What is your price?

A visit to the local vet might leave you strapped for cash, but not necessarily without reason.
Ballito resident, Elbie van der Bank, was unhappy with the cost of having her dog spayed locally. She had been quoted by a vet in Pretoria who would do the procedure for R720. This led her to believe that vets in Ballito were overpriced.
“Fees on the North Coast vary between R1600 and R1800,” she said.
The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) sets a national guideline for tariffs which allows veterinary practices to maintain healthy business competition and ensures that the practices make reasonable returns according to the area in which they operate.
A survey of Dolphin Coast vets revealed that the prices charged locally are moderate compared to vets near cities and larger areas.
Dr Louis Gouws and Dr Kevin Stevens of the Ballito Veterinary Hospital believe their prices are fair compared to other areas.
“What we’re charging is less than the prices charged in Johannesburg and Durban,” said Gouws.
“There is a recommended fees list that is set out by the SAVC, and veterinarians cannot just set their own fees,” he explained.
The SAVC guidelines take into account several factors when setting out recommended fees every year. The geographical area the practice is located in, the community demographic within the area, the equipment and standard of the facilities, the experience of the veterinarian and the commercial value of the patient.
“It is not a secret what we charge,” said Gouws. The SAVC website allows anyone to download the tariff guidelines.
Gouws as well as other veterinary practices in Ballito and Salt Rock were concerned over the amount that Van der Bank had been quoted.
“If that is what he is charging this will be construed as touting and should be reported to the South African Veterinary Council,” said Gouws.
“If you deviate by 20 percent from the recommended fee you have to explain it to the council,” he said.
Van der Bank checked up with the Pretoria-based vet and found that he had been undercharging. It remains unclear whether he has faced disciplinary action or is allowed to charge that amount.
SAVC sets the price for spaying a dog in 2013 at a minimum of R1228 and a maximum R2726 dependent on whether the female dog is immature, mature or on heat.
The price also excludes all other costs.