Vet fee question

[I don’t like mondays]

Quick question- if your vet quoted you a fee verbally would you assume that was the total price you’d pay (including Vat)? I was quoted a price (which was already a lot and a stretch) but my actual bill is much higher because the price I was told didn’t include VAT. Thanks

 

[poiuytrewq]

No. I usually multiply it by about 3
I don’t think vets know the charges and I’m not saying that in a nasty way.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Unless you have asked for a price from the practise before hand. I mean when I’ve asked for a rough idea during an emergency

 

[I don’t like mondays]

I asked for a price before I booked the appointment over the phone and then on the day when we knew what treatment was needed. The price on the phone and on the day were the same but the bill had VAT added on so way more than I was expecting. I’m not very happy there was no mention of VAT not being included in any fee estimates

 

[poiuytrewq]

In that case I’d expect it to be right yes. How much over was it?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Sorry. I guess 20%!

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Quoted £700 but bill over £900 :-(

 

[SusieT]

I would expect VAT to be included and would write a letter outlining my complaint to the practice - Did you sign a consent form?

 

[I don’t like mondays]

I would expect VAT to be included and would write a letter outlining my complaint to the practice - Did you sign a consent form?

Ok, I’m pleased it’s not just me that thinks the price should include VAT. That’s a good point, no they didn’t get me to sign a consent form (at other vets I’ve always done this and that had the estimate)

 

[I don’t like mondays]

I’ve been feeling so anxious all day at the size of this bill (I paid it on the day). I honestly didn’t think it would cost almost £1,000 (work up, X-ray and steroids into hocks). My previous horse had several back X-rays, meso therapy and steroids into his back for £490

 

[SusieT]

I mean, the cost in itself is probably ok for that level of work these days . But I would have wanted a more thorough estimate. It may be worth asking if they would honour the estimate given assuming it was to include all the work that was done (e.g. if extra x-rays or medication was needed then you might assume it was going to be more). I would ask for the practice manager to give you a print out of how the estimate was reached initially and the final bill - this may focus their mind on whether they may have accidentally underestimated you.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

I mean, the cost in itself is probably ok for that level of work these days . But I would have wanted a more thorough estimate. It may be worth asking if they would honour the estimate given assuming it was to include all the work that was done (e.g. if extra x-rays or medication was needed then you might assume it was going to be more). I would ask for the practice manager to give you a print out of how the estimate was reached initially and the final bill - this may focus their mind on whether they may have accidentally underestimated you.

They have replied and said the estimate I was given didn’t include VAT (however they didn’t actually tell me that at any point)

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Regardless of which country you live in VAT/GST is usually excluded from all services quotes. Get into the habit of asking every plumber, builder, mechanic, vet - does this price VAT/GST?

While you are at it ask explicitly what the mileage fee will be and the call out fee. Those are usually in addition to any consult fee and materials/drugs.

With the price of fuel so high, expect the mileage fee/call out to be much larger than previously. Add the increased mileage fee/call out fee to the consult and then run VAT/GST over that number and you fee will be about 30% higher than you were quoted.

 

[MissTyc]

I was quoted £600 by my vet for laser sarcoid removal. On the day, they called me to say the bill would be higher as they had found a second small sarcoid nearby but that I could pay the difference next month if needed. The bill itself was £750 in the end, reflecting some extra time on the laser. The vat was included in the original quote and I have to admit I would have been surprised like you if it wasn't. I thought for private consumers, bills exclusing vat had to explicitly say this but I could be making that up - thought read that once relating to a dispute about a builder's invoice.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Regardless of which country you live in VAT/GST is usually excluded from all services quotes. Get into the habit of asking every plumber, builder, mechanic, vet - does this price VAT/GST?

While you are at it ask explicitly what the mileage fee will be and the call out fee. Those are usually in addition to any consult fee and materials/drugs.

With the price of fuel so high, expect the mileage fee/call out to be much larger than previously. Add the increased mileage fee/call out fee to the consult and then run VAT/GST over that number and you fee will be about 30% higher than you were quoted.

There was no call out fee because I took the horse to them

 

[Tiddlypom]

Oof, OP, you asked all the right questions beforehand and the estimate should, for a private client, have included VAT. That's a lot extra to have to pay.

My neds are not insured and my vet is very good at giving me accurate estimates of treatment beforehand. I've not thought about it before, but she automatically includes VAT in her estimates.

The overall bill for all the work you had done doesn't seem to be unduly high, though. I suspect that the best you will get is an apology from the practice and hopefully a promise to make sure that clients know whether or not any estimate includes VAT in future.

 

[ycbm]

I think it's a legal requirement for vat to be included in a business to consumer quote.

I suspect once they had done the work they just felt they had under quoted and added vat to make good, unless they are a farm practice used to quoting farmers.
.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

I think it's a legal requirement for vat to be included in a business to consumer quote.

I suspect once they had done the work they just felt they had under quoted and added vat to make good, unless they are a farm practice used to quoting farmers.
.

Thanks ycbm, that’s interesting about the legal requirement. I think I’ll call the bhs Monday to see what my rights are. They only deal with horses so no farmers

 

[ycbm]

Regardless of which country you live in VAT/GST is usually excluded from all services quotes.

I've looked it up and this is not true of England/Wales, I don't know about Scotland. From the Advertising Standards Authority (Google vat quotes)

Therefore, if your customers are consumers, all prices you quote should include VAT.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Oof, OP, you asked all the right questions beforehand and the estimate should, for a private client, have included VAT. That's a lot extra to have to pay.

My neds are not insured and my vet is very good at giving me accurate estimates of treatment beforehand. I've not thought about it before, but she automatically includes VAT in her estimates.

The overall bill for all the work you had done doesn't seem to be unduly high, though. I suspect that the best you will get is an apology from the practice and hopefully a promise to make sure that clients know whether or not any estimate includes VAT in future.

Thanks Tiddlypom. I always tell vets I’m not insured and they usually try to work to a budget and at least give you accurate fees

 

[I don’t like mondays]

I've looked it up and this is not true of England/Wales, I don't know about Scotland. From the Advertising Standards Authority (Google vat quotes)

Oh that’s good to know. Thanks for looking it up (I’m in England)

 

[PipsqueakXy22]

Quick question- if your vet quoted you a fee verbally would you assume that was the total price you’d pay (including Vat)? I was quoted a price (which was already a lot and a stretch) but my actual bill is much higher because the price I was told didn’t include VAT. Thanks

Not usually no, it’s hard to calculate the exact cost on the spot sometimes, and I guess it also depends when they quoted you, as if it was before a procedure they might end up having to use more drugs or spend longer, so I don’t think a verbal quotation is accurate usually. I have found that most of the time it does give me a rough ball park (like +/- £200) but it’s rarely accurate

 

[PipsqueakXy22]

Ok, I’m pleased it’s not just me that thinks the price should include VAT. That’s a good point, no they didn’t get me to sign a consent form (at other vets I’ve always done this and that had the estimate)

the VAT thing is annoying, but it doesn’t seem to be the norm to include it on an initial estimate. I remember when I asked for an estimate for all the work that would need done on my car after it failed MOT, and when I showed up to pay it was £140 more than I expected cause of VAT… same as when my boiler broke down a couple months back, it is annoying but seems to be standard practice

 

[BeansNsausages]

Very sneaky IMO.

It should not be up to the consumer to ask if a quote is inclusive of VAT. They should have been more transparent.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Not usually no, it’s hard to calculate the exact cost on the spot sometimes, and I guess it also depends when they quoted you, as if it was before a procedure they might end up having to use more drugs or spend longer, so I don’t think a verbal quotation is accurate usually. I have found that most of the time it does give me a rough ball park (like +/- £200) but it’s rarely accurate

The price before VAT is around what I was quoted so their quote is spot on. It’s the 20% VAT that’s been added on that’s increased it by 20% (but no mention was given to the figures I was quoted being exclusive of VAT)

 

[AmyMay]

They have replied and said the estimate I was given didn’t include VAT (however they didn’t actually tell me that at any point)

Was it an Estimate or a quote?

 

[PipsqueakXy22]

The price before VAT is around what I was quoted so their quote is spot on. It’s the 20% VAT that’s been added on that’s increased it by 20% (but no mention was given to the figures I was quoted being exclusive of VAT)

I see, yeah that’s annoying but i have learnt my lesson from the past so whenever I’m getting quotes I always ask now if that includes VAT as well

 

[I don’t like mondays]

I see, yeah that’s annoying but i have learnt my lesson from the past so whenever I’m getting quotes I always ask now if that includes VAT as well

I’m definitely going to ask in future and have everything in black and white. That doesn’t help my predicament that I’m I so out of pocket :-( annoyingly a local smaller vet quoted me a lot less for this so I would’ve chosen them had I realised such a huge cost difference

 

[ycbm]

the VAT thing is annoying, but it doesn’t seem to be the norm to include it on an initial estimate. I remember when I asked for an estimate for all the work that would need done on my car after it failed MOT, and when I showed up to pay it was £140 more than I expected cause of VAT… same as when my boiler broke down a couple months back, it is annoying but seems to be standard practice

You could refuse to pay it if it was a quote, not an estimate and you don't care if you upset the supplier.
.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Was it an Estimate or a quote?

Hard to say because nothing is in writing. On the phone when booking Id say it was an estimate, on the day during treatment (when they said what they would do) I’d say that’s a quote? The treatment didn’t deviate from what they’d said or had been agreed