult ... or what?

Just give it to charity if it upsets you.

I've had this before. Some people think "foreigner - struggling". I must admit though its never been as nice as getting a discount, rather more "are you sure you can afford this?" My friend who is black as well as foreign has had this more frequently than me, sadly.

Enjoy your 30€ and hope your DC feels better soon.

Sorry, I meant 'I' hope your DC gets better soon, not that you should. That sounded a bit passive aggressive!

Sounds like a good deed. Are you really bothered about being considered poor with all that going on? Insanity

Most likely that it was a child and it was a simple call.

No he probably just felt for you and your sick daughter.

I work with a millionaire at her family business and she gets things for free or discounted all the time, outside of work. Just take it.

@Nap1983

Dear god… the shame of someone thinking your poor…

Honest

*Honestly

I'd like to think if he thought you were poor he'd have been more generous.

Could it be a reduced rate because it was for a child, or is he new to the practice and charged the same as his old rates?

@mm40

We had a private consultancy earlier this year and whilst fully expecting to pay the full amount the bill was around 50% as the consultant realised that we were actually NHS staff. We didn’t take offence at all and said ‘thank you’ very sincerely when we left.

I had this happen to me. Paid to see an Orthopaedic consultant privately as I was in a lot of pain. Once he found out I was a nurse he took £50 off his charge, I thought it was lovely of him.

Oh goodness, why are you bothered? If he felt kind enough to charge you less, perhaps because it was a sick child and he had sympathy, then let it go!

Perhaps he charged less because she’s a child. I wouldn’t worry about it, you paid what was asked.