Mum to Emma Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Next time I have to do a special rushed Friday afternoon drug order to obtain something urgent for a client that isn't normally on our shelves, when I neglect to add the weekend freight surcharge onto the account and don't charge for driving 12 km in to the freight depot at 6am to pick up the parcel because we don't get weekend delivery, I shall think of this thread. Assuming the drug is also prescribed for human use and available at a pharmacy (and that's all we're discussing here - as far as I know chemists don't sell animal remedy only medication), why don't you just give them a prescription and tell them to get the drug themselves? Would people pay the costs of medication if it was not covered under the PBS ? Fido Jones is not on anyone's medicare card and medications would not be available to Fido at the same rate as you would expect to pay for youself. I paid the pharmacy price for Trental (it's not on the PBS), Maxidex is below the $32 threshold, as is Trusopt which Emma is on for the rest of her life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodle3081 Posted June 7, 2009 Author Share Posted June 7, 2009 One thing is really clear in this thread, and in others like it that appear here from time to time, and that is that many people are simply after cheap services and not in building a good solid working relationship with the service provider.Good customers are always on the receiving end of "special treatment" in most vet clinics, lots of little extras do not get billed for, staff time not billed for, long term medication discounted, very expensive drugs discounted etc. Joe Blow off the street does not not get the same treatment and why should they, They will be off down the road at the drop of a hat. Good to see where your priorities are (not)! Forget the animal, eh? It is interesting to view the double standards. The vets I know admit to charging difficult customers more. One example is when one went to treat a horse that only had a minor problem, and was called out early on a Sunday morning. The client was difficult to deal with and he was charge the maximum possible i.e. Sunday rate, travel etc, the bill was loaded to the maximum. This practice appears to be common as many replies here state that certain customers are offered discounted services for other than professional reasons. Does this mean that a pet owner who consults the vet infrequently is charged more? Is their ability to pay considered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 A vet charged a sunday consult fee.. on a Sunday- OMG Why should the person's 'ability to pay' be considered? Sad as it may be- thats not the way the world works. Coles don't make my groceries cheaper because i don't earn as much as the businessman next door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisovar Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Next time I have to do a special rushed Friday afternoon drug order to obtain something urgent for a client that isn't normally on our shelves, when I neglect to add the weekend freight surcharge onto the account and don't charge for driving 12 km in to the freight depot at 6am to pick up the parcel because we don't get weekend delivery, I shall think of this thread. Assuming the drug is also prescribed for human use and available at a pharmacy (and that's all we're discussing here - as far as I know chemists don't sell animal remedy only medication), why don't you just give them a prescription and tell them to get the drug themselves? Not all animal medications are available through a pharmacy, youmay be surprised to know that some are only registered for animal use, your fix it all plan has holes, try again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisovar Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 One thing is really clear in this thread, and in others like it that appear here from time to time, and that is that many people are simply after cheap services and not in building a good solid working relationship with the service provider.Good customers are always on the receiving end of "special treatment" in most vet clinics, lots of little extras do not get billed for, staff time not billed for, long term medication discounted, very expensive drugs discounted etc. Joe Blow off the street does not not get the same treatment and why should they, They will be off down the road at the drop of a hat. Good to see where your priorities are (not)! Forget the animal, eh? And the people who only consider costs when seeking treating for their pets are thinking of the animal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum to Emma Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 A vet charged a sunday consult fee.. on a Sunday- OMG Why should the person's 'ability to pay' be considered? Sad as it may be- thats not the way the world works. Coles don't make my groceries cheaper because i don't earn as much as the businessman next door. Actually, supermarkets do charge more in wealthier suburbs. That's a well known fact. Shopped at the Toorak Safeway lately?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum to Emma Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 One thing is really clear in this thread, and in others like it that appear here from time to time, and that is that many people are simply after cheap services and not in building a good solid working relationship with the service provider.Good customers are always on the receiving end of "special treatment" in most vet clinics, lots of little extras do not get billed for, staff time not billed for, long term medication discounted, very expensive drugs discounted etc. Joe Blow off the street does not not get the same treatment and why should they, They will be off down the road at the drop of a hat. Good to see where your priorities are (not)! Forget the animal, eh? And the people who only consider costs when seeking treating for their pets are thinking of the animal Did anyone here who is questioning vet medication charges, say their only consideration is cost??? Would I have spent about $1800 for an MRI for my dog if my only consideration was cost??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum to Emma Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 (edited) Next time I have to do a special rushed Friday afternoon drug order to obtain something urgent for a client that isn't normally on our shelves, when I neglect to add the weekend freight surcharge onto the account and don't charge for driving 12 km in to the freight depot at 6am to pick up the parcel because we don't get weekend delivery, I shall think of this thread. Assuming the drug is also prescribed for human use and available at a pharmacy (and that's all we're discussing here - as far as I know chemists don't sell animal remedy only medication), why don't you just give them a prescription and tell them to get the drug themselves? Not all animal medications are available through a pharmacy, youmay be surprised to know that some are only registered for animal use, your fix it all plan has holes, try again. That's absolutely right. I said that. Read my quoted post again. This debate is about medicines that ARE available outside a veterinary practice ie that are NOT for animal only use. Edited June 7, 2009 by Mum to Emma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 It is interesting to view the double standards. The vets I know admit to charging difficult customers more. One example is when one went to treat a horse that only had a minor problem, and was called out early on a Sunday morning. The client was difficult to deal with and he was charge the maximum possible i.e. Sunday rate, travel etc, the bill was loaded to the maximum. This practice appears to be common as many replies here state that certain customers are offered discounted services for other than professional reasons. Does this mean that a pet owner who consults the vet infrequently is charged more? Is their ability to pay considered? Of course they got charged Sunday rate? Why wouldn't they have been charged? I charge my clients extra if i have to do more visits due to the animal being sick and needing to go to the vets, as well as emergency calls, i was called out at 11pm on Christmas eve one night, why would i not charge for after hours care? (im a pet sitter) I also charge for travel. This thread is going nowhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicestman77 Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 (edited) It is interesting to view the double standards. The vets I know admit to charging difficult customers more. One example is when one went to treat a horse that only had a minor problem, and was called out early on a Sunday morning. The client was difficult to deal with and he was charge the maximum possible i.e. Sunday rate, travel etc, the bill was loaded to the maximum. This practice appears to be common as many replies here state that certain customers are offered discounted services for other than professional reasons. Does this mean that a pet owner who consults the vet infrequently is charged more? Is their ability to pay considered? Of course they got charged Sunday rate? Why wouldn't they have been charged? I charge my clients extra if i have to do more visits due to the animal being sick and needing to go to the vets, as well as emergency calls, i was called out at 11pm on Christmas eve one night, why would i not charge for after hours care? (im a pet sitter) I also charge for travel. This thread is going nowhere. Next thing you will see, in every vet surgery, there will be another room added to each surgery, and on the door will be a sign "Finance Manager" where you will go to pay for the account by applying for a personal loan, it will be underwrtten by the drug companies, with the help of the vets, who will get a spotters fee, and by the following Monday you will have a caveat on your assets. I feel it in my waters Edited June 7, 2009 by nicestman77 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodle3081 Posted June 7, 2009 Author Share Posted June 7, 2009 One thing is really clear in this thread, and in others like it that appear here from time to time, and that is that many people are simply after cheap services and not in building a good solid working relationship with the service provider.Good customers are always on the receiving end of "special treatment" in most vet clinics, lots of little extras do not get billed for, staff time not billed for, long term medication discounted, very expensive drugs discounted etc. Joe Blow off the street does not not get the same treatment and why should they, They will be off down the road at the drop of a hat. Good to see where your priorities are (not)! Forget the animal, eh? And the people who only consider costs when seeking treating for their pets are thinking of the animal Unfortunately you need to get out more. Many in our society do not have the ability to pay, and need to shop around for the best price. The lady I spoke to who triggered this thread was involved in the recent bushfires and their business has suffered as a result. She had no problem paying the $106 but was a little put out when the Vet told her the medication PREDNEFRIN FORTE was expensive and apologised for the price. She came to me to out of curiosity to find out what the Vet paid for it, and was surprised at the mark up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 The one thing I've really taken from this thread is how much I value my relationship with my vet and the open communication. I know that when the proverbial poo has hit the fan, that my vet is on my team batting for me and that I haven't soured our relationship by attemtping to screw them for every last dollar and demanding scripts that I can fill at my local chemist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormie Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 A vet charged a sunday consult fee.. on a Sunday- OMG Why should the person's 'ability to pay' be considered? Sad as it may be- thats not the way the world works. Coles don't make my groceries cheaper because i don't earn as much as the businessman next door. Actually, supermarkets do charge more in wealthier suburbs. That's a well known fact. Shopped at the Toorak Safeway lately?? Yep, so do vets. Because the vets also pay the same higher rates because of the area in which they run. If you know you that you can get the exact same drug cheaper at a chemist, then ask for it. As for vets who supposedly charge more for difficult clients, that would be how you'd see it. Where in actual fact, its that the vet is charging LESS to their loyal clients than they should be. Yep, we do the same thing. Those who come to us regularly and regularly spend money with us and value us, we do more for them on the cheap because we know they'll be back. We rarely discount new clients. Why? Because to some people, it gives the impression that we don't think our service is worth paying for, that maybe we didnt do very much. But charge them for what we did and it gives our service value. Its threads like this that really make me value our good clients. Those that never bat an eyelid at fees for medications. They want the things we have because they trust us 110% and they appreciate the vets and nurses. The ones who keep saying thank you for preparing their medications for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormie Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 One thing is really clear in this thread, and in others like it that appear here from time to time, and that is that many people are simply after cheap services and not in building a good solid working relationship with the service provider.Good customers are always on the receiving end of "special treatment" in most vet clinics, lots of little extras do not get billed for, staff time not billed for, long term medication discounted, very expensive drugs discounted etc. Joe Blow off the street does not not get the same treatment and why should they, They will be off down the road at the drop of a hat. Good to see where your priorities are (not)! Forget the animal, eh? And the people who only consider costs when seeking treating for their pets are thinking of the animal Unfortunately you need to get out more. Many in our society do not have the ability to pay, and need to shop around for the best price. The lady I spoke to who triggered this thread was involved in the recent bushfires and their business has suffered as a result. She had no problem paying the $106 but was a little put out when the Vet told her the medication PREDNEFRIN FORTE was expensive and apologised for the price. She came to me to out of curiosity to find out what the Vet paid for it, and was surprised at the mark up. I'm going to look this up on tuesday because I had to buy it for my horse and whilst I get it for cost, I still dont remember it being that cheap. So I'll tell you what our cost + GST is, and I'll also tell you what the RRP on it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danois Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 (edited) But YOU have the chance to shop around for the cheapest way to fill that prescription, or not get it filled at all. Seriously - how many people shop around for the cheapest prescription? You spend the extra couple of dollars driving to the suburb 6 suburbs away. The one thing I've really taken from this thread is how much I value my relationship with my vet and the open communication. I know that when the proverbial poo has hit the fan, that my vet is on my team batting for me and that I haven't soured our relationship by attempting to screw them for every last dollar and demanding scripts that I can fill at my local chemist. I agree PPS. Value the relationship with your vet and it is reciprocal. They are not so worried when I see another vet for anal glands though! And there are always going to be people who whinge and moan and focus on the dollar figure and not the service that comes with when they should be grateful that they have that person on their team doing everything they can to help your dog get better including leaving their family during the night several times to go and check on your dog, going to lectures in their personal time to learn more about your dog's condition and spending time just hanging out with your dog when they're seriously ill just so they're not alone. Edited June 7, 2009 by Danois Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schnauzer Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 (edited) But YOU have the chance to shop around for the cheapest way to fill that prescription, or not get it filled at all. Seriously - how many people shop around for the cheapest prescription? You spend the extra couple of dollars driving to the suburb 6 suburbs away. The one thing I've really taken from this thread is how much I value my relationship with my vet and the open communication. I know that when the proverbial poo has hit the fan, that my vet is on my team batting for me and that I haven't soured our relationship by attempting to screw them for every last dollar and demanding scripts that I can fill at my local chemist. I agree PPS. Value the relationship with your vet and it is reciprocal. They are not so worried when I see another vet for anal glands though! And there are always going to be people who whinge and moan and focus on the dollar figure and not the service that comes with when they should be grateful that they have that person on their team doing everything they can to help your dog get better including leaving their family during the night several times to go and check on your dog, going to lectures in their personal time to learn more about your dog's condition and spending time just hanging out with your dog when they're seriously ill just so they're not alone. I agree with PPS and Danois. My relationship with my vets is paramount, and in my opinion they are worth their weight in gold. There is always a vet available to speak to me on the phone in a crisis, and give premium care and compassion. IMO you can't buy that. Edited June 7, 2009 by schnauzer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum to Emma Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 But YOU have the chance to shop around for the cheapest way to fill that prescription, or not get it filled at all. Seriously - how many people shop around for the cheapest prescription? You spend the extra couple of dollars driving to the suburb 6 suburbs away. The one thing I've really taken from this thread is how much I value my relationship with my vet and the open communication. I know that when the proverbial poo has hit the fan, that my vet is on my team batting for me and that I haven't soured our relationship by attempting to screw them for every last dollar and demanding scripts that I can fill at my local chemist. I agree PPS. Value the relationship with your vet and it is reciprocal. They are not so worried when I see another vet for anal glands though! And there are always going to be people who whinge and moan and focus on the dollar figure and not the service that comes with when they should be grateful that they have that person on their team doing everything they can to help your dog get better including leaving their family during the night several times to go and check on your dog, going to lectures in their personal time to learn more about your dog's condition and spending time just hanging out with your dog when they're seriously ill just so they're not alone. You're just SO missing the point of this thread! Vets should disclose what they charge. If they're such brilliant vets and have such good relationships with their clients, 9 times out of 10 those clients will stay with them regardless of the cost. You honestly believe I should have been supporting a vet specialist practice to the sum of $550 year because of their inflated medication prices? When their high re-examination fees already takes into account their specialist expertise? Oh, and if you're not interested in walking 100m to save 100% on a medication, good for you. Perhaps you should buy it at the cheaper pharmacy and then give the cost difference to an animal charity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisovar Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Do any other retailers or service providers disclose their markup? The point of this thread is simply a good old bitch AFAIC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicestman77 Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Do any other retailers or service providers disclose their markup?The point of this thread is simply a good old bitch AFAIC. I think it all comes down to ethics, if the vet over charges the RRP on drugs, if there is a RRP on drugs, are they(vet) going to treat the animal SLOWLY? so they will need to use more drugs than normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 (edited) I have a concern of the hidden charges by vets in regard to medication charges. What is fair price or mark up of medications?When receiving a bill I would like to be charged for the consultation and the cost of medications/drugs plus a small mark up of around 10% to cover expenses. Considering that vets don't have the buying power of chemists they can really charge what they like. But IMO don't need to disclose any markup - they are running a business for profit. Our old boy has cancer and after chemo needed some human medicines to help him, so as they were long term meds, the vet gave us a prescription for the chemist and we get them at the chemist prices, instead of what the vet needs to charge. You could always ask for a script for the chemist and see if they give you one if you think they are charging you too much. Edited June 7, 2009 by Staffyluv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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