debt collection letter
Discussion
Ive had a debt collection letter from the vets, £53. When the cat went in for its yearly injection they said he had missed the previous year and would need a top up. I advised them he had been elsewhere the previous year and this was not necessary. Last week I had a letter off them advising I owe £22.50. I called them and a manager was going to call me back which never happened. Today I get a text saying it's been passed to Debt collection. Any advice - should I just pay and be done with it or dispute it? What is the disupte process with a Debt collection agency, are they a 'law' on their own and im on a loosing battle?
You didn't say whether your cat had the "top-up" jab too? How long ago was the jab if you got the chase up letter last week? Surely you payed the bill at the vets?? did it show the additional jab charge??
Are you suggesting they gave the top-up without your approval or charged you for the jab that wasn't given?
Surely every jab is recorded by adding the sticker in the pet book anyway (or do we only have a pet book due to pet passport thingy)?
It seesm weird to me that you went to a different vets for last years top up and it isn't recorded anywhere that you could/should have shown them.
Are you suggesting they gave the top-up without your approval or charged you for the jab that wasn't given?
Surely every jab is recorded by adding the sticker in the pet book anyway (or do we only have a pet book due to pet passport thingy)?
It seesm weird to me that you went to a different vets for last years top up and it isn't recorded anywhere that you could/should have shown them.
The debt collection agency can do nothing until it's handed to solicitors to issue proceedings. I doubt they will issue for such a small amount. Ignore all correspondence and if you receive a County Court Claim Form, plead your case in the Defence.
I'd also stop using that vet if they are so quick to use a Debt Collection Agency.
I'd also stop using that vet if they are so quick to use a Debt Collection Agency.
CoolHands said:
for that tiny amount probably worth just paying it and forgetting about it.
Don't you remember that £43 you owe me? Don't try & pretend you don't know me - just pay up or I'll set the collectors on ya! 
OP: An email repudiating the debt and explaining why it's in error - politely - should get the desired response. The practice is talking cobblers to say it's out of their hands, they can pull it back from the DCA quite easily - unless it's the sort of DCA that buy 'debts' for pennies in the pound and that's not likely for something this size.
The DCA can do nothing except bluster unless they issue a claim. And then you get to state your case to the judge. But it would never get that far for something that size.
And change vet... then leave a stinging review on Google Business.
CoolHands said:
for that tiny amount probably worth just paying it and forgetting about it.
When you bend over will you put the KY on for them as well?Based on OP's story they have NO reason to pay and owe NOTHING.
Write back and state the debt is in dispute to the Debt Collector.
Write back to the vets and explain the situation again, show any bank statements or correspondence you have with them and leave it to them to sort out.
For the sake of £25 I'm incredibly surprised they have even bothered to send it on to a DCA.
Get all your evidence together.
Pet care book to check for stickers, invoice to see what was done, bank details to confirm payment made.
Based on what you see there question them about any differences in what they are claiming you owe them.
Vet fees are horrendous anyway. Comparing drug costs versus human equivalent shows massive differences that I find hard to justify both by drug companies and the vet. Perhaps some mark up to cover development/production versus volume of subsequent sales as per human drugs but reasonable not excessive please.
Pet care book to check for stickers, invoice to see what was done, bank details to confirm payment made.
Based on what you see there question them about any differences in what they are claiming you owe them.
Vet fees are horrendous anyway. Comparing drug costs versus human equivalent shows massive differences that I find hard to justify both by drug companies and the vet. Perhaps some mark up to cover development/production versus volume of subsequent sales as per human drugs but reasonable not excessive please.
Vets can lose lots of money to people who aren't regular clients, usually smallish amounts. It's not worth their while chasing them up hence the DCA who will be on a percentage. All they'll do is send out template letters and hope for a bite. They won't work hard for a matter like this. The staff at the practice don't want to get involved, the OP needs to speak with the manager and set up an email chain of events.
k it, i am not paying or making contact as it only £22 and i told them the cat didn't need it so they will just forget about it'.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff