I interviewed with Banfield for a receptionist (they call them like, CSC's or something?) position. I didn't like them because they were ALL about sales, and I am horrible at that because I am more of quiet type. I am not someone to talk up all their "packages" and "care plans" to a client, especially when so much of it is a waste of money. This is the same reason I got fired from the tanning salon I worked at 😉 haha
I personally don't like the way they operate, some do.
I work at a VCA now which as a whole VCA isn't a LOT better, but the HOSPITAL I work at was just bought by VCA a year ago and we are kind of not too "VCA-y" yet so I can handle it. Personally, I feel like you learn a lot more in a hospital that is privately owned and operated than anything corporate owned. This is because they let you do more, the vets are (usually) much happier, and you don't have the goal of ripping people off, and people don't feel like you do. You also don't have to hear people bitch about how you are just out for their money (as much anyway... lol). At VCA we get ripped a new one about our dispensing fee for meds and our "insane" charges for nail trims and anal glad expressions. We have free exams for first time clients with coupon and we havefive AMAZING doctors on staff, two of whom are specialists, one an ortho surgeon. I feel like it majorly depends on the clinic and the doctors for VCA. I love my clinic, but it was a privately owned clinic for 50+ years before it became VCA. We see a lot of really serious stuff, and it's interesting and fun. It's not a lot of turn around, which is awesome and says a lot 🙂
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I've looked at this post a few times, and I was not going to reply to it, but, I've decided to comment.
Businesses are usually in business to make money or turn a profit. I would like to think that the manner in which they conduct business is honest and, in the case of vet-med, in the best interest of the animal being cared for.
The VCA hospital I ran for over 10 years did not have a goal of ripping people off, nor is that ever going to be my goal nor M.O. as a veterinarian. "Ripping people off", IMO, implies dishonesty. I know your post is referring to your experiences, as mine does my own; one opinion for another.
If you want to argue that VCA, as a company, is in business to make money, that's absolutely true. If you want to argue that VCA hospitals charge more overall for their services vs. non-VCA hospitals, I also probably wouldn't argue that. It depends on the region, and, also, specific services.
There's a big debate going on, in the veterinary field, which if you look around on VIN, you can find many threads about. The whole issue of pricing, and charging for veterinary services, and what is 'too much' or 'too little', is a big issue. Public perception of the value of veterinary care is part of it. Also, how veterinarians perceived (and do perceive) the value of what they provide, is also part of it. I'm also talking about changes over time: 1990's (and prior), and the 2000's.
I don't mean to rail-road this thread. And it's one thing to debate whether certain services (or packaged services, as offered by some places) is 'necessary' for an animal, or not. Then, we can debate how much that service or product should cost (if any of us REALLY can know that).
Cost vs. value vs. perceived value vs. quality of service, etc. etc.
Anyway. I'll stop rambling. Generically speaking, one of my mentors used to say this (I know I've posted this before on here) - and I think it's mostly true:
Good.
Fast.
Cheap.
Pick two. You can't have all three.
