JustAnswers.com Inscrutable, confusing way of presenting your balance sheet makes you pay triple!!! San Francisco California Internet

In Winter 2008, I actually had a good experience with a veterinary question. Thus, when I had another, separate vexsome vet problem arise--as in the first case, I'd already been to a vet, needed more information, a second opinion--I decided to content myself that I was following the best course by going to justanswer.com for a second opinion. I don't make such a decision lightly, a problem has to be very worrisome to me, as money is a major issue for me.

I posted my question concerning a stitch that might not have been removed on my dog after she was attacked by pitbulls and needed extensive subcutaneous absorbable stitches and nylon stitches outside (the latter were removed on schedule, but weeks later a blue nylon stitch became visible). My vet had been unable to get it out, and I was concerned about how safe it was to leave it in.

I offered $40 since it was a complex question - I also noted my concerns about all the medicines she was now on. Got an answer that was basically "It's OK," I felt reassured I was doing what was right. I had one follow on question, thought I put down another $20 for it.

But actually, the advice was bad - the stitch turned out to be an extruding subcutaneous stitch that would never dissolve, it did cause infection and another $300 bill. (On top of my original $1500 on this whole matter).

Worse, when I went to pay the $300 at the hospital, my Visa was declined. I was shocked!!! Used another card, hurried home to review my account. It turned out that what I thought was $50 ($40 plus $10 leeway) +10 had been charged to my account as $122 ($50 + $40 + 32). Just enough to set me over, so now I also had an overdraft charge of $35.

I concede I'm not the best person on math, but honestly, I'd looked long and hard at the way they depicted my account and never for a minute thought I was putting down that much money! What crazy person would? If I had that kind of money, I could have gone back to Penn Vet for an in person consult.

I wrote back to question how that bill came about, they wrote back "Do you want us to ask the expert for a refund?" and I wrote back "Yes, I certainly would!" Anyone could have told that that must have been an error. Now they are on radio silence and won't respond, my account has not been credited.

What was wrong with me!!!! How can someone who's supposed to be reasonably bright and educated have actually believed that there were caring professionals who could help at a difficult time? (This whole episode has been highly traumatic.) They don't care, and I should have known better!

The vet in Winter actually had a good answer, so maybe there's a problem of very uneven levels of "experts." But on this occasion, I subsequently did a couple of hours of online research on sutures and problems that can arise with them, and got a lot more out of that.

I hate myself for being a stupid person who, when stressed out by all the vet problems, sought a quick answer from an "expert." I should have just done my own slow and steady work online to learn what the possible problem would be. But the main thing I hate is that they present your balance in such a way that you can be confused how much they have charged you to date and wind up getting charges you had no idea you authorized.

I wish I didn't have to work and could devote myself full time to exposing what they're up to. No one should be ripped off like I was at a time that I stated to them was traumatic because my expenses were mounting up so on this incident and I was at loose ends.

Trudy
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.