OK , how do I resolve this one now??

[Mskanga]

I just called the local vet to make arrangements to kennel my dog next month , I find out that my dog is not allowed to return to that kennel because 1- we still owe them $145 from the last time she was there and 2 because she bit one of the care takers when she was there.
1- I paid them with a money order and I know I did because when I was cleaning up my file cabinet a couple of months ago I found the receipt and I know they got it because I paid in person! , I tossed it out in the garbage because it's been two years from that and I didn't think I needed it anymore.
2- nobody told me about her biting anyone until now.

But what I am the most angry at is that in these two years nobody ever called me or sent me a bill asking for payment, if they had done it , I would have been able to show them the receipt, I threw it out thinking I did not need it anymore, what do I do now?? I told them to check their records real good on their books. They had no problem sending me reminders for shots and everything else, they said that they do this automatically without looking at the charts. I'm livid!!! Does that mean I will have to pay again?? I don't think so!

 

[RUDisney]

You can go back to the bank on which the money order was drawn and they can check their records regarding the payment... or lack thereof. It's possible that the kennel lost the check after you handed it to them so it was never deposited.

The first place that the bank should check is with its finance area. We keep copies of all outstanding cashiers checks and money orders and after 7 years (I think PA just changed it to 5 years) we have to send the money to the state if we can't get in touch with the payor or payee. If the check was cashed, the bank should be able to go back to its account statements or reconcilements to find out when the check was purchased. If you have the amount and date of the check, or at least a couple month timeframe in which you bought the check, research can be done. You'll be charged for this research, but it should be far less costly than having to come up with another $145.

I work for a community bank and if you were our customer, we'd also provide you with a letter stating that a check was purchased by you for "X Kennel Co." in the amount of $145 on MM/DD/YY so you have proof for the company that you were acting in good faith to pay them, whatever the circumstances were that caused the transaction to go awry. If you deal with a larger bank, you probably won't get a letter, and you may get a hard time. Don't take their guff. They have the information you need... they just need to research it.

Good luck!

 

[wvjules]

Even if you do get the payment worked out, you're still going to need to find a new kennel if your dog bit one of the employees. Start looking for a new kennel now so you can get arrangements made and not be stuck with no kennel.

 

[gepetto]

Money issues aside, it sounds like your dog wouldn't be allowed back anyway because it bit someone. Why don't you just take your dog somewhere else?

 

[Jenzebelle]

I would ask them for any proof/records of the dog biting someone.
Even before you start looking for another kennel. Since this is your vet, they might mention it when another kennel calls and asks for proof of shots and inquires about behavior issues.

I would then look for another kennel.

 

[Mskanga]

Well there's no question that I'm getting another kennel now but I think they should have informed me that the dog actually bit someone if she in fact did.
I was just talking to my friend, she was the one taking care of my dog almost two years ago so the mentioned charge and bite took place a little over 3 years ago now , the money order was purchased at the post office and without a money order number the post office says they cannot put a trace on it. What I am really mad about is that they not once contacted me about a bill by either mail or phone, but when I asked how comes they sent me reminders about shots they said they automatically do that without looking at charts.
I'm so dumbfounded on this one, besides that the dog has been there once more for rabies shots since then, and again nobody mentioned anything about any money being owed.
This is one place I don't want to go back to!

 

[Rollwithit]

Why haven't they ever mentioned this unpaid amount when you've brought the dog in for shots and exams? It's usually standard practice to mention a previous unpaid balance along with new charges.

And have you asked why they didn't mention that the dog bit someone when you picked it up? You should have been told of that incident right up front.

Time for a new vet.

 

[Mskanga]

I have asked those same questions Rollwithit, I got no answer. All I can do now is put a trace on unclaimed money orders through the postal service ( that is for money orders that have not been cashed ) but since it has our name on it, if in fact it has not been cashed , our name must be in their database, they said unless you ask them , they won't contact you , so that's what I am doing, if they don't have our names, that means they cashed it.
Do they really think if I owed them money and knew it I would go back there?? they have to be out of their minds!

 

[Rollwithit]

Dang! I guess if they want their money bad enough, they'll be in touch.

And my DH use to think I was nuts keeping a file in the cabinet on our dogs and any paperwork pertaining to them. Silly boy.