Deposit paid and price increased

jojoffion

Hi, I'll try keep this brief.  I had to take 8 puppies to the vet yesterday for standard treatment (vacs, chips etc)  When I booked the treatment (via the phone) I was told I would need to pay a 50% deposit there and then which I did.  The lady on the phone checked the price twice and then took payment of the deposit.  She did mention that the prices were increasing that evening but only by a few pounds. (I have a witness to the conversation).  On collecting the puppies after treatment the bill had risen for £423.84 to £595.12.  I felt I had no choice but to pay the balance.  

Is it correct that they can increase the price after a deposit? Nothing was mentioned at the time of treatment and I had already been told the price would increase by a 'few pounds'? 

Sandtree

jojoffion said:

Is it correct that they can increase the price after a deposit? Nothing was mentioned at the time of treatment and I had already been told the price would increase by a 'few pounds'? 

In principle yes, as long as they told you before they contracted with you. Its up to you to decide if you are comfortable with the level of uncertainty at the point of contracting. A friend entered into a contract to sell gold and the contract said the price would be 5% above the daily spot rate so the amount could vary massively depending on movements of the underlying gold price.

My assumption would be the price is per vaccine that's going up a few pounds and so at a minimum it would be 8 times a few pounds. If they are having 2 vaccines each then that 16 (8x2) times a few pounds. Why didn't you clarify the next day before it being too late to back out?

Olinda99

I would talk to the practice again and see if you can reach a compromise. Depending on the level of committment you feel towards the practice you could also raise a formal complaint with them (google procedure) but obviously that might sour relations going forward.

powerful_Rogue

I'm sure you'll be able to add the cost onto the puppies when you sell them............

jojoffion

The puppies aren't being sold. I'm not a breeder. They were accidental and have been rehomed FOC to family and friends.  I have taken full responsibility for these puppies at my own personal cost! 

sheramber

£172 for 8 puppies.

vacs and microchipping increasing by 'a few pounds' plus added 20%  VAT is only £21 per puppy - a few pounds each puppy.

born_again

jojoffion said:

The puppies aren't being sold. I'm not a breeder. They were accidental and have been rehomed FOC to family and friends.  I have taken full responsibility for these puppies at my own personal cost! 

maybe ask them for a small donation towards vets costs. If they are getting a puppy for free then £75 for vets fee's will be nothing compared to what they will be spending.

Just phrase it nicely. "I've just had a shock £600 vet bill for all the vac's & chips" If they are friends they will offer to pay

Thrugelmir

You could have waited to the following day to see what the revised price would be. There's some very sharp price increases at the moment. Vets are no different in having to pass these on. 

ThumbRemote

I have to say I entirely disagree with some of the posters here. a 40% increase is absolutely not 'a few pounds'.

Contractually you had agreed to pay £423 plus a few pounds, which in the worst case at 'a few' times 8 puppies would be £20 - £40, not an extra £170. They cannot unilaterally increase the contract price the way they did. 

However, unfortunately you've paid now, so it'll be far harder to get your money back than it would be to dispute it up front. Maybe write to the vets stating you have been overcharged, and requesting the overpaid money back. You've got nothing to lose for it. 

ThumbRemote

sheramber said:

£172 for 8 puppies.

vacs and microchipping increasing by 'a few pounds' plus added 20%  VAT is only £21 per puppy - a few pounds each puppy.

In no sense is £21 'a few pounds', plus for consumers it is expected that prices include VAT. 

Thrugelmir

ThumbRemote said:

sheramber said:

£172 for 8 puppies.

vacs and microchipping increasing by 'a few pounds' plus added 20%  VAT is only £21 per puppy - a few pounds each puppy.

In no sense is £21 'a few pounds', plus for consumers it is expected that prices include VAT. 

Per puppy it's a few pounds per item though...