Vet Receptionist Vent-Long

[mylilnikita]

Today I took my puppy, 50lb German Shepard for her kennel cough shot and to get her nails clipped. I have taken 3 out of my 4 dogs to this vet, so many years of visits. A new receptionist was there. I just take my Driver's License and my credit card, because usually that is all I need. I've always been in excellent standing.
After my puppy was taken care of, I handed the receptionist my card and she said the credit machine was down-sorry don't know the proper word for it-ok, it would have been nice to know that so I could have gone home to get my check book. Anyway, I say I live not even 2 minutes away. She says she has to hold my puppy there until I get back, I just look at her and think my puppy cost way more than the 34.00 I need to pay you, but ok.
So she says she will keep her with her. I leave and come back with check in hand and the receptionist I dealt with isn't around and my puppy isn't either. I tell the other receptionist I need to pay for my puppy's treatment and I give her the check and she's says thank you and starts to walk off, I say where is my puppy? I told her what the other receptionist said and how my dog was supposed to be with her behind the counter.
The girl finds the other girl and she had put my puppy in a cage in the back. Now the 2nd receptionist knows myself and my dogs and says she just thought I had left my puppy in the car-I never leave my dogs in a hot car during a heat wave not even for 5 minutes. So she talks to the new girl and she comes over to apologizes.
I ask why did you put my puppy in a cage and she said she wasn't sure how long I would be gone, I say I told you I don't even live 2 minutes away. Then I said I hate to see what you do if someone bounces a check, are you going to come to the person's house and take their animals until you get the money back. Vent over thank you for reading.

 

[ilovepcot]

You were soooo nice. I wouldn't have been.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Wow, with her attitude. I'm surprised she didn't charge you a fee to kennel your dog!

It was not your fault the line was down to the credit card company. Since you are a long-standing patient, the assistant should have told you to mail a check in.

That new girl has a screw loose!

TC

 

[Aimeedyan]

I would have never left the dog behind - you're way nicer than me!

 

[Stacerita]

I agree. I wouldn't have left my puppy. I would have asked for the other receptionist and tell her I would be back. Or ask them to bill me. They should have told you the machine wasn't working when you got there.

 

[Divamomto3]

I wouldn't have left the puppy behind as collateral. If this were a pediatrician's office and you forgot your checkbook, would they expect you to leave your kid until you got back? A vet's office above anyone should know that our pets are members of our families. What they did to you is the most bizzare thing I've heard in a while.

 

[AnnetteF]

I would either speak to the vet about it or write a letter to him/her to let them know of the incident.

 

[Kallison]

Personally I would have said - sorry, I'm a regular patient here, I WILL return with your check and I AM taking my puppy.

 

[mking624]

I don't have a dog...I have 2 guinea pigs...but no way would I have left them there if that wasn't what was intended for the visit. They could have simply sent you a bill if they were concerned about it.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Well I travel 21 miles one way to get to my vets office. So, no, I wouldn't have left my animal & gone home. Been going there 19 yrs & have spent a small FORTUNE on 2 sick cats. They can bill me or I'll mail it in. Too bad.

 

[MeanLaureen]

Wow, I would have never left my dog behind. I would have told them to get me a chair and a soft drink because I was going to sit there and wait until their charge machince came back online or they came to their customer service senses.

Heck, we have a grocery store here in Richmond that trusts their customers so much that if you forget your checkbook you can take home $100 worth of groceries and bring them the check next time you are there.. no collateral, just sign your name next to the amount. And this is no Mom/Pop operation - they have 30 some stores and have driven all major grocery chains except Kroger out of Richmond.

Even Chick-fil-a one morning had their machines go down when I had stopped there for breakfast and they just handed me the stuff and told me to take it because it was their fault they couldn't take my payment, not theirs.

 

[aprilgail2]

I wouldn't have left mine there..and they wouldn't have wanted him, he is a biter! But besides that I just would have asked to speak to the vet himself/herself and it would have been settled right there, no way would he make me leave the dog, we have been going there for 30+ years!!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I would never have left my dog behind. I have a hamster and he would have been going with me. I would have let them copy down all my license info and left my credit card as collateral, or SOMETHING other than leaving my hammy.

Like Aprilgail said, I would have spoken to the vet who knew me.

 

[lisajl]

Sorry folks, some vet offices do that.
If you could see what people owe my boss you would be appalled.
Now, while we don't keep animals as collateral...too much trouble...we have been tempted before.
With our long standing clients, we do not have a problem with having them go and bring back money, or send in a check. No problems...
With new people, that come in say "My dog is sick", you do everything you can, bring the dog back from the dead, then you hear, well, I don't have any money. "Aren't you suppose to fix my dog?" Ummm...well.....you still have to pay for the work!

So, yes, the new receptionist needs some help. Most likely the other recp., spoke to the doctor about it. I'm sure they will have a meeting about it.
That is what happens at our place.

Lisa

 

[TerriP]

No way in "Satan's Home Town" would I leave my dog as collateral!! Crazy, nut-job receptionist!

There's a professional way to handle clients and this chickie has no idea how to do that. Her way is...well, MAFIA! "Give us our fifty bucks or the puppy gets it!" <lol> Or maybe her last job was with a collections company!

I'm sure she'll get better as she gets used to how a vet's office is run.