Charging for something not on the quote?

[Hormonal Filly]

Asking as interested in your opinions.

Had some portable x-rays a few weeks ago on a horse. The x-rays clearly showed the problem, we discussed and decided how to treat it which involved going to the hospital with a vet specializing in this area. Due to me paying the bill myself, and having no insurance, I asked the vet hospital doing the treatment to draw up a quote for the what was required so I knew the amount and was told the sedation amount price varies on what he needs (I agreed) I had this emailed to me with a 30 day limit on the quote and treatment was done within the time.

I was called in to see my horse at the clinic after he had been sedated and put into a examination room, mainly to talk to the specialist vet before treating and discuss the future etc. The vet told me he had decided to re x-ray his neck to get a clearer image and had already done this without consulting me. The x-ray showed the same as the portable machine just slightly clearer, but it still resulted in the same steriod treatment in the same location as I had arranged with my vet and the hospital before (and on the quote) baring in mind the portable x-ray was only taken a

I have been charged around £175 extra for this x-ray which I did not agree to or know anything about until after they were done. If I was asked if I wanted more x-rays taken I would of said no, I have already spent a fortune on the horse and don't have the funds to spend £175 on getting a clearer image when it results in the same treatment.

Currently waiting to hear back from the vets as have questioned it. The vets at the hospital were outstanding and really did a great job, as well as my horse being so well cared for by the grooms for the few hours he was there. If I was rich I would not moan at a extra few hundred pound, but I really am currently a very skint horse owner just about affording to keep a roof over my head. :-(

 

[ester]

IME it is usual for treating referral vets to want to do their own images, but yes they really should have included that on the quote if they had access to the portable image initially to know they would want to redo it.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

IME it is usual for treating referral vets to want to do their own images, but yes they really should have included that on the quote if they had access to the portable image initially to know they would want to redo it.

Apologies, I didn't add its the same practice and company just we had to visit the hospital for the injection instead of everything being done at the yard so we weren't 'referred' as such I don't think?

 

[ester]

Even more reason for them to have given an accurate quote I would think as would have full access to notes?

 

[AmyMay]

If it was a quote, then they can't charge you any extra, regardless of any other 'costs' incurred.

A quote is, I believe, legally binding.

 

[meleeka]

If it was a quote, then they can't charge you any extra, regardless of any other 'costs' incurred.

A quote is, I believe, legally binding.

I believe so too, or it would be have been an estimate. I run a business and we’ve lost money on many occasions because things take longer than we thought they would. It does say on our T&C’s “Any further work found will be notified to you for your approval before being carried out.” I think that’s pretty standard.

A similar thing happened to me with a referral. These days I would ask to go straight to the hospital if there was any possibility of my horse going there as they just re-did all the tests that my own vet did. Luckily on that occasion he was insured.

 

[ihatework]

I’m usually on the side of the vet in these kind of posts, but in this instance I wouldn’t be paying for repeat X-rays of the neck without having authorised

 

[Red-1]

As you had gone to the trouble of having a quote, you should not be charged extra without having given the OK for more investigations.

If it were me I would pay the exact fee that you were quoted, with a letter explaining why you have excluded the extra work that was not quoted for or agreed. If you have free legal cover I would run the wording by them first.

 

[Graeme Burt farrier]

I think its common sense, whenever I give a quote for shoeing work, if its changed due to an unforseen circumstance I always consult the client first before proceeding.
Most people budget for things, and if they are prepared, they can do that. If they dont have the money, I usually can find some savings another way but if its not so good, I will point out the differences.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Thank you all!

As you had gone to the trouble of having a quote, you should not be charged extra without having given the OK for more investigations.

If it were me I would pay the exact fee that you were quoted, with a letter explaining why you have excluded the extra work that was not quoted for or agreed. If you have free legal cover I would run the wording by them first.

I do have legal cover with the horse insurance so may give them a call if it comes to that.

Thank you for all your comments.

 

[fiestiemaestie]

but is it definitely a quote and nit an estimate?

 

[rara007]

A quote or an estimate?