What would you do in this situation?

[amyandelle]

My dog has been really sick all week and he is getting out of the animal hospital tonight. We already paid them $553 but we owe them another $498. They want us to give them 5 post dated checks in the amount of $100. each that they can cash one every month. The problem is we don't have $100 a month to pay them. We can only afford $50 per month tops and even that is going to be a stretch.

I don't want to give them the checks. I don't feel comfortable giving them the checks up front because I don't want to have a problem if they end up bouncing. I would rather send them a check every month of at least $50 and then if we can afford more I will send more KWIM? They are not ok with that and said they have to have the post dated $100 checks.

What would you do? They have to give us our dog. They told us that themselves that the law says that they have to release our dog to us.

I would really appreciate any advice or suggestions.

Thanks,
Amy

[an_aurora]

I wouldn't give them those checks. I have done that before and then somebody comes along and tries to cash them all at once, and then you have tons of fees from your bank. I would explain that you will pay what you can every month. As long as you pay something every month your account is considered current and they can't send it to collections.

I hope your doggie feels better!

[mightymoo]

I wouldn't do it. I believe that post dating checks is technically illegal, and I would use that excuse.

[Naughty Dingo]

I would do a credit card and then do my best to pay off as much as I can each month.

I am a vet and at our clinic we required reimbursment at the time of services rendered, though at times we did do a barter if the client was a long term one. It sounds like your clinic is trying to work out a payment plan, which is nice of them, but it still doesn't work for your family It is really hard, I know, because the bills can get huge quickly.

The clinic needs to be reimbursed for it's services rendered, most clinics are operating on a very tight budget and rely on customers to pay up in order to be able to pay for the costs of supplies and meds. If you are limited in what you can pay each month, charging it may be a way to go, though the finance charges stink.

Good luck, I hope your pup feels better soon.

Erika

[prettypaws]

I would not put it on a credit card. And I wouldn't hand over those checks! I'd take my dog home and send them exactly what you can afford every month. I wouldn't even promise them $50. Can you really afford that comfortably? Maybe $25 a month. If you tell them $50 (which you say is a stretch) and then can't send it you're going to look worse. Like a PP said, as long as you pay something you're account would be considered current.

[NiteNicole]

You've already paid a large amount. I think if you just tell them you can't give them post dated checks and promise the $50/month they will probably just deal.

[starry_mama]

No matter what date you write on the check, theoretically they can cash them whever they want. As long as it is signed, the date doesn't really matter.

[SugarAndSun]

Originally Posted by mightymoo

I wouldn't do it. I believe that post dating checks is technically illegal, and I would use that excuse.

I'd go with this.

[Irishmommy]

Please post in Frugality and Finances.