I really hate it when people don't make sense...to me. Yesterday was Hooch's yearly visit to the vet. After the usual physical and stool exam and a couple of smaller vaccinations, I headed out to pay and also pick up his yearly supply of heartworm medicine.
I had noticed that our vet had a website and earlier in the day, had perused their new online store to see how much the heartworm medication was. For Hooch's size, it was $88.99 for a year and with free shipping. Not a bad price when I don't break it down too much and realize that it's only for 12 tablets. As I was paying, I saw that the vet had charged me $114 for the same thing. I didn't say anything because I thought maybe I was looking at the wrong item on the website so I headed home and rechecked. Nope, I was right. The online price is $88.99.
I called the vet this morning to ask why there is a $25.01 discrepancy. If anything, I would have thought it would have been more expensive online. The receptionist gave me some lame excuse about vendors so, realizing she was merely the receptionist and probably not involved in the ordering of supplies, I asked if the vet that owns the clinic could call or email me and explain. As she was hemming and hawwing, I told her that I would just send my question via the Contact Us option on the website to which she agreed that was the best option since he receives those messages.
After I told her that I would see her this afternoon to return the $114 heartworm medicine, I went back out and set up an account though the clinic's online store and purchased it there for $88.99. At the end, as I was reviewing the order, I noticed that besides the sales tax, there was a 'pharmacy fee' of $5 (new total: $99.33) and the clincher: the vet has to approve the filling of this before they could process the order. At this point, I was exasperated. Why can't the clinic price match their own online store? If for some strange reason that I can't fathom they can't do that, why doesn't the clinic let people know that it is cheaper if they do it online? The receptionist told me that if I returned the $114 one, the $6 rebate may not be applicable which is interesting because the form is from the maker of the heartworm medicine and it only says that a yearly supply of this medication needs to be purchased, not purchased at a certain amount.
On my way home today, I will be returning the overpriced one and awaiting the other one that needs a vet approval. I love the junior vet that works at this clinic (which is why I always make Hooch a Wednesday appointment when it's usually just him) and really do not like the vet owner the few times I have seen and dealt with him (Do you really need to put an 80 lb dog on the table to examine him, you old quack?) but I'm hoping I run into him so that I can finally get some mental relief as to why this is as it is...or could it be just the way it is? If so, why?
Update: I just got the automated email saying that the old quack has approved the prescription. I wonder if he felt my stink eye.
7 comments:
is that for 12 pills? My vet only gives out 8, figuring that December through March the dog doesn't need the drug... and if I remember correctly, it's about $65, which I'm sure is more than buying online. Have you checked out the pet.com (I think that's it) sites?
I think my dog's worm pills only came to a couple bucks a piece. What it this world coming too?
It is for 12 pills. I did check 1800petmeds and for a year and his weight, it was about the same - $84. Maybe I need to drive 2 hours west and get it from yours.
Wow, that's pretty crazy. I love pets, but they sure are pricy!
My dog weighs 60 pounds-is Hooch the same size?
He's a tad bigger. He's about 78 lbs.
I wonder if they make generic Interceptor.
It's been awhile since I had a dog. Yikes, prices have gone up.
Cheers.
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