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Bastien Vet Deceptive pricing to lure in customers Ripoff Peterborough Ontario Canada
I took in a kitten when there was the big Peterborough flood in 2004. Before I did so I called around and checked prices at several vets offices to make certain that I could afford the appropriate medical care - including spaying, choosing the lowest quote of the over ten places I called upon.
I was not told that I needed to return for the 2nd set of shots within 30 days or have to repay the intitial shot charge of more than $40.
I was told spaying was approximately $187 - until I booked the spaying appt - at that point i was told I needed to get her shots done all over again because I did not get the 2nd set within a 30 day period (I'm thrifty - I would not have forgotten this crucial piece of info!)
I was also not given a second quote on the phone when I wanted to verify the initial price I was given - I was told that info would be mailed out to me.
I received a package in the mail a few days later, and it listed the little "extras" I would probably want to have for my pet -"little" things not included in the price I was quoted before I made my 1st appt for shots for my kitten.
These little extras were pretty basic common sense things - all told I would have to pay almost $300! Plus approx $40 for another set of 1st shots because they did not tell me beforehand about the 30 day condition. Quite a difference!
Included in these extras - pain meds - (the same kind I take and pay less than $5 for!) listed for $25 dollars!
Get real - this is deceptive marketing at best!
Me
peterborough, Ontario
Canada
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Joe
Virginia Beach,Virginia,
U.S.A.
You had the option of cancelling your appointment and going to another vet
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, June 30, 2005
Origionally you stated you called over 10 places, and went with the lowest quote. You were price shopping, not looking for a good vet.
Next you complained that you were not told you would have to return in 30 days to get cat revaccinated. Bad practice on the vets part, you should have been advised to return. You would still have to pay the vacc. charge wether you did it in 30 days, or at time of spaying. Then you complain about being sent a list of extras to consider. You indicated, outside of the vacc. requirements, these were optional. You were told in advance via a pamplet they sent you how much extras would be. Did you call the vet and ask them to explain? Did you give the vet an opportunity to tell you that the medication they use to do the surgery does provide pain relief, some people just want their pets to have more and this is an option they offer Or did you just jump on here and complain. As for your $5 pain medication, is that your insurance deductable? Origionally I felt sorry for you. But the more I read your report, the more I feel that you wanted something for nothing, forgetting that the veterinary hospitals have staff to support (with families to feed) bills to pay etc. They didn't decieve you, they sent you information in advance. You had the option of cancelling your appointment and going to another vet. Nothing deceptive about the marketing, you were told in advance what things would cost if you went to their clinic. Now if you had said they chalked all these charges up after you dropped the cat off to be spayed, it would be a different story. You were told in advance.
Me
Peterborough,Ontario,
Canada
I am not here to quibble over details, except to explain they did not explain the details
#6Author of original report
Wed, June 29, 2005
I have read your comments. Let me assure you that I did not only make my decision based on price - but on friendliness on the phone (person that person had keft the organization) and lack of complaints with the BBB. In a new community one may not have friends to ask for referrals, and needs to rely on the info provided by the company, and that is what I did.
I am not here to quibble over details, except to explain they did not explain the details - if one is new to sumthing there is no way to know what questions to ask - one needs to trust the info given by vendors - all businesses work that way. I responded to this, because it was clear to me that they were not giving all the info I needed, and I indicated I was ignorant to the whole thing and this was my first time.
Just because you are experienced in this arena, please recognized that we are all not, at some point everything is new to everybody.
I made the best decision I could based on the info I was given - too bad the vendor ddint' offer up all the info - that was my point.
Me
Peterborough,Ontario,
Canada
I am not here to quibble over details, except to explain they did not explain the details
#6Author of original report
Wed, June 29, 2005
I have read your comments. Let me assure you that I did not only make my decision based on price - but on friendliness on the phone (person that person had keft the organization) and lack of complaints with the BBB. In a new community one may not have friends to ask for referrals, and needs to rely on the info provided by the company, and that is what I did.
I am not here to quibble over details, except to explain they did not explain the details - if one is new to sumthing there is no way to know what questions to ask - one needs to trust the info given by vendors - all businesses work that way. I responded to this, because it was clear to me that they were not giving all the info I needed, and I indicated I was ignorant to the whole thing and this was my first time.
Just because you are experienced in this arena, please recognized that we are all not, at some point everything is new to everybody.
I made the best decision I could based on the info I was given - too bad the vendor ddint' offer up all the info - that was my point.
Me
Peterborough,Ontario,
Canada
I am not here to quibble over details, except to explain they did not explain the details
#6Author of original report
Wed, June 29, 2005
I have read your comments. Let me assure you that I did not only make my decision based on price - but on friendliness on the phone (person that person had keft the organization) and lack of complaints with the BBB. In a new community one may not have friends to ask for referrals, and needs to rely on the info provided by the company, and that is what I did.
I am not here to quibble over details, except to explain they did not explain the details - if one is new to sumthing there is no way to know what questions to ask - one needs to trust the info given by vendors - all businesses work that way. I responded to this, because it was clear to me that they were not giving all the info I needed, and I indicated I was ignorant to the whole thing and this was my first time.
Just because you are experienced in this arena, please recognized that we are all not, at some point everything is new to everybody.
I made the best decision I could based on the info I was given - too bad the vendor ddint' offer up all the info - that was my point.
Joe
Virginia Beach,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Bastein Vet no communicating properly
#6Consumer Comment
Tue, June 28, 2005
May sound rude, but it needs to be said. Next time, don't select your vet on price alone. Get references from friends. Often the cheapest over the phone, end up being more expensive in long run. Having worked in the veterinary field for 13 years (small animals), I can assure you nothing you reported was wrong. The error was made in the veterianrian and staff via lack of good communication. The requirements of having the cat re-vacc. is standard. You would have had to repay even if they did it within the 30 days. They should have explained to you the importance of having it done in that time frame. I can go on and on, but my suggestion is that you find a veterinarian who will communicate with you better. Nothing you reported was out of line or deceptive, again it's common practice, however, they should have done a better job explaining things to you. Get a better veterinarian, one that will take the time to talk to you and explain. Don't go by price alone.