I didn't take my dog there. This is about customer service. As with everything else, I am a…read morecomparison shopper. With vets, I have discovered that there is virtually no relationship between price and quality of service. My dog requires a teeth cleaning. He already had a physical exam and blood test, so all set to go. The vet (West Allis Vet Clinic) who did the prelim work charged about $300 for that and antibiotics for a gum infection. Seemed like a lot compared to our vet in Florida where we stay half the year, but not outrageously so. Then I began the process of getting base prices and price per extraction (uncomplicated). West Allis charges about $500 for the cleaning plus $11/small wiggly tooth, although a complex tooth could be as much as $1200 to extract safely. They were very forthcoming. Then I called elsewhere, and prices were all over the place. I was concerned that West Allis was bought out by private equity and their prices would be inflated as a result. That didn't so far appear to be much of an issue. Riverwest, which advertises itself as the alternative to those rapacious private equity clinics, however, was the only clinic that refused to give me price information. When I said I was comparison shopping, the receptionist became quite rude in fact. She said that if I want cheap I should look outside of Milwaukee! She also lied and claimed that all vets in our area charge about the same. So not true! For example, Community Veterinary Clinic charges a base rate of $900 for teeth cleaning,vand as much as $3000 with extractions!
I have found that non-private equity clinics, such as Shorewood often charge very high prices for everything, in fact whatever the market will bear it seems, telling customers in not so many words that if you love your pet then money should be no object, which is nonsensical. Case in point, our vet in Florida charges a base rate of $350 for teeth cleaning. Very inexpensive for everything. A walk-in clinic for routine stuff, no appointment required. They aren't fancy, don't landscape around the building, generally don't let owners into the building, but are very kind and communicative, and clearly the vet, who is the owner, loves animals and is not in the business to get rich, providing top quality service to owners of all income levels.
Bottom line: when someone refuses to give you an estimate (for your pet, car, plumbing, and so on), go somewhere else.
