Receiving a vets bill by text?

[Piaffey]

Is this common practice?

I had to get a vet out for my mare a few weeks ago. 2 days in a row, Sunday and Monday. On the Tuesday I received a text message from the Vets practice telling me how much my bill was and that, if I paid for it within the next 48 hours, I would receive a 5% discount.
Obviously, as I was in hospital I was unable to pay it anyway but, I wasn't happy about paying it until I had seen the bill itimised. I received an itimised bill, through the post, a week and a half later, so would not have been able to receive a 5% discount anyway.

Is this common practice? My partner feels this shouldn't even be allowed but, having never come across this before, I have no idea.

 

[biccie1]

Why shouldn't it be allowed? Bit confused there.

I'd say its a great idea. You're not forced to pay it following the text, but if you are happy to you get a discount I assume as it saves the vet work / cost. Obviously if you have a vague idea what the bill should be it helps as you can be comfortable its correct.

My vet sends me a text to remind me jabs are due. We have this technology so seems a good idea to make use of it.

 

[Ibblebibble]

with one of my vets is you pay on the day of the visit you get a discount but i've never had a bill via text, if i pay on the day i don't get the itemised receipt until later and it's never been a problem. with the other vet he has a laptop in the car so you can look at that and see the itemised bill before you pay him, again it's a discount for paying on the day

 

[Rudolph's Red Nose]

I think it is a good idea, anything to save pennies ...

My vet offers a free call out day once a week in my area, you have to book 24 hrs in advance and as long as its not an insurance claim then they dont charge the call out fee ... which I think is brill too especially for routine checks, jabs etc..

 

[Mithras]

As long as it is backed up by a proper bill I think it would be ok. Vets are professionals and have to adhere by certain "fiduciary" duties, including client confidentiality, acting in a proper manner at all times, etc.. So the dangers of texts is that (a) it could go to the wrong person but more pertinently (b) there is no paper record if not immediately followed by a written bill to the client. They also need to keep files with full records for professional accounting purposes, proof of drugs sold should it later be queried, etc. so a paper bill should always be sent contiguously. I don't think a solicitor, for example, would get away with only sending bills by text, and I don't see any reason why vets should be different, particularly when they are prescribing controlled drugs.

 

[planete]

i registered with a new practice and had my first visit for jabs a few weeks ago. We pay at end of visit and receive an itemised bill via email a few days later. I have no objections.

 

[riding_high]

i wouldn't mind getting a text to tell me how much i owed so long as they also sent out a paper bill or itemised it by text (sometimes tricky as limited on amount of characters that can be used!). maybe speak to the practice and let them know your thoughts and maybe give them a few ideas (like extending the discount by maybe another day or 2).

 

[Maesfen]

I'd be furious if it wasn't followed up with a printed bill asap. I wouldn't mind an email but not a text after all, we pay enough I'm sure they can afford the stamp, paper and ink.

 

[Dancing Queen]

not very professional IMHO!
my vets issue me with a bill at the end of the month - we are on account.

 

[ExpressPrincess]

Have just posted in the vets forum - http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=475202 - Personally I would have hit the roof if i got this invoice via text!!! But having said that would not have had a problem with routine treatment cost coming though that way - would also like the 5% discount! I guess it depends how it is used but it could seem a bit cold and hurried when like myself you have had a loss of a horse and get bills thrown at you left and right.

 

[Mithras]

tbh I wouldn't even pay a plumber's bill sent by text - I'd want to scrutinise it first and check its going through the books!

 

[Flummoxed]

I think it would be fair enough provided it had been agreed in advance. Personally, I wouldn't like it, but I would be happy to receive my vet's bill by e-mail (as a pdf attachment). I already settle vet's bills swiftly to gain their settlement discount via my online banking and am all in favour of using e-mail for invoices - as I deal with many of these at work.