Negotiating at the Dentist (1 Viewer)

[Anthony Martino]

So a couple of days ago I was enjoying some chips & salsa from Chili's and came across the mother of all prizers. A grouping of 8 chips all connected together and folded into one another, allowing me to enjoy a crunch of 16 chips at a time!

Unfortunately the crunch I heard when I bit in was my upper left molar, immediately followed by some pain. I darted my tongue to the back but didn't feel anything amiss.

Fast forward to yesterday and I'm eating my lunch and feel something odd moving around, take it out and the cusp of my molar has come out, argh!

Contact a nearby dentist and they're able to fit me in for an afternoon appointment.

Their diagnosis is that I'll need a buildup and a crown to repair the tooth. I don't have dental insurance and when they bring me the estimate.....$1,607, I immediately launch into Priceline Negotiator mode.

"Surely insurance companies aren't paying you $1600 for this procedure? They're a multi-billion dollar industry, why should I supplement their lower rates? You want me to leave this office with a new tooth today, you don't want me to go to another dentist and buy their tooth, right? Tell you what, make it $1,200 and I'll drive off the lot today with your tooth"

And it worked! I probably could've worked them lower, but it was my first time negotiating the purchase of a tooth. Got my temp crown in and have to wait three weeks for the real one.

 

[Rhodeman77]

Yea, I got into a big fight with my dental office. I have dental insurance through my work, but they don't offer it for my spouse.

She needed a deep cleaning and they wanted to charge her $1,200 for it. I had the same service done a few months back and know we weren't billed anywhere close to that. Like you said the insurance company has a much lower negotiated rate they will pay. So after a lot of back and forth with the dental office they offered it a much lower price.

 

[Steverino]

I'm not sure you want a guy poking around in your mouth right after you chiseled him down in price. He just might use the dull drills that he normally would have tossed out.

 

[bergs]

There are two things I never cheap out on - beer, and anything involve medical procedures.

 

[Trihonda]

I like 'spensive beer, but I recently negotiated on some dental work...

I have a permanent retainer bonded behind my lower teeth. It's been solid for 17 years, but recently I bit into something that bent it out of place. I called my kids' orthodontist and made an appt to have it looked at, bent back, etc.

I was told that an office visit is $179 minimum. But that there was a possibility the dentist would work on price, depending on how much was involved.

I get there, and the dentist spends literally 60 seconds inspecting, and bending it back to normal. I'm done, and walking past the receptionist, and the nurse follows me out and says, we will have to charge $179 for that. I stop and look at her quizzically... I may have raised an eye brow, but said nothing for a few few seconds. She looks up and says she'll go ask the dentist (whom I'm paying $1000's to for my kids braces) about a reduction in the fee. 20 seconds later she returns and says, "there's no charge". I smile, say "awesome, thank you" and I walk out the door.

$179 for 60 seconds of work? I know dentists can make some good money, but $10,000/hr is a bit much...

 

[bergs]

I like 'spensive beer, but I recently negotiated on some dental work...

I have a permanent retainer bonded behind my lower teeth. It's been solid for 17 years, but recently I bit into something that bent it out of place. I called my kids' orthodontist and made an appt to have it looked at, bent back, etc.

I was told that an office visit is $179 minimum. But that there was a possibility the dentist would work on price, depending on how much was involved.

I get there, and the dentist spends literally 60 seconds inspecting, and bending it back to normal. I'm done, and walking past the receptionist, and the nurse follows me out and says, we will have to charge $179 for that. I stop and look at her quizzically... I may have raised an eye brow, but said nothing for a few few seconds. She looks up and says she'll go ask the dentist (whom I'm paying $1000's to for my kids braces) about a reduction in the fee. 20 seconds later she returns and says, "there's no charge". I smile, say "awesome, thank you" and I walk out the door.

$179 for 60 seconds of work? I know dentists can make some good money, but $10,000/hr is a bit much...

Negotiating afterwards is fair game. Negotiating beforehand for things like dental work or Lasik is an invite for disaster.

 

[DJ Mack]

I prefer to know the price of anything elective before I commit to buy.

 

[12thMan]

Negotiating afterwards is fair game.

Classy. If you have work done, of any kind, and know the price ahead of time only to try and negotiate afterwards like you have some sort of bargaining power you are a piece of shit.

If you are specifically taking about a situation where the fee is ambiguous and subject to interpretation based on level of work needed or parts required forgive me, of course that's open for discussion. But if your comment means that you are one of the small amount of people in this world that thinks they can negotiate an estimate after all work is completed to satisfaction you're garbage and it tells me a lot about you. It happens in my shop once or twice every few years, all work is completed and the customer thinks they can now beat me up on price in regard to work that has been done on their $100k+ car. Lol They get about thirty seconds to change their tune then I tell them I would be absolutely fine with pulling every new piece I just worked on off their car and putting their old stuff back on for exactly $0. Fucking morons.

If you have a problem with the price quoted bring it up before the job is done or go somewhere else, anything other than that speaks to your integrity and morals, or lack thereof.

 

[moose]

I don't think you understand the definition of estimate.

 

[12thMan]

Lol I'm sure that's it.

 

[moose]

Let me know where you work so I can post your reply on Google review. Thanks.

 

[bentax1978]

Let me know where you work so I can post your reply on Google review. Thanks.

Unless I'm reading this wrong, @12thMan isn't suggesting that you can't negotiate based on an estimate before the work is conducted. I believe his position is that if the customer agrees to the terms of the estimate, and the work is done according to the estimate, then it's a dick move for the customer to try and negotiate a lower price after the work is done as agreed upon in the original (accepted by the customer) estimate.

 

[WedgeRock]

In my line of work, there's an old saying: "get the money *before* the tears dry."

 

[12thMan]

Unless I'm reading this wrong, @12thMan isn't suggesting that you can't negotiate based on an estimate before the work is conducted. I believe his position is that if the customer agrees to the terms of the estimate, and the work is done according to the estimate, then it's a dick move for the customer to try and negotiate a lower price after the work is done as agreed upon in the original (accepted by the customer) estimate.

If I wasn't clear I apologize, Bentax is 100% correct. I am incredibly verbose in life and I have never written very seriously, the combination of both leads to disjointed posts on message boards with my original intention lost. When you are engaging the services of a professional, in any field, and agree to a certain price by authorizing the work to be done only to have the intention of "negotiating" after the fact You. Are. A. Shitty. Human. In.That. Regard. It's low class, it's dishonest, it's unappreciative, and it's ZERO of the characteristics I want in a customer.

Let me know where you work so I can post your reply on Google review. Thanks.

lol

Here, you'll need this:

Bitch, I am the manager. (And the janitor. And the book keeper. And the delivery driver. And the head of the party planning committee.)


Which comment would you like to let the world know about bud? Are you referring to the one where I used a rolly eyes emoticon to respond to your insinuation that even though I've worked off and made estimates for 20 years now I don't know what the word means? Or are you referring to my comments where I will, and have, told a customer who is displaying said shitty behavior to "fuck off" metaphorically with a smile while letting them know we don't need to do their work next time if this is how it's going to be??

Either way, I'll clarify my point and where I, and many other business owners/managers/technicians are coming from: 1. Trying to negotiate a lower price after work has been performed is a low class way to go through life. If you disagree fine, we see it differently is all. 2. If that is who "you" are (meaning any customer in general) I do not want you in my shop and I do not need your business. You are potentially more hassle than you are worth and I would rather focus my/our considerable efforts on an appreciative customer base.


Look, if I ran a Kwick-E-Mart and relied on volume to get my nut I, and my business itself, would have to eat a lot more shit from the average customer, but that's not my business so you are barking up the wrong tree with the whole Google review thing. Shit, I don't even have our website or social media stuff up and running, my permanent logo design has been put on ice for a bit (after 5 years of using one I made lol ), and I haven't even signed up for yelp or angies list or whatever the hell else is out there...and my schedule is full. Way too full sometimes in relation to the amount of good help that is available.

I work off referrals and wholesale, at this point we are a boutique shop that people have to be referred to us to use. An incredible amount of work is put into our craft daily in an industry dominated by "who gives a shit?" companies to try and distinguish ourselves. I hold myself and the work I do, and anybody who works for me, to a very high standard, in a way that translates to my customers as well.



Go on making your way through life thinking negotiating a bill owed after the work has been performed is acceptable, I'm sure you're still a good guy in a lot of other aspects, but don't expect everybody to agree with that sentiment. Sometimes you run into somebody who is known for incredible customer service, gives away a nice percentage of work and product every year to needy/good people, and has worked their ass off to set themselves apart who takes slight offense to the idea my time/life is something to be bargained with.


Sorry if I came off harsh, have a good weekend.

 

[bergs]

Classy. If you have work done, of any kind, and know the price ahead of time only to try and negotiate afterwards like you have some sort of bargaining power you are a piece of shit.

If you are specifically taking about a situation where the fee is ambiguous and subject to interpretation based on level of work needed or parts required forgive me, of course that's open for discussion. But if your comment means that you are one of the small amount of people in this world that thinks they can negotiate an estimate after all work is completed to satisfaction you're garbage and it tells me a lot about you. It happens in my shop once or twice every few years, all work is completed and the customer thinks they can now beat me up on price in regard to work that has been done on their $100k+ car. Lol They get about thirty seconds to change their tune then I tell them I would be absolutely fine with pulling every new piece I just worked on off their car and putting their old stuff back on for exactly $0. Fucking morons.

If you have a problem with the price quoted bring it up before the job is done or go somewhere else, anything other than that speaks to your integrity and morals, or lack thereof.

I was referring to a situation where the fee is ambiguous or patently unfair. I'm not Donald Trump. I'm glad I gave you an opportunity to get your anger with some of your customers off your chest though.

 

[12thMan]

I was referring to a situation where the fee is ambiguous or patently unfair. I'm not Donald Trump. I'm glad I gave you an opportunity to get your anger with some of your customers off your chest though.

Good one, "my anger", coming from the angriest troll I know that must really be saying something.

I have no clue what Trump has to do with thiss or what that comment is supposed to relate to (Trump is a dentist? Trump went to a dentist? Trump tweeted about negotiating? Not sure...)this but I guess it makes sense in your head. At least with Trump I can dislike him at a distance, your mostly inane and angry posts I have to read while browsing one of my favorite online communities (or be one of those people that block users, which I'm not).

Have a good weekend though.

 

[bergs]

Good one, "my anger", coming from the angriest troll I know that must really be saying something.

I have no clue what Trump has to do with thiss or what that comment is supposed to relate to (Trump is a dentist? Trump went to a dentist? Trump tweeted about negotiating? Not sure...)this but I guess it makes sense in your head. At least with Trump I can dislike him at a distance, your mostly inane and angry posts I have to read while browsing one of my favorite online communities (or be one of those people that block users, which I'm not).

Have a good weekend though.

Trump is well known for renegotiating fees after the work is complete. Don't believe me, Google it.

I'm far from angry. At most, I'm annoyed occasionally. Sorry you don't like my posts. I've found that they don't appeal to the less intelligent, so perhaps I should've expected such a dull riposte from you.

Stay dimwitted, my brother.

 

[12thMan]

Trump is well known for renegotiating fees after the work is complete. Don't believe me, Google it.

I'm far from angry. At most, I'm annoyed occasionally. Sorry you don't like my posts. I've found that they don't appeal to the less intelligent, so perhaps I should've expected such a dull riposte from you.

Stay dimwitted, my brother.

I guess I just didn't make that connection, I'm not angry and obsessed like you seem to be. And by the way, "negotiating after the fact is fair game" is exactly what you said, so without the added explanation clarifying what you posted you are exactly like Trump in that regard. But yeah, I guess you meant something completely different than what you typed, so cool. Totally agree, you are not Trump.

The posts I dislike of yours are the ones where you are calling people idiots and subhumans when you don't agree with them, of which you have a shit ton. I mean Jesus fucking Christ dude, you are a big reason we can't discuss politics on this site in the open forum. Thanks! In some of the most intriguing and fucked up times concerning politics that any of us will see in our lifetimes we can't discuss it here with out going into a hidden forum because se people can't talk to people civilly. Yeah, I'm such an asshole for wanting more respect amongst humans. Sorry.

But yeah, anybody who doesn't like what you say is incapable of coherent thought so it doesn't matter. Sucks to be me.

No sarcasm here, have a good weekend.

 

[bergs]

My comment regarding negotiating after the fact was in light of the situation at the dentist where he was being overcharged for 15 seconds of work. It helps with reading comprehension if you read the entire thread and not just the posts with the most monosyllabic words.

I seem to recall a lot of people having impassioned arguments in political threads here. It wasn't like I was starting threads and just screaming into the wind with no replies. I didn't even start a majority of the threads.

I'm really sorry that the collective Socratic wit here isn't sufficient to deal with criticism. I can honesty say that, with the exception of a certain flipper, nobody here has ever posted something that pissed me off to the point where I was burdened with thinking about it outside of reading and writing posts.

I would counterargue that if you and some others around here were a little less sensitive, we'd still have nice things like political threads without special registration. But god forbid that anyone get offended! yikes! We can't have that - where else will we post what we're having for dinner or pictures of ourselves shirtless?

Cliffs:

- I couldn't be mad at you if I tried - only because I don't care
- Toughen up my little adorable Sharman diaper

 

[Big Jilm]

lol, thanks for the drama! I needed a good laugh boys.

do you think she negotiated??


Edit: Oh yeah, I actually had something to contribute to the conversation. Sorry, I got distracted by the drama.....and then the big boobs! I have negotiated at the dentist before. Saved myself $500 once and received quality work. Peace on Earth my brothers. Enjoy life, it is pretty rad!

 

[12thMan]

My comment regarding negotiating after the fact was in light of the situation at the dentist where he was being overcharged for 15 seconds of work. It helps with reading comprehension if you read the entire thread and not just the posts with the most monosyllabic words.

I seem to recall a lot of people having impassioned arguments in political threads here. It wasn't like I was starting threads and just screaming into the wind with no replies. I didn't even start a majority of the threads.

I'm really sorry that the collective Socratic wit here isn't sufficient to deal with criticism. I can honesty say that, with the exception of a certain flipper, nobody here has ever posted something that pissed me off to the point where I was burdened with thinking about it outside of reading and writing posts.

I would counterargue that if you and some others around here were a little less sensitive, we'd still have nice things like political threads without special registration. But god forbid that anyone get offended! yikes! We can't have that - where else will we post what we're having for dinner or pictures of ourselves shirtless?

Cliffs:

- I couldn't be mad at you if I tried - only because I don't care
- Toughen up my little adorable Sharman diaper

You are adorable.

 

[Big Jilm]

Trolls live under bridges last I remember.......

 

[bergs]

You are adorable.

You are like a big fluffly pettable caterpillar.

 

[bergs]

You are adorable.

You are the wind that fills my sails (I'm in a motorboat).

 

[moose]

As I said you definitely don't understand what an estimate is. If you give a customer an estimate and come in low and ask to ask to pay up more after that fact then of course you are going to get haggling. If you eat that cost then you are not giving estimates - it's a firm price. Either way your attitude towards your customers stinks so let's post your rants about your customers on Google review and see if it helps your business. At least the soccer mom's will know to stay away.

 

[Rhodeman77]

As I said you definitely don't understand what an estimate is. If you give a customer an estimate and come in low and ask to ask to pay up more after that fact then of course you are going to get haggling. If you eat that cost then you are not giving estimates - it's a firm price. Either way your attitude towards your customers stinks so let's post your rants about your customers on Google review and see if it helps your business. At least the soccer mom's will know to stay away.

Exactly! A good friend recently went to a chain automotive repair shop. He was given an ESTIMATE that the work would take 5 hours and cost $X per hour plus the cost of parts.

He said go ahead with the work, they were done in 2 hours but still wanted to charge him the full price of the ESTIMATE. Don't call it an estimate if you are going to bill for that amount even if it takes less than half that time.

 

[Anthony Martino]

I mean, as soon as I drive this new tooth off the lot it's going to depreciate like crazy, and the 2018 models are coming out in a few months

 

[Trihonda]

Classy. If you have work done, of any kind, and know the price ahead of time only to try and negotiate afterwards like you have some sort of bargaining power you are a piece of shit.

If you are specifically taking about a situation where the fee is ambiguous and subject to interpretation based on level of work needed or parts required forgive me, of course that's open for discussion.

In my case, I was informed at the start of the potential for an $179 office fee. However, I was also told that the fee could be Much less or waived possibly (dependent on what the dentist had to do).

Imho no person on this earth should be making $10,000/hour from services they are providing me.

 

[Ronoh]

Imho no person on this earth should be making $10,000/hour from services they are providing me.

Taking what could have been a one-time $179 payment and changing it up repeatedly to an example of how you almost had to pay someone $10,000 an hour is more akin to what happens in most political discussions than anything else that's been said in this thread

 

[CraigT78]

My experience has been that the negotiations are done with the office manager and not the provider. With 3 out of 5 kids in braces - the office manager is well aware we will be countering their first offer . Maybe this is different in smaller towns/cities - but in Dallas the doctor wouldn't waste his time talking about price - off to the next patient.