Vet undercharged me now they want more!

CakeyLaura

Hi All

We sadly had to have our cat put down in March. I registered him at Vets4Pets one afternoon, took him for a consultation & blood test (advised by vet) the next morning, and booked him in to be put to sleep in the afternoon, as it was clear to her there was nothing she could do. We received the results & then took him back in the afternoon when he was put to sleep. My husband came with me on the afternoon appointment and settled the bill before we left £72.

I received a letter 2 days ago (2 months later!!) to say we owe £69. When I rang to query this, the receptionist couldn't find any details, but rang me back later to tell me the £72 we paid was for consultation & blood test, and we still owe £69 for the putting down & cremation of our cat!

I wonder if anyone can tell me where we stand legally on this? We weren't given a detailed invoice at the time, nor did I even discuss how much everything cost as I was upset & just wanted the poor animal's suffering to be stopped by treatment or ending his life.

At the moment I've just told the receptionist I would like to speak to the manager about it, but will happily take it further. I am a cake maker and if I told a customer that their cake was double the price 2 months later, because I'd made an error, I know what they would tell me to do!!

Thanks in advance!

LittleMax

So sorry to read this Laura - losing a pet is always sad. But this is really unprofessional.

I would politely point out that you asked to settle the bill in full on the afternoon that your cat was pts as you did not want to face the upset of receiving a bill afterwards. As far as you are concerned you have paid the full amount that was asked for. Your contract was verbal and you paid the amount the vet requested. You was not issued with an invoice nor advised that a further invoice would be sent.

I would put this in writing and then leave it at that.

They could take you to court, but without an invoice it would be a difficult one for them to prove, and if they do they are a national chain, and the bad publicity it would generate should mean they just write it off. They are a budget chain, so probably more difficult for them to absorb mistakes like this, so probably chancing their arm that you will just pay it.

By the way love the 'Cakey' in your name, having seen the reason why