Petsmart Banfield?

[RachelandSadie]

Me is a little bit scured of them nows, they seem nice enough, and maybe Liberty's is just fine, but i'd be a little too worried to go there...think i'll stick to a private vet here in town....

[Love_Capone]

I have read more bad than good after searching the web and reading everyones responses. They did call me today and see if Capone was feeling better, which my vet has never done. I don't think I'm going to do it though just because of all the negative things I have found. I just wish it was something I could do to lower the cost of vet bills. They're pretty pricey once it's all added up.

[RachelandSadie]

FYI!!!

Just want to shed a small bit of positive light on the banfield clinic,

there may be lots of controversy surrounding it online, and i've been reading about how they make you continue to pay the plan even if the pet dies

I had to call and ask about this and i was told:

"It would depend upon the circumstances, if you have already used all of the services provided in the package and had to cancel the package due to a pet's death, you would still be either responsible for the services OR if it were cheaper they would just charge you the regular plan billing for the rest of that year."


So basically, if you've spayed your puppy, and then she died for some reason, you would still be responsible for the cost of the spay, or if it's cheaper to just have you pay off the rest of the plan, they'd go that route.

Makes perfect sense to me, i mean if a human went to the hospital for a month, then died in the hospital, you would still have to pay the hospital bills or your insurance plan that covers those bills for you...

not saying to go for it with banfield, keep researching, but that's what that one was all about..

i did ask about seeing the degrees and years exp. of their vets and they said sure anytime i could come in and they could give that info out. so that's what i'm going to be doing. keep researching yorkie lovers!!!

Also look at the thread we're discussing this topic in http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...heir-home.html

[redvalaria]

they also give a "satisfaction gaurantee" and if you call and ask, they explain all about it...

till something happens and you call and say "you screwed up, I want the charge reversed" then, not so friendly....they lie, say it isn't their fault, go round and round.

They do this time and again.

So much bad press can NOT be a mistake. Maybe there is one or two good apples out there, but then again, you get a good pup even from a puppy mill once in a while.

Doesn't mean they aren't, on whole, a BAD thing.

I have never personally met anyone who has ever dealt with them when there was a problem, who didn't come away hurt, exhausted and broke.

[RachelandSadie]

yea i think i'd rather not bother with them either!! just seems like too much hassle and it'll just lead to crap crap and more crap, which i don't need, Sadie will be stressful enough as it is!!

[Ashley V]

I use Banfield and am happy with them, but I've also heard a lot of horror stories. I used to use the one 5 minutes from me, but I did change because I did NOT like that vet at all (looooong story) and now drive to the one 15-20 minutes away and they have been amazing. Chip has severe vaccine reactions and before we realized what was wrong with him, they saved his life several times. We also brought my 17 year old cat there when she got really sick before she died and they stayed with us several hours after the office closed to talk to us about our options. It's one of those things though that you just have to meet the vets and watch how they interact with your little one and get reviews from others about the specific one in your area.

[dogears]

I haven't read the other posts so forgive me if I repeat something.

I'm not a fan of Banfield's because they are expensive, they over vaccinate (the wellness plans include too many unnecessary vaccinations), and they try to get you to buy services you don't need.

The only time I go to Banfield is when I am low on money and the girls need just a yearly shot. If you go during wellness hours they only charge for the shot and not an office visit.

[yorkie_lov3r]

my judah is on the puppy wellness plan and we do save money! 20 dollars a month isnt bad either so i do recommend banfield. my judah goes there...

[delicatepuzzle]

I've bounced all over the place here in orlando area. The two best Banfields I've dealt with told me to save my money and use private vets (but to search around for a low priced good one). I'm much happier with private vets. Especially the ones who have been in practice for a longer time. Unless your dog has a lot of health problems, Banfield isn't that great outside of your baby's puppyhood. I've paid them hundreds and hundreds of dollars. I can't wait to get my oldest out of his contract!!!

[lolasmomma]

I use banfield vets.. they have been amazing with my new baby I switched from a private vet.. They treat them well and its alot cheaper I have nothing negative to say .. Goodluck with finding a vet! If u feel comfortble with them then stay.. not all banfield and private vets are the same

[Laurn7f]

I love my Banfield. I have also heard horror stories, but there are horror stories about private vets also. It all depends on the clinic and the vets working there.

I think I get my money's worth simply by the fact that I am a paranoid mommy and I like being able to take Mya in to get checked for even the littlest thing on the drop of a dime and not have to pay for an office visit. Each time I would have had to pay between $35-$200.

I like the comfort of knowing I can be paranoid and not broke .

OH and Mya had to have a couple surgeries this year on her hip, she was less than a year old....Banfield's costs were about 50% discounted compared to the normal surgeons'.

[PEANUTS MOM]

I took my Yorkie Peanut in for Rabbies vaccination on 8/18/09 and was informed the he was do for all other vaccines as well. When I got home later that day and reviewed his vaccine history I noticed that all other vaccines were good until 9/9/09. I feel that pushed for vaccinations that were not necessary at time. My dog was in extreme pain from 8/19- 8/20. When I called Banfield they informed me that common side effects are lethargy and soreness at injection site. My dog could not move, when we touched him lightly he would yelp from the pain. He was also dry heaving. We took him back on 8/20 to have him examined and vet felt the the pain he was experiencing was due to a fall and not vaccines...that is impossible because Peanut was with family at all times and did not fall or have an accident. Vet prescribed medication for pain which did not help much. Thankfully my dog is healing slowly on his own. I will never take him back to Banfield. I called to cancel
my Wellness Plan and was told that since I had procedures done(those vaccinations that would expire on 9/9/09)and physical exam it would cost me $350 to cancel plan. Operator also informed me that Banfield renewed my plan 2 weeks before it expired. When I applied for this they told me I could cancel at any time. If you have applied for Wellness program you can call client relations and have it set up to not renew 1-888-649-2716. Good luck

[PEANUTS MOM]

Google complaints against banfield pet hospital

[tinknpiper]

Originally Posted by TLC

I prefer private Vets. I have heard too many horror stories between the bad service, etc at Banfield and the horrid grooming at Petsmart.

Honestly, I would rather be safe than sorry.

I actually work at Petsmart grooming and we have one of the best salons around Phoenix. I do not know to much about other stores but our Banfield and the one that I have taken my ferrets to was great. I think it all depends on which one you go to.

[orlnurse]

I take Max to Banfield. I also belong to the wellness plan. I've had great experiences there. The vet is really nice and always answers my questions. They are absolutely great about seeing us without an appointment. The nurses are awesome. Max had an ear infection and would not let me near his ears to put in the ear drops. I was in tears when I called them for help. I took him in twice a day for 7 days and the nurses put the drops in for me with even charging me. I suppose you can run into bad experiences anywhere, even with a private vet. You as the pet owner, are your dog's advocate and always go with your gut feeling about things. If you are uncomfortable about a particular medication or treatment, ask more questions or educate yourself about it.