Vet invoice-can they bill us an additional £10 weeks after the original appointment?

wilkins_micawber

Evening all,

First off, apologies if this is the wrong section in the forum - I've only just registered

We took our dog to the local vet for a check-up on the 2nd August, where we were presented with a bill, which we duly paid by debit card on the day.

We've now received a further bill, mentioning an additional £10 fee which I'm assuming they forgot to put on the original (already painful enough) bill.

The date on the invoice shows 31/08, although the postmark shows 02/09 - and we've only just received it today (05/09).

Are they within their rights to request this additional fee a month after the event, although (a) there's no apology or explanation in their letter, just an invoice and (b) the mistake was theirs, not ours?

Usually I'd not quibble so much over £10 but, like everyone, we're not exactly rolling in it, and this is the latest in a long list of occurences where I've felt they're frankly extracting the urine.

Any advice would be gratefully received!

Thanks,

Micawber

arcon5

Depends...

Did they give a quote with the extra £10 before the work was undertaken? If so there is a good chance you owe the money.

If however they did the work, told you their charges, you paid then I would consider that to be it and tell them to stick it. (But nicely )

bod1467

But be prepared to find another vet if you do this.

Does the invoice say what the £10 is for?

wilkins_micawber

Did they 'eck as like. No quote, just told the charges on the day after the check-up, which we duly paid. You've basically underlined my sentiments exactly, so thanks

Just out of interest, does anyone know if there's any relevant legalese I can quote in a suitably-worded reply?

McKneff

I would give them a ring to say you assumed that when you paid the bill then the account was clear so you didnt expect a
further invoice. Please could you clarify what it is for

(what does it actually say on the invoice)

wilkins_micawber

The invoice does mention a urine test (see, told you they were taking some) carried out on the day, but as we weren't given a full breakdown on the day and their prices tend to be sky-high at the best of times, we certainly didn't think "ooh, got away with that one".

I think we've already decided we're moving vets, as this isn't the first time I've taken a dim view of one of their bills.

bod1467

wilkins_micawber wrote: »

The invoice does mention a urine test (see, told you they were taking some)

:rotfl:

Gotta keep a sense of humour!

MsBlonde

I swear someone told me ages ago or I read it somewhere, that Vet fee's aren't legally binding since its for the pet and they can hardly pay.

Not sure if this is true or not, I just remember reading it =\

pauletruth

pay up. you had the work done. depending on the test it can be billed later. thou they should have said. we regularly get billed for tests the last two a worm count at the vets and a pregnancy test. mess them about and you will lose them if you need them urgently

wilkins_micawber

I think that's the point that really sticks in my throat - the fact that they didn't even hint that additional charges would be forthcoming. Hopefully the next vet will be more open (God knows next time I'll be asking more questions).

arcon5

MsBlonde wrote: »

I swear someone told me ages ago or I read it somewhere, that Vet fee's aren't legally binding since its for the pet and they can hardly pay.

Don't ever take advice from that person

If you take a TV to be repaired do you think the TV is liable for payment? Good luck enforcing that one.

It doesn't matter who or the service was provided for, you are using their services and you are liable for payment.

pauletruth wrote: »

pay up. you had the work done. depending on the test it can be billed later. thou they should have said. we regularly get billed for tests the last two a worm count at the vets and a pregnancy test. mess them about and you will lose them if you need them urgently

It's not very MSE to pay bills you don't know anything about without checking the validity of them.

If they made a mistake in their quotation then tought luck on them -- they could loose a customer for the sake of £10, would it be worth it?

But if the quote included this cost and they simply forgot to bill for it then op owes the money fair and square.

Lets establish if it is legit first.

bod1467 wrote: »

But be prepared to find another vet if you do this.

Does the invoice say what the £10 is for?

I'm sure there is lots of VETS happy for ops business. But I agree op should pay it if it is a valid invoice.