Love THIS!

I like to discuss a variety of issues relating to animals and veterinary medicine. As my regular readers know, I don't just talk about cases I see or educate on specific animal diseases.


This article is a perfect example of something we deal with on a regular basis and that, frankly, can kill a business - or at least, stifle it's growth! It's deadbeat clients and sadly, I believe my yellow cat's owner is one of them.


The Cost of Deadbeat Clients


An except I particularly loved is:

Some companies take a cheekier approach. Cliff Stepp, owner of SteppUp Consulting, a branding and marketing company in Arroyo Grande, Calif., learned from his bookkeeper that sending out overdue reminders in sealed envelopes was too subtle.

“She bought a bunch of vacation post cards, and on the message side wrote: ‘We wish we were here, but can’t afford it because you haven’t paid your bill,’” said Stepp. “Her rationale was that the message on the card was public, and that employees might see it. After the third post card, one company that owed us $1,400 paid up in full. That was three years ago and we’ve had a couple of occasions to use that strategy again.”

If you've been in this business any length of time, this sort of stuff growths thin. Time and time again, you lose money because of compassion. There is a very good reason many vets do not accept payment plans. This is especially true of "new" clients. Yes, like yellow cat owner, who was having his dad help him pay but is now not returning phone calls.

Our suppliers - of drugs, medical equipment, surgery equipment, our laboratories and our staff all expect to be paid. The mortgage or lease is due each month. There are taxes. Electric bills. General office supplies. The list goes on. I tell this to people. Flat out. If you want to have a vet to go to, pay your bills!


As it says in the Bible (as a matter of principal = no matter what you intend to do, build a barn, agree to host a party, consent to being in a wedding or acquire a pet - first count the cost and then have integrity):  

New Living Translation (©2007) "But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?