Who has the most influence on a company’s business results? Of course, the CEO, the board members, the decision makers… it’s all true, and a mistake at this level of management can be very costly. But people often underestimate the negative impact that individual frontline workers can have.
Just imagine – a company has a great brand, it provides consumers with an excellent product or service, all business processes are perfectly streamlined… but the dismissive behavior of an ordinary employee towards consumers can completely ruin the brand image, and even scare away loyal customers.
A similar story was recently told by a redditor in the AITA community, and the original post got about 10.9K upvotes and 1.1K different comments. This tale is about how the inappropriate behavior of just one employee cost the company an old client.
More info: Reddit
The Original poster came to a vet clinic with her cat for a regular check-up
Image source: shelbymaryr7
So, the Original Poster had an insurance contract for her cat with a veterinary clinic. The contract also included a regular check-up every 6 months, and everything was fine until the OP with her pet came for another check-up scheduled for 12 p.m.
Image source: aita_banfield
The nurse came out of the office and told the girl at the front desk that all the doctors had gone on their lunch break
In the reception area, besides OP and her cat, there was also another visitor, as well as a girl at the front desk. At one point, a nurse came out of the office and addressed the girl at the front desk: “Hey, just a heads up, everybody went on their lunch break, just so you know…”
Image source: aita_banfield
The OP was concerned about this, but the nurse replied to her rudely saying the conversation did not concern her
The OP approached the nurse, asking if she should come later, to which she coldly replied: “This conversation does not concern you.” The OP was surprised and just said she was worried about her cat and wished she didn’t have to wait in line like she was promised. The nurse again grumbled that her conversation with the girl at the reception did not concern the OP, and went back to the office.
Image source: aita_banfield
Upon returning to the office, the nurse started trashing the OP in front of other nurses
Before the door closed, the OP recalls she heard the nurse start trashing her in front of her colleagues, laughingly calling her “the crazy lady with the cat at the front.” Of course, the OP was indignant and would not want such a person to participate in the check-up of her cat.
Image source: aita_banfield
The OP asked the girl at the front desk for the manager’s phone number to file a complaint. The girl reluctantly handed her a business card. The OP dialed the number listed there… and the phone at the front desk rang. The girl put it on hold and looked embarrassed. When the OP asked her directly if it was the number of the manager or the store, she answered that it was the store.
Finally, the girl at the front desk admitted that the OP needed to wait for at least an hour
In the meantime, the OP’s cat began howling in her carrier, so the owner simply asked when the doctor could meet them. The girl replied that everyone had left for lunch, so they would have to wait at least an hour. So, as the OP points out, the nurse not only acted rude but also lied.
Image source: shelbymaryr7
In general, the OP was rightly outraged, left the clinic and decided to break the contract with them. When she called her mother for advice, she agreed that it was not worth going back, but stated that her daughter should not have threatened to complain like a Karen.
People in the comments supported the OP and advised her to write a critical review as well
However, commenters unanimously supported the OP, arguing that she did everything right. Moreover, almost all the people in the comments not only supported the idea of a complaint but also advised to write a review so that other current and prospective customers know what kind of clinic it is and what kind of employees work there.
Also, one of the commenters noticed that the business itself as a whole looks shady – after all, 12 pm looks normal for a lunch break, so probably two nurses lied to the OP at once, plus the employee who, when making an appointment, said that it would be just an in-and-out visit. In other words, even if the management of the clinic built all the processes at a high level, the inappropriate behavior of the employees cast a strong shadow on the brand.
By the way, what do you think of this narrative? You may also have experienced inappropriate employee behavior in various companies, so we would be interested to know your own stories.
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Yeah, I'm about the "be a Karen" when the maintenance office opens on Tuesday over our new death trap elevator in my building and the useless "security guard" that just stared instead of helping. Kinda unrelated but it just happened a few hours ago and I'm still LIVID. My 2yo could have been seriously injured and her older sister feels responsible because she pressed the button too quickly.
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I had a similar issue with a vet over my cat, Pixie. Pixie was, how can I say it... a bit highly strung with a diva attitude. The vet nurses would talk badly about her and one even called her an effing b*tch when she thought I couldn't hear. I complained and took my cat and my money elsewhere. You wouldn't shout and swear at a toddler throwing a tantrum so shouting at a scared animal is just as bad in my book. Especially when I'm paying you for a service
They're supposed to be trained in how to safely (both tech & animal) handle a rowdy patient. Those who can't need a different career.
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I had a poor interaction with a vet tech when I brought my guide dog in for surgery some years ago. Besides being generally abrasive, she ended with, "if we forget to call you to pick her up you can always call us after 5pm." How do you forget about a surgical patient? Anyway, the following day the vet called to see how my dog was recovering and I mentioned that I was concerned about the tech and before I could say more he interjected, "don't worry, she won't be a concern for much longer." I don't know if he fired her or she quit but I never saw her again.
Worst experience with a vet I had was with our guinea pig years and years back. He went off his food and really wasn't himself... so to the vet we went. Our appointment was half an hour late - we were fine with that as assumed it was an emergency in before us. Nope... vet just fussing over a dog in for a check up (from the parting words to owner). We got in... not so much as an apology. She took our guinea pig from his carrier, spun him round onto his back causing him to squeak and all but threw him back at me with a curt "it's fine". So... next day, guinea pig not eating... getting weaker. Requested another vet and back we went. She checked him gently and on pressing his tummy area, pus came from his... intimate bits. He had a bad infection. We were less than happy and made a huge complaint. Fine for a vet to prefer dogs over rodents... but her negligence could have killed him. She should have cared about our pet just as much as the dog she saw before us.
Wow that's insane. They always say you have to find one who's specialised in rabbits and guinea pigs. The one I found was so sweet and very good and cheap.
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I sacked my first vet because of the receptionist. I'd just adopted a rescue cat and he had been treated badly by his previous owner so he had a lot of anxiety issues. I registered with the vet closest to me and made an appointment to get him a medical exam. We booked in at the reception desk, and this enormous dog appeared from behind the desk and started sniffing around the carrier and scrabbling away at it. My poor wee cat was terrified, and I asked the receptionist to please call the dog back. "Oh don't be silly, he's just playing, he likes to play with others" OK, he might have been a friendly dog, but my cat didn't know that. So I asked her again, and she pulled the dig back, but told me "You're too anxious to have pets, it's not good for them to have nervous parents, they pick up their mood from you." I was too gobsmacked to reply, but I never went back there, emailed the vet to say why but didn't even get the courtesy of a reply.
Lotzen F****r, I don't know if you're a congenital idiot or a negative seeking troll. Either way, I feel sorry for you, trying to get kicks like this, what a sad life you must live.
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A Calico Cat 🐈 had been living under our handicapped ramp for a few days. I put food and water down for her but she wouldn't come out until she heard the kitchen door close. One day I ask my son to sit by the door and close it. She was out in a split second and I was ready for her. I grabbed her before she could hide away again and I was horrified. She was covered in scabs from nose to tail and hairless from her mid back to her tail. I almost dropped her because I was shocked at her condition. My vet is a bit away so I rushed her to the town Vet. I was frantic to get her help and then he said he recognized this cat as he had DECLAWED HER!!!! I picked up my Calico Girl and asked a few questions. I then told him what I thought of doctors who hide behind their degrees to amputate a kittens fingers. I went straight to my regular vet and she was so comforting to this shaking, crying 6 month old baby. I found out her age, medical history and the name of her former owner. I went to meet her for coffee to find out anything else I could about the still unnamed bald, sick Calico cat. As soon as I got her home she made a beeline for the nearest door. She had run down into the basement. She hid herself away and I could never find her. For a month she wouldn't come out of hiding but her skin was healing along with her broken heart 💔. I'd call her for her meals but I never saw her. My husband had been on a business trip so he didn't know Sweetie was there. One day my husband came home from work and started reading his newspaper when Sweetie made her grand entrance and introduced herself to her new human by laying on her back across his feet purring. My Sweetie loved on us until her heart failed her 11 days before her 19th Birthday. Sweetie-Paws Crossed Rainbow 🌈 Bridge April 23rd of this year. For the 1st time in 44 years of marriage we are without a furry child in the house.
Aw Susan, what a kind thing to do and I'm sorry for your loss. Bless you for taking care of fur babies. Hugs.
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What kind of outfit books appointments over lunch? Sounds like a very slapdash operation, I would have given a poor review also.
Banfield is part of PetCo stores (or PetSmart, I can't remember which). They sell pets and pet supplies, but a few years ago they started offering grooming and vet services. So basically it's Corporate America running a vet clinic.
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I've "fired" doctors for their staff. My mom worked in clinic offices. She noticed a huge drop in patients whenever they hired a rude office worker or nurse. This happened in multiple workplaces for her. We would switch doctors but also tell the doctor what we are switching because of the staff member. I don't see how a vet clinic would be any different. I'd be more worried if I wouldn't be in the room to see what is happening. A friend "fired" a vet because the nurse jerked on some tape to rip it from a sedated cat's arm and jerked the entire cat off of the table. Poor thing slammed on the floor. My friend complained to the doc. Doc brushed it off. At the next quick check up, my friend asked about that cat again and the doc brushed it off. She didn't feel comfortable going back and definitely wouldn't allow her pet to undergo any procedures there. Humans or pets, it's the same. Staff is c**p, go somewhere else
Unless there's a legit reason, I'm going back with my pet. If they give me some B.S. why I can't, it make me wonder what c**p they are up to and we leave.
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I knew it was going to be Banfield even before I got to that part. They're the worst. A local, independent vet is always the way to go. And it's a pet owners job to speak for our pets; they can't do it for themselves.
Banfield does have a bad reputation. Not sure if this is the case with all of them, but the one near my house admitted their "pet nurses" were not certified, licensed technicians. I was an LVT and I noped right out of there. Also, my pup acted scared to be there. She's currently very happy at her new doctor's office. Listen to your pets-they know.
We took our rescue pup to Banfield once - because we got a free visit with an adoption. While the care seemed adequate for a first visit/shots, etc. we were subjected to their timeshare presentation about the pet insurance for over two hours. Every new person would come in, greet the dog, and ask if anyone had spoken to us about their insurance plans. We would say yes, then they'd launch into it again. After our two and a half hour appointment, we noped out of there. The high-pressure sales pitch was too much. They cared and talked more about the insurance plan than our dog's health.
Load More Replies... This whole story is bizarre on so many levels but to be honest the worst part is OP's own mother telling her she was being a Karen. What, women can't complain about anything anymore no matter how bad it is? I literally cannot even. Also, is this an American thing or what? In the UK they don't make appointments for when nobody is available and also everyone doesn't take lunch at the same time. If Americans are just scheduling customers in for times nobody is there and haven't even thought of the obvious practice of having people take lunch at different times it seriously makes me wonder how the country even functions.
Yeah the whole “Karen” thing is just another way to shut women up.
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a commentor said that the title was 'clickbait'. i disagree. you hire a professional for their services. when i relocated to a new area i made appts for a couple of drs and, once in the room, told them i was paying for this appt in order to interview them. did the same with my vet. some drs were amused but understood that you need a dr that you are comfortable with in order to be an advocate for yourself. some were very offended. too effin' bad.
That is so clever! I do something similar for my kids. Their daycare teachers want meds for literally every runny nose and a doctor's visit for every fever. I use these minor things to check out the docs. Same for dentists when it's time for a free cleaning, I have wisdom teeth that need removed, most places tell me "Yes, they will need to be removed. They will push your other teeth and cause problems. But they are fine now, come back when there is an issue. BTW, there is a cavity here, we suggest a crown. I'll send in the billing consultant." NOPE. Only one place said they'd do it a month after I had given birth. It was 2 hours away T.T
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Banfield is evil. I signed up for insurance, had a health issue, so was off work for months. They still charged me even when I tried to cancel then sent me to collections. And the vet told me if I didn't bring it current he wouldn't treat my animals, even if I paid cash that day. All they care about is shilling their products. They don't care about the animals.
Banfield is run by Petsmart. Petsmart's vets and groomers are not good. There have been many horror stories about the groomers injuring dogs because they were incompetent, and there was even an incident where a lady took her dog to Banfield and they mixed up her dog's diagnosis with another dog's diagnosis and told the lady "you have to the dog down" and then hung up but thankfully when they went to the vet the desk receptionist told them it was a mix up and they didn't have to put the dog down.
Load More Replies... NTA. You can say what you mean without being mean. The Vet was rude and ignorant and you absolutely did the right thing. If he treated you like you didn't matter, how would your pet have faired if treated by a big, strange, scary Bully?
I have a senior dog with a lot of health issues. She has neurological problems as well as arthritis and anxiety. We went to a wonderful vet for years but sadly he sold his practice to a complete jerk. The wonderful staff began dwindling down and were replaced by new staff hired by the jerk. We brought Lucy in once and the receptionist said, again? When are you going to put her down? We left immediately. I called the office manger, aka the jerks wife and she told me I was too sensitive. We never went back. I reached out to a local rescue and inquired about what vet they used and started going there. Lucy is still a with us, living her best life. Animals are family and should be treated as such.
NTA. This was truly unprofessional by both workers at the desk; the one who was a straight up bully to the OP and the desk sitter who tried passing off a "manager" number that was really for the desk. It's not a shock that the noon hour is lunch but usually businesses with customers around the clock do stagger lunches so there is always someone at hand to assist or keep things going. Otherwise, why schedule someone at that time? My cat is NOT a vet lover at all; she freaking screams and tries to bite them for her yearly vaccines, but never has any of them been anything but sweet to her and me as I apologize over and over for my temperamental calico. NTA
Good to know about Banfield --there is one closer to me than my current vet and I've been thinking if I should switch just to save on the travel time. Now I won't need to wonder. Also, why wouldn't the owner allowed to be there with her pet? Except during COVID, I've always been in the same room when my cat does his checkups.
As I was reading this I was thinking to myself this sounds like something Banfield would pull.. and Yep! When I worked for the vets, we *Never* booked appointments at noon. Some vets offices are great and others are gawd awful! always try to read reviews from different sources to find a decent one and never feel bad if you feel you need to go to another one.
Unless it was a lunchtime business meeting all vets attended because it was mandatory, they should never break for lunch at the same time. When I was a vet tech the docs staggered their lunch breaks because EMERGENCIES HAPPEN at lunchtime. This practice is dangerous. I wouldn't go there with any pet.
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"Karen" is just the politically acceptable way of saying get in the kitchen, make me a sandwich and bring me a beer.
3 things. First - I think the medication she is talking about is Gabapentin. It worked wonders with our cattos until we could find a mobile vet (which is even better). Second - Blubbpaule - f**k you. Just f**k you in the m***********g face for being a f*****g c**t. "clickbait title." Shut the f*****g f**k up, you f**k. Third - no, I'm not angry, why do you ask?
Banfield choked mu chihuahua while cutting her nails. She is 4lbs wtw?
Some vets´ receptionists/nurses are complete idiots, I hope the woman went to another vet at the end with her cat. BTW, the vet who treated now Angel Gizzy and who helped him cross the bridge peacefully with #KidneyFailureIsAnAsshole has the first, very kind young MALE receptionist that I ever met. 😮😮😮 In Germany normally receptionists are FEMALE.
I'm sorry for your loss Marion. We lost our BigBoy last year to kidney failure. We adopted him and his sister Pretty Girl together. PG passed away a few years before BB. My wife and I knew something was wrong when he didn't want breakfast that morning. I made him a little bit of roast beef to get him to eat something and I held him untill it was time to go to the vet.
Load More Replies... No compromise in regard to any pet ever. Never return there. They're not worth your time, but, you know ... people might ask you for a vet you can recommend. More important, make sure they know which one isn't what any reasonable mind would consider a sound choice. My cat is pissed, too, when we're at the vet's.
Do not go back there! The operation is no unprofessional! Staff going out for lunch while patients are still waiting? No way!!! You 100% did the right thing for your fur baby, like you said she can't speak for herself. She's lucky to have you. Please give her a little scratch between the ears for us.
"When I can be in the room" -- wait, what now? I have NEVER just handed over my cat. Ever. I am in the room for the examination, any treatment, etc. Always. I hold my cat, I soothe my cat. I DID dump a vet because he sedated my cat in front of me, without telling me what he was doing. Imagine my shock when she suddenly howled, threw up and went limp! Gave him a piece of my mind afterward, because NO. You do NOT do that without telling me exactly what you're doing. Took my little girl to the (new) vet this morning (nasty bum, and her mycoplasma infection seems to have come back) and she was very sweet with her, told me what she's doing, and appreciated that I was holding her and keeping her cooperative. (All my cats are good at the vet) Even when she had to get a sample of her infected rear with a needle, she told me exactly what, and I was having the cat plastered against my chest, just keeping her still while soothing her. Can't imagine not being in there!
Why is it that every time I read these stories about bad vet visits I know that it's a freaking Banfield? Even without them explicitly saying so. It's Always Banfield. Don't take your pets there. They're shady as hell and I stopped taking my pets there years ago after they nearly killed my mom's cat.
Aside from bringing a pet in for surgery I've never been to a vet appointment with any of our pets where I wasn't in the room? That would have had me looking for a new vet by itself. The only time I fired a vet was an opposite situation. We found one of our dogs barely able to stand, eyes unfocussed and shaking at around 1145 am. Grabbed the dog, with my mom driving called on the way to the vet for an emergency visit to be told they were at lunch ( there are 3 vets and x# of techs in the office) and would not be able to see him till 2:45. We were long term patients with 4 dogs and 2 cats. Looked online for a vet in same town ( by now it's 10 to 12) called the next vet, the receptionist said. "We are closed for lunch but bring him in immediately, knock on the door I will let you in." 10 minutes later we were with the new vet, and they were starting ivf. Poor dog had botulism, which is very odd for a dog and would have died. Our pets have thrived under his care for 14 years now.
I've fired my doctor over how his staff behaved. I would be sure the Vet was aware of his staff's behavior.
Speaking out on being treated horribly is NOT what a karen/kyle is. People use the "karen" term way too loosely as a way to shut women up who speak their minds. Its just another misogynist tactic. People need to learn what a karen really is before using it.
I think I'm more upset about that TERRIBLE insurance policy. $35/month into a savings account would be WAY more value. But yeah, nothing a-hole-ish about taking your business elsewhere for any reason, especially after such rude treatment. OP might be a bit of a "crazy cat lady" but not in a harmful way, and not judging by anything they said to the staff.
I don't know what's so bad about taking your business elsewhere if you don't like the service at an establishment. That's sort of what a free market is all about.
I've never heard anything positive about Banfield. I used them in an emergency once and they were okay but extremely pricey. I wouldn't use them as a regular vet though.
The vet seems to not be the problem.You don't judge somebody by their employee's bad attitude.It's your pet & you have a right to take it where you want, but that vet can't help what his workers say.And they took care of your pet.
Thank you to OP & commenters for having the courage of actually naming the place as it allows other loving and caring pet owners to avoid their furry babies from being mistreated by this below par establishment.
I used to do a fair bit of cat rescue. When I found a stray, I would take the stray in to the vet for an examination, vaccination, and spay/ neuter. Then I would find a home for the cat. When I brought in a new cat the receptionist gave me this look and said, "Another one?" I was annoyed. Excuse me for saving stray cats and paying full price to have them medically treated.
Long story short, I took my cat to the vet for imaging of her gallbladder to rule out some issues. The vet I saw the day before said that since my cat was uncontrollable when I was not near her, to let the imaging vet know it was okay for me to be in the room with my cat. I told the new vet this and she refused to let me go with my cat and said she needed my permission to sedate my cat. I told her I wasn't going to take the risk of sedation on my cat for a preventative test, and I will pay for the test if we can do it without sedating my cat. The vet refused to let me be with my cat so I took my cat and left. No regrets.
My sister's cat was VERY ill (dying!!) & she wanted to bring him in to have him examined (& most likely euthanized) Receptionist said that there weren't any openings & refused to let my sis talk to the vet or his assistant (my sis had been a client for over 20 years wi numerous cats & dogs). Poor George died at 3 AM in the midst of a seizure. I told her to tell the vet or the asst. how bitchy the receptionist was & "suggest" the clinic hire a new receptionist as there current one should not be dealing with the public! She adopted another cat & is seeing a different vet.
I changed my vet because I did not like the way my cat was treated and my boyfriend (who is not into making a fuss or much of a cat person) was just as outraged as I was. My kitty is SUCH a sweet kitty but at the vet, she becomes a devil cat who gets stressed there. The admitted that they had never seen a Devon Rex but heard they are 'drama queens'. They wanted to sedate her every visit, HELL NO. I went to a new vet and they just love her and her sass as they call it.....best move ever
Any vet could be good or bad. Most vet offices are being bought up by corporations these days - a "small local vet" might be corporate as well. We've used Banfield for years, and care has ranged from fine to extraordinarily good and compassionate. The "insurance" is a program that consolidates typical annual cost into a predictable monthly fee, with discounts for some services. They cheerfully provided all the prices for me to total and decide.
What the hell? This articles layout is a mess lol. How many times will it loop back to an earlier point in telling the story. That journalism minor is really paying off
As I isolationist my Mini Kitty is also one. I'm VERY fortunate to have a Vet & Veterinary Staff that understands this & gives her "Mama Hormones" and lets her chill out before her treatment or exam. Thank God they understand MY anxiety also. Just because a business has "Doctor" attached to it does NOT mean they're Supreme Beings, nor are their Staff. Humans need to realize this applies to THEIR Medical Care also. If you wouldn't submit your fur baby to rude staff why would you tolerate it yourself? ✌️
not for nothing the conversation the nurse was having with the receptionist wasn't her (OP)business and the nurse is clocked out(remember she's on lunch) the OP isn't dumb she knows everyone is on break so instead of making the front desk girl be uncomfortable and wasting the nurse's lunch take you're cat and insurance elsewhere..and this is KAREN mentality because IT WASN'T HER BUSINESS she's not even staying at this vet's office and she's going to complain I. Hopes of what?getting the nurse fired?she should of had this energy with the nurse herself instead of getting others involved
This Cat Guardian has good reason to cancel her insurance plan. However, she should first make certain that the Practice Manager understands what transpired. So do the Vets. That woman has no business being in contact with patient guardians. Management needs to know what she did and how offensive she was to you and who knows how many other people. PLEASE TELL THEM NOW.
No. No, this is not you being a Karen, this is you wanting an explanation for a reservation they could not keep and a complaint about how you were badly treated. NTA, definitely
Yes. Get another vet. Why is this a debate. They treated you like s**t. You're not a tree. You have legs. Move on. Why are you even asking?
I don't really understand the original question. AITA for not using a particular business anymore? Why in the world would you be? You could decide you don't want to go there anymore because you don't like their new wallpaper, or for any other reason. And if you're leaving because of a bad experience, it's a *courtesy* to explain to management why you're doing that. They should want to know.
Maybe just maybe when someone says we're all going to lunch back here that simply means everyone that's supposed to go on break and a few are scheduled to actually stay and go later. I'm sure everyone doesn't just go all at the same time and leave animals being cared for completely unattended. I've worked in an office that does that and most go at at 12 while maybe 2 or 3 go at like 1. Also you cant fire someone who works for themselves, you just stopped being a client/patient/customer.
Not true. You hire people like doctors just like you hire anyone else to do a job. And it really shuts them up when you tell them "you're fired."
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I made an appointment to get a root canal. Apparently the dental assistant never got the memo because she was 5 feet away from me complaining about how she had to stay late, and just all around treating me like a burden for an appointment I made a week before and was really looking forward to. When they gave me the price I said I can't afford it today and needed to come back. I went to a different dentist the same day and gave them the couple thousand dollars for it. I needed to get a decent amount of work done and did everything with my new dentist. I've always worked on commission and refuse to give money to people like that.
i've had some a hole cats but my vet and all the staff have always been patient and kind with them! once i had one staying over for treatments for a couple of days and they let me in the back to visit with him every day. i kept apologizing for being a crazy cat lady but they were all so nice about it.
Banfield does NOT sell pet insurance so this article is confusing at best. They do sell wellness plans but technically it is not an insurance plan at all. Sounds like this person was upset they had to wait a whole hour at the doctor's like most people do... What a dumb article and waste of time
The title is misleading. You can't "fire" your vet. When you go to a vet office you are a customer and your animal is the patient. So you can stop going to that vet but you can't "fire" them, that's just stupid
No some vets do staggered lunches so they can get pets in and out even at noon. My ex's practice closed at 1 on Saturdays so a noon appointment was guaranteed to be quick. The vet is the issue and thier staff not thr owner that was lied to.
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Yeah, I'm about the "be a Karen" when the maintenance office opens on Tuesday over our new death trap elevator in my building and the useless "security guard" that just stared instead of helping. Kinda unrelated but it just happened a few hours ago and I'm still LIVID. My 2yo could have been seriously injured and her older sister feels responsible because she pressed the button too quickly.
Load More Replies... I had a similar issue with a vet over my cat, Pixie. Pixie was, how can I say it... a bit highly strung with a diva attitude. The vet nurses would talk badly about her and one even called her an effing b*tch when she thought I couldn't hear. I complained and took my cat and my money elsewhere. You wouldn't shout and swear at a toddler throwing a tantrum so shouting at a scared animal is just as bad in my book. Especially when I'm paying you for a service
They're supposed to be trained in how to safely (both tech & animal) handle a rowdy patient. Those who can't need a different career.
Load More Replies... I had a poor interaction with a vet tech when I brought my guide dog in for surgery some years ago. Besides being generally abrasive, she ended with, "if we forget to call you to pick her up you can always call us after 5pm." How do you forget about a surgical patient? Anyway, the following day the vet called to see how my dog was recovering and I mentioned that I was concerned about the tech and before I could say more he interjected, "don't worry, she won't be a concern for much longer." I don't know if he fired her or she quit but I never saw her again.
Worst experience with a vet I had was with our guinea pig years and years back. He went off his food and really wasn't himself... so to the vet we went. Our appointment was half an hour late - we were fine with that as assumed it was an emergency in before us. Nope... vet just fussing over a dog in for a check up (from the parting words to owner). We got in... not so much as an apology. She took our guinea pig from his carrier, spun him round onto his back causing him to squeak and all but threw him back at me with a curt "it's fine". So... next day, guinea pig not eating... getting weaker. Requested another vet and back we went. She checked him gently and on pressing his tummy area, pus came from his... intimate bits. He had a bad infection. We were less than happy and made a huge complaint. Fine for a vet to prefer dogs over rodents... but her negligence could have killed him. She should have cared about our pet just as much as the dog she saw before us.
Wow that's insane. They always say you have to find one who's specialised in rabbits and guinea pigs. The one I found was so sweet and very good and cheap.
Load More Replies... I sacked my first vet because of the receptionist. I'd just adopted a rescue cat and he had been treated badly by his previous owner so he had a lot of anxiety issues. I registered with the vet closest to me and made an appointment to get him a medical exam. We booked in at the reception desk, and this enormous dog appeared from behind the desk and started sniffing around the carrier and scrabbling away at it. My poor wee cat was terrified, and I asked the receptionist to please call the dog back. "Oh don't be silly, he's just playing, he likes to play with others" OK, he might have been a friendly dog, but my cat didn't know that. So I asked her again, and she pulled the dig back, but told me "You're too anxious to have pets, it's not good for them to have nervous parents, they pick up their mood from you." I was too gobsmacked to reply, but I never went back there, emailed the vet to say why but didn't even get the courtesy of a reply.
Lotzen F****r, I don't know if you're a congenital idiot or a negative seeking troll. Either way, I feel sorry for you, trying to get kicks like this, what a sad life you must live.
Load More Replies... A Calico Cat 🐈 had been living under our handicapped ramp for a few days. I put food and water down for her but she wouldn't come out until she heard the kitchen door close. One day I ask my son to sit by the door and close it. She was out in a split second and I was ready for her. I grabbed her before she could hide away again and I was horrified. She was covered in scabs from nose to tail and hairless from her mid back to her tail. I almost dropped her because I was shocked at her condition. My vet is a bit away so I rushed her to the town Vet. I was frantic to get her help and then he said he recognized this cat as he had DECLAWED HER!!!! I picked up my Calico Girl and asked a few questions. I then told him what I thought of doctors who hide behind their degrees to amputate a kittens fingers. I went straight to my regular vet and she was so comforting to this shaking, crying 6 month old baby. I found out her age, medical history and the name of her former owner. I went to meet her for coffee to find out anything else I could about the still unnamed bald, sick Calico cat. As soon as I got her home she made a beeline for the nearest door. She had run down into the basement. She hid herself away and I could never find her. For a month she wouldn't come out of hiding but her skin was healing along with her broken heart 💔. I'd call her for her meals but I never saw her. My husband had been on a business trip so he didn't know Sweetie was there. One day my husband came home from work and started reading his newspaper when Sweetie made her grand entrance and introduced herself to her new human by laying on her back across his feet purring. My Sweetie loved on us until her heart failed her 11 days before her 19th Birthday. Sweetie-Paws Crossed Rainbow 🌈 Bridge April 23rd of this year. For the 1st time in 44 years of marriage we are without a furry child in the house.
Aw Susan, what a kind thing to do and I'm sorry for your loss. Bless you for taking care of fur babies. Hugs.
Load More Replies... What kind of outfit books appointments over lunch? Sounds like a very slapdash operation, I would have given a poor review also.
Banfield is part of PetCo stores (or PetSmart, I can't remember which). They sell pets and pet supplies, but a few years ago they started offering grooming and vet services. So basically it's Corporate America running a vet clinic.
Load More Replies... I've "fired" doctors for their staff. My mom worked in clinic offices. She noticed a huge drop in patients whenever they hired a rude office worker or nurse. This happened in multiple workplaces for her. We would switch doctors but also tell the doctor what we are switching because of the staff member. I don't see how a vet clinic would be any different. I'd be more worried if I wouldn't be in the room to see what is happening. A friend "fired" a vet because the nurse jerked on some tape to rip it from a sedated cat's arm and jerked the entire cat off of the table. Poor thing slammed on the floor. My friend complained to the doc. Doc brushed it off. At the next quick check up, my friend asked about that cat again and the doc brushed it off. She didn't feel comfortable going back and definitely wouldn't allow her pet to undergo any procedures there. Humans or pets, it's the same. Staff is c**p, go somewhere else
Unless there's a legit reason, I'm going back with my pet. If they give me some B.S. why I can't, it make me wonder what c**p they are up to and we leave.
Load More Replies... I knew it was going to be Banfield even before I got to that part. They're the worst. A local, independent vet is always the way to go. And it's a pet owners job to speak for our pets; they can't do it for themselves.
Banfield does have a bad reputation. Not sure if this is the case with all of them, but the one near my house admitted their "pet nurses" were not certified, licensed technicians. I was an LVT and I noped right out of there. Also, my pup acted scared to be there. She's currently very happy at her new doctor's office. Listen to your pets-they know.
We took our rescue pup to Banfield once - because we got a free visit with an adoption. While the care seemed adequate for a first visit/shots, etc. we were subjected to their timeshare presentation about the pet insurance for over two hours. Every new person would come in, greet the dog, and ask if anyone had spoken to us about their insurance plans. We would say yes, then they'd launch into it again. After our two and a half hour appointment, we noped out of there. The high-pressure sales pitch was too much. They cared and talked more about the insurance plan than our dog's health.
Load More Replies... This whole story is bizarre on so many levels but to be honest the worst part is OP's own mother telling her she was being a Karen. What, women can't complain about anything anymore no matter how bad it is? I literally cannot even. Also, is this an American thing or what? In the UK they don't make appointments for when nobody is available and also everyone doesn't take lunch at the same time. If Americans are just scheduling customers in for times nobody is there and haven't even thought of the obvious practice of having people take lunch at different times it seriously makes me wonder how the country even functions.
Yeah the whole “Karen” thing is just another way to shut women up.
Load More Replies... a commentor said that the title was 'clickbait'. i disagree. you hire a professional for their services. when i relocated to a new area i made appts for a couple of drs and, once in the room, told them i was paying for this appt in order to interview them. did the same with my vet. some drs were amused but understood that you need a dr that you are comfortable with in order to be an advocate for yourself. some were very offended. too effin' bad.
That is so clever! I do something similar for my kids. Their daycare teachers want meds for literally every runny nose and a doctor's visit for every fever. I use these minor things to check out the docs. Same for dentists when it's time for a free cleaning, I have wisdom teeth that need removed, most places tell me "Yes, they will need to be removed. They will push your other teeth and cause problems. But they are fine now, come back when there is an issue. BTW, there is a cavity here, we suggest a crown. I'll send in the billing consultant." NOPE. Only one place said they'd do it a month after I had given birth. It was 2 hours away T.T
Load More Replies... Banfield is evil. I signed up for insurance, had a health issue, so was off work for months. They still charged me even when I tried to cancel then sent me to collections. And the vet told me if I didn't bring it current he wouldn't treat my animals, even if I paid cash that day. All they care about is shilling their products. They don't care about the animals.
Banfield is run by Petsmart. Petsmart's vets and groomers are not good. There have been many horror stories about the groomers injuring dogs because they were incompetent, and there was even an incident where a lady took her dog to Banfield and they mixed up her dog's diagnosis with another dog's diagnosis and told the lady "you have to the dog down" and then hung up but thankfully when they went to the vet the desk receptionist told them it was a mix up and they didn't have to put the dog down.
Load More Replies... NTA. You can say what you mean without being mean. The Vet was rude and ignorant and you absolutely did the right thing. If he treated you like you didn't matter, how would your pet have faired if treated by a big, strange, scary Bully?
I have a senior dog with a lot of health issues. She has neurological problems as well as arthritis and anxiety. We went to a wonderful vet for years but sadly he sold his practice to a complete jerk. The wonderful staff began dwindling down and were replaced by new staff hired by the jerk. We brought Lucy in once and the receptionist said, again? When are you going to put her down? We left immediately. I called the office manger, aka the jerks wife and she told me I was too sensitive. We never went back. I reached out to a local rescue and inquired about what vet they used and started going there. Lucy is still a with us, living her best life. Animals are family and should be treated as such.
NTA. This was truly unprofessional by both workers at the desk; the one who was a straight up bully to the OP and the desk sitter who tried passing off a "manager" number that was really for the desk. It's not a shock that the noon hour is lunch but usually businesses with customers around the clock do stagger lunches so there is always someone at hand to assist or keep things going. Otherwise, why schedule someone at that time? My cat is NOT a vet lover at all; she freaking screams and tries to bite them for her yearly vaccines, but never has any of them been anything but sweet to her and me as I apologize over and over for my temperamental calico. NTA
Good to know about Banfield --there is one closer to me than my current vet and I've been thinking if I should switch just to save on the travel time. Now I won't need to wonder. Also, why wouldn't the owner allowed to be there with her pet? Except during COVID, I've always been in the same room when my cat does his checkups.
As I was reading this I was thinking to myself this sounds like something Banfield would pull.. and Yep! When I worked for the vets, we *Never* booked appointments at noon. Some vets offices are great and others are gawd awful! always try to read reviews from different sources to find a decent one and never feel bad if you feel you need to go to another one.
Unless it was a lunchtime business meeting all vets attended because it was mandatory, they should never break for lunch at the same time. When I was a vet tech the docs staggered their lunch breaks because EMERGENCIES HAPPEN at lunchtime. This practice is dangerous. I wouldn't go there with any pet.
Load More Replies... "Karen" is just the politically acceptable way of saying get in the kitchen, make me a sandwich and bring me a beer.
3 things. First - I think the medication she is talking about is Gabapentin. It worked wonders with our cattos until we could find a mobile vet (which is even better). Second - Blubbpaule - f**k you. Just f**k you in the m***********g face for being a f*****g c**t. "clickbait title." Shut the f*****g f**k up, you f**k. Third - no, I'm not angry, why do you ask?
Banfield choked mu chihuahua while cutting her nails. She is 4lbs wtw?
Some vets´ receptionists/nurses are complete idiots, I hope the woman went to another vet at the end with her cat. BTW, the vet who treated now Angel Gizzy and who helped him cross the bridge peacefully with #KidneyFailureIsAnAsshole has the first, very kind young MALE receptionist that I ever met. 😮😮😮 In Germany normally receptionists are FEMALE.
I'm sorry for your loss Marion. We lost our BigBoy last year to kidney failure. We adopted him and his sister Pretty Girl together. PG passed away a few years before BB. My wife and I knew something was wrong when he didn't want breakfast that morning. I made him a little bit of roast beef to get him to eat something and I held him untill it was time to go to the vet.
Load More Replies... No compromise in regard to any pet ever. Never return there. They're not worth your time, but, you know ... people might ask you for a vet you can recommend. More important, make sure they know which one isn't what any reasonable mind would consider a sound choice. My cat is pissed, too, when we're at the vet's.
Do not go back there! The operation is no unprofessional! Staff going out for lunch while patients are still waiting? No way!!! You 100% did the right thing for your fur baby, like you said she can't speak for herself. She's lucky to have you. Please give her a little scratch between the ears for us.
"When I can be in the room" -- wait, what now? I have NEVER just handed over my cat. Ever. I am in the room for the examination, any treatment, etc. Always. I hold my cat, I soothe my cat. I DID dump a vet because he sedated my cat in front of me, without telling me what he was doing. Imagine my shock when she suddenly howled, threw up and went limp! Gave him a piece of my mind afterward, because NO. You do NOT do that without telling me exactly what you're doing. Took my little girl to the (new) vet this morning (nasty bum, and her mycoplasma infection seems to have come back) and she was very sweet with her, told me what she's doing, and appreciated that I was holding her and keeping her cooperative. (All my cats are good at the vet) Even when she had to get a sample of her infected rear with a needle, she told me exactly what, and I was having the cat plastered against my chest, just keeping her still while soothing her. Can't imagine not being in there!
Why is it that every time I read these stories about bad vet visits I know that it's a freaking Banfield? Even without them explicitly saying so. It's Always Banfield. Don't take your pets there. They're shady as hell and I stopped taking my pets there years ago after they nearly killed my mom's cat.
Aside from bringing a pet in for surgery I've never been to a vet appointment with any of our pets where I wasn't in the room? That would have had me looking for a new vet by itself. The only time I fired a vet was an opposite situation. We found one of our dogs barely able to stand, eyes unfocussed and shaking at around 1145 am. Grabbed the dog, with my mom driving called on the way to the vet for an emergency visit to be told they were at lunch ( there are 3 vets and x# of techs in the office) and would not be able to see him till 2:45. We were long term patients with 4 dogs and 2 cats. Looked online for a vet in same town ( by now it's 10 to 12) called the next vet, the receptionist said. "We are closed for lunch but bring him in immediately, knock on the door I will let you in." 10 minutes later we were with the new vet, and they were starting ivf. Poor dog had botulism, which is very odd for a dog and would have died. Our pets have thrived under his care for 14 years now.
I've fired my doctor over how his staff behaved. I would be sure the Vet was aware of his staff's behavior.
Speaking out on being treated horribly is NOT what a karen/kyle is. People use the "karen" term way too loosely as a way to shut women up who speak their minds. Its just another misogynist tactic. People need to learn what a karen really is before using it.
I think I'm more upset about that TERRIBLE insurance policy. $35/month into a savings account would be WAY more value. But yeah, nothing a-hole-ish about taking your business elsewhere for any reason, especially after such rude treatment. OP might be a bit of a "crazy cat lady" but not in a harmful way, and not judging by anything they said to the staff.
I don't know what's so bad about taking your business elsewhere if you don't like the service at an establishment. That's sort of what a free market is all about.
I've never heard anything positive about Banfield. I used them in an emergency once and they were okay but extremely pricey. I wouldn't use them as a regular vet though.
The vet seems to not be the problem.You don't judge somebody by their employee's bad attitude.It's your pet & you have a right to take it where you want, but that vet can't help what his workers say.And they took care of your pet.
Thank you to OP & commenters for having the courage of actually naming the place as it allows other loving and caring pet owners to avoid their furry babies from being mistreated by this below par establishment.
I used to do a fair bit of cat rescue. When I found a stray, I would take the stray in to the vet for an examination, vaccination, and spay/ neuter. Then I would find a home for the cat. When I brought in a new cat the receptionist gave me this look and said, "Another one?" I was annoyed. Excuse me for saving stray cats and paying full price to have them medically treated.
Long story short, I took my cat to the vet for imaging of her gallbladder to rule out some issues. The vet I saw the day before said that since my cat was uncontrollable when I was not near her, to let the imaging vet know it was okay for me to be in the room with my cat. I told the new vet this and she refused to let me go with my cat and said she needed my permission to sedate my cat. I told her I wasn't going to take the risk of sedation on my cat for a preventative test, and I will pay for the test if we can do it without sedating my cat. The vet refused to let me be with my cat so I took my cat and left. No regrets.
My sister's cat was VERY ill (dying!!) & she wanted to bring him in to have him examined (& most likely euthanized) Receptionist said that there weren't any openings & refused to let my sis talk to the vet or his assistant (my sis had been a client for over 20 years wi numerous cats & dogs). Poor George died at 3 AM in the midst of a seizure. I told her to tell the vet or the asst. how bitchy the receptionist was & "suggest" the clinic hire a new receptionist as there current one should not be dealing with the public! She adopted another cat & is seeing a different vet.
I changed my vet because I did not like the way my cat was treated and my boyfriend (who is not into making a fuss or much of a cat person) was just as outraged as I was. My kitty is SUCH a sweet kitty but at the vet, she becomes a devil cat who gets stressed there. The admitted that they had never seen a Devon Rex but heard they are 'drama queens'. They wanted to sedate her every visit, HELL NO. I went to a new vet and they just love her and her sass as they call it.....best move ever
Any vet could be good or bad. Most vet offices are being bought up by corporations these days - a "small local vet" might be corporate as well. We've used Banfield for years, and care has ranged from fine to extraordinarily good and compassionate. The "insurance" is a program that consolidates typical annual cost into a predictable monthly fee, with discounts for some services. They cheerfully provided all the prices for me to total and decide.
What the hell? This articles layout is a mess lol. How many times will it loop back to an earlier point in telling the story. That journalism minor is really paying off
As I isolationist my Mini Kitty is also one. I'm VERY fortunate to have a Vet & Veterinary Staff that understands this & gives her "Mama Hormones" and lets her chill out before her treatment or exam. Thank God they understand MY anxiety also. Just because a business has "Doctor" attached to it does NOT mean they're Supreme Beings, nor are their Staff. Humans need to realize this applies to THEIR Medical Care also. If you wouldn't submit your fur baby to rude staff why would you tolerate it yourself? ✌️
not for nothing the conversation the nurse was having with the receptionist wasn't her (OP)business and the nurse is clocked out(remember she's on lunch) the OP isn't dumb she knows everyone is on break so instead of making the front desk girl be uncomfortable and wasting the nurse's lunch take you're cat and insurance elsewhere..and this is KAREN mentality because IT WASN'T HER BUSINESS she's not even staying at this vet's office and she's going to complain I. Hopes of what?getting the nurse fired?she should of had this energy with the nurse herself instead of getting others involved
This Cat Guardian has good reason to cancel her insurance plan. However, she should first make certain that the Practice Manager understands what transpired. So do the Vets. That woman has no business being in contact with patient guardians. Management needs to know what she did and how offensive she was to you and who knows how many other people. PLEASE TELL THEM NOW.
No. No, this is not you being a Karen, this is you wanting an explanation for a reservation they could not keep and a complaint about how you were badly treated. NTA, definitely
Yes. Get another vet. Why is this a debate. They treated you like s**t. You're not a tree. You have legs. Move on. Why are you even asking?
I don't really understand the original question. AITA for not using a particular business anymore? Why in the world would you be? You could decide you don't want to go there anymore because you don't like their new wallpaper, or for any other reason. And if you're leaving because of a bad experience, it's a *courtesy* to explain to management why you're doing that. They should want to know.
Maybe just maybe when someone says we're all going to lunch back here that simply means everyone that's supposed to go on break and a few are scheduled to actually stay and go later. I'm sure everyone doesn't just go all at the same time and leave animals being cared for completely unattended. I've worked in an office that does that and most go at at 12 while maybe 2 or 3 go at like 1. Also you cant fire someone who works for themselves, you just stopped being a client/patient/customer.
Not true. You hire people like doctors just like you hire anyone else to do a job. And it really shuts them up when you tell them "you're fired."
Load More Replies... I made an appointment to get a root canal. Apparently the dental assistant never got the memo because she was 5 feet away from me complaining about how she had to stay late, and just all around treating me like a burden for an appointment I made a week before and was really looking forward to. When they gave me the price I said I can't afford it today and needed to come back. I went to a different dentist the same day and gave them the couple thousand dollars for it. I needed to get a decent amount of work done and did everything with my new dentist. I've always worked on commission and refuse to give money to people like that.
i've had some a hole cats but my vet and all the staff have always been patient and kind with them! once i had one staying over for treatments for a couple of days and they let me in the back to visit with him every day. i kept apologizing for being a crazy cat lady but they were all so nice about it.
Banfield does NOT sell pet insurance so this article is confusing at best. They do sell wellness plans but technically it is not an insurance plan at all. Sounds like this person was upset they had to wait a whole hour at the doctor's like most people do... What a dumb article and waste of time
The title is misleading. You can't "fire" your vet. When you go to a vet office you are a customer and your animal is the patient. So you can stop going to that vet but you can't "fire" them, that's just stupid
No some vets do staggered lunches so they can get pets in and out even at noon. My ex's practice closed at 1 on Saturdays so a noon appointment was guaranteed to be quick. The vet is the issue and thier staff not thr owner that was lied to.
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