Dental Clinic error - What would you do?

[Huntingwhale]

Pay what you were quoted. It's not your problem they aren't organized.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Buff

I would pay $2500. They quoted you $2500, that is what you pay. Their mistake. Too bad, so sad. You go to a store to buy a toaster and the price on the shelf says $20, but they forgot to change the label, the price in the system is actually $30. Too bad for them, you pay $20. Same rules apply at the dentist.


I think the dentist was hoping that you would fork over the $6000 if they mentioned their mistake, but were prepared to only charge what they quoted.

The toaster example isn't always correct. If they advertised the price in a flyer of $10, but it was a mistake and should have been $30, they don't have to sell it to you for $10.

If they have a sticker that says $20, but it rings up $30, they don't have to sell to you at that price. Many stores, like Safeway, will give you the item for free (up to $10, limit of one) if the sticker price is higher than the register price. Often though, you have to pay for it, and get it adjusted at customer service. If you notice it while it is rung in, they usually just adjust the price to the lower amount at that time.

To stretch your example to an extreme, if an employee of a car dealership was angry at his boss and put $1 stickers on all the cars, the dealership wouldn't have to sell every car at $1, just because there was a sticker on it. I believe (and correct me if I'm wrong) that the stickers and flyers are invitations to treat, and thus are not an accepted offer.

If someone gave me a quote, and it was in writing, I'd expect that was the most it could be. I would guess there is also a difference between a quote and a contract, but I don't know the legal specifics.

In the OP's case, I'd be really angry if they charged me $6,000. I'd be under the assumption that the price was the same if they didn't tell me until after the procedure was done. It would be unacceptable they wouldn't tell you of the change and give you a choice. If you brought the toaster up to the till and it was $500, not $30, you wouldn't be forced to buy it and could walk away. They owe you the same courtesy here.

[Zevo]

Dental surgeons are very well paid...probably on the higher end of the specialists out there. No need for guilt, if that's what you are feeling. It may take them a whole days worth of work to make up for the loss of thier mistake.

[Jimmy Stang]

That is a substantial difference in cost. Had you been quoted $6000 originally, you likely would have at least explored other options, offices, decided to delay, figured out another arrangement, shoved a chiclet in there , etc. You would have shopped around. You made a decision to have the procedures done based on that quote, and the difference is far to great to be deemed acceptable.

[Flashpoint]

You are depending on their professionalism when you ask for a quote. If they are off by over 100% when they give you their quote, then why is it your responsibility to "fix" it?

Glad you have the quote in writing. If you didn't, you'd probably wind up in court when they sued you for the balance.

[AMG_G]

I don't think you should pay more than the agreed price. Don't feel guilty about it too because if you were given the correct quote you would have explored other options. This was kindof rammed down your throat.

[rayne008]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Sounds to me this isn't an unforseen situation, it's just an error.

Example: If they quoted you $500 (or whatever) for a root canal, and then it turns out you actually needed 2 root canals, then it's reasonable for the price to go up.

It sounds like here she was getting one cap/veneer, and they quoted it wrong, and then want the extra money. That's not unexpected or new information, that's a mistake in the quote, which they should honor, especially since they've already done the work.

In my example, I ended up having 3 root canals on the same tooth! Basically took 7 visits to the dentist to get rid of my pain, and in the end finally pulled the tooth,

They tried to bill me for the 2 root canals, ended up paying for 1, numerous xrays, and finally an extraction. I'm not a fan of dentist treating my insurance like a black check, but when you are in mind numbing pain for weeks, I really had no choice. That was not a fun summer.

I understand it was a tricky tooth, but shouldn't have to shell out $3k + for a 1K procedure.

Back to topic, estimates are done to give reasonable idea of costs, allowing the customer to make a reasonable decision.
In my case, I wanted the tooth pulled on 1st visit, ended up wasting a summer in pain and cost the insurance a boatload of money.

[Halfcreek]

If they had come to you beforehand, or even said to your wife when she was in the chair that the quote was wrong, I could see maybe meeting int hemiddle. But a quote is a quote and they went ahead with the work without mentioning the change to you.
Don't pay the difference. And I would find a new dentist office so they don't "adjust pricing" in the future to make up for the mistake.

[Table 5]

In case anyone is wondering who the one moron is who would pay the full amount, that's me and my buttery fingers pressing the wrong button.

[Voodooman]

I wouldn't pay anymore either, based solely on the fact that they were attempting to gouge you brutally.

Think about it, their lab costs were $1,800, so they expect you to believe that their inhouse costs were $4,200? You stated that you picked up your wife 2.5 hours after you dropped her off, so she was in the chair for a maximum of 2 hours.

The clinic manager is trying to get you to cover their lost profits, not their costs. They were planning to slap a nifty 100% mark-up on the lab costs, and then still charge $1,200 per hour in the office.

I'd be willing to bet that their office costs are about $400 - $500 per hour, based on space and staff. Of course you would still expect them to make a profit, so even stating $800 an hour for chair time means that your wife's work should have cost somewhere around $3,500, maybe even $4,000 all said and done.

If they could have shown you invoices stating that their outside costs were $2,500, then I could see them asking for more money. But quoting $6,000 is an outright ripoff. Don't pay another cent, and find another practictioner. Because if you don't, they'll get their money from you in the long run.

[Flamesoholic]

I wouldn't pay the extra either, especially because you have the original quote in writing. I would pay the first quoted price and then I would start looking for a new dentist. I wouldn't want them to try to "recoup their costs" in later visits with unnecessary treatments.

[csnarpy]

If they realized the mistake prior to the procedure then they get the full amount. If you go ahead then the quoted price is what you pay.
Are you a regular patient? Are you ever going to go back there? If not then definitely do not pay a cent more. Trust me, they will make it up.

[surferguy]

what would you do if the situation was with a
plumber?
roofer?
electrician?
handyman?

Just because its a dentist it doesn't mean ####.

[Kipper is King]

They misquoted you. It is absolutely not your fault.

You asked how much it would cost, and authorized them to go ahead on the basis of that cost.

They cannot come back to you later saying "oopsie!"

I hope you have paperwork for the original quote?

[Northendzone]

do you have a detailed treatment plan that outlines the breakdown of the $2,500 cost - it it the smae treatment plan as the $6,000 plan?

i'd feel bad, and might offer to pay anotehr $500 - but that is it. they have to eat the difference. I'd also continue going to them if they eat teh $3,000 as it gives them a chance to make some of the money back. if they become difficult about ti all, i'd quit going there.

as an aside, alberta blue cross offers dental plans for individulas - perhaps it would make sense for you to look and see if one of these plans fits your needs

[mrkajz44]

For me it is all about timing. If they had notified you before the procedure, then you'd have to reconsider with the new price, regardless of the original quote. Since the procedure was already done, the quote turns into the agreed on price. Simple as that, at least in my eyes.

[surferguy]

step 1: go to dentist
step 2: receive bill
step 3: write cheque for quoted amount
step 4: hand over cheque
step 5: put on sunglasses
step 6: dramatic pause
step 7: State "CHEW on this...."
step 8:

[You Need a Thneed]

It is completely unprofessional of them to even bring up their mistake.

[Deegee]

Don't pay extra and find a new dentist.

I am going to tell my son to be a dentist. They make truckloads of cash.

Even hygienists make 90K/year+.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

If their explanation felt reasonable i would think about paying something, but I am a sucker that way.

That said if it were my biz I would explain what happened, explain that we not charging and ask for some goodwill referrals and return business. Probably get more value that way.