Being too nice and getting taken advantage of.

[flyingsaucersarereal]

So I was in the hospital with my girlfriend because recently she got bit by a stray cat. 

 

I am not a doctor but apparently you have to keep going back to get a series of shots for this to be safe.

 

Anyway we both go up to the cashier and the bill has a extra 220 baht charge. 

 

I say to the lady I am sorry why is this charge here. She says that is the charge to see the doctor. I say we already saw the doctor on the first visit and the last 2 visits have not had this charge.

 

Well sorry sir you have to pay this. I said I am not going to pay this and I want to speak to the manager. Meanwhile my girlfriend is upset at me because people are looking at me like I am cheap. She keeps saying don't worry I will pay I will pay. I am like just relax lets see what the manager says. So the lady calls a supervisor on the phone and they waive the charge for me in about 5 mins.

 

Anyway my question is the girlfriend got really annoyed with me for doing this is the right course of action to just get ripped off?

[Farangwithaplan]

it's 220 baht. It sounds like your girl is getting virorab shots to make sure she does not get rabies.

 

If you don;'t like paying 220 baht extra per visit, go to the local chemist and do the shots yourself.

 

[flyingsaucersarereal]

The price was about 600 baht then they added a 220 baht charge. I questioned them on it and it was waived. If I said nothing I would have had to pay.

 

What is wrong with questioning something? 

[Genmai]

14 minutes ago, flyingsaucersarereal said:

What is wrong with questioning something?

In this place? Everything.

We're supposed to play into their silly games of overcharge the stupid farang. Questioning breaks their game and stops happy-happy-fun-time leading to pouty faces and their cheating on display. Oopsies! 

Personally I check and contest every single extra charge, no matter how small, but that's only because I've stopped caring about their perception of me entirely. It gives me a kick when I do it.

 

Had a funny one in Bali. Asked the hotel receptionist to call a taxi for me. 2 minutes later he comes back with a tray and a bill. 

"What's this?"

"Telephone charge"

*blank stare* - "I'm not paying for that".

"Oh..... Okay"

[Farangwithaplan]

1 hour ago, flyingsaucersarereal said:

The price was about 600 baht then they added a 220 baht charge. I questioned them on it and it was waived. If I said nothing I would have had to pay.

 

What is wrong with questioning something? 

nothing at all. If you don't like my comment, you can ignore it. I found it fascinating. Good for you asking. But my concern would have been about my girl potentially getting rabies and not 220 baht. I found it odd is all. The fee is the fee and it might always be broken down to show a component for the doctor for their system or whatever.

 

I hope you are on the last shot, because i'd be paranoid the next one might only be saline. Seriously, but that's just me.

 

I'm seeing your point, but I am less inclined to argue about finances when I am still in treatment. I'm happy to negotiate up front, but to change the status quo...

 

Edited March 28, 2019 by Farangwithaplan

[richard_smith237]

I consider question such things quite reasonable. 

 

Your girlfriend was embarrassed because she imagined she lost face when you questioned the bill. She assumed you were being difficult... 'faring think too much' and making a scene. 

 

In reality you were just being sensible...   I hear stories of Thai's who question the bill down to the satang in restaurants, yet when it comes to something like this at a hospital they just accept it - it's strange for us to accept what is clearly institutionalized padding of a bill. 

 

Hospitals do it all the time...  I had a DVT about 10 years ago. As a precaution I take Clexane (heparin) when I fly, I used to get this from my hospital as I couldn't find a pharmacy which stocked it. 

But, a Hospital Pharmacy will not issue Clexane without a prescription. So, I had to see the Dr... at my regular hospital where I was treated follow up with my DVT. Fine that's their policy. I'm asked to have my Blood pressure, weight and height taken... and this is where I become the difficult 'farang'... I tell them I'm not unwell, I am just here to have a prescription issued...  After I'm told 'I have to'...  I refuse the 'Blood pressure, weight and height' rubbish, I'm being stubborn, the hospital staff give up on me... After a short wait I'm in and out to see my Haematologist. 

 

I have to pay at the cashier before I collect my prescription. The charge consists of: Dr's fee, Medication (clexane) and a Nurses fee. I ask what the nurses fee is for and they tell me its for my Blood Pressure checks etc...  (I know this because I had the daft charge the previous time, so I was seeing what would happen if I refused the Blood test)...  "But I didn't have the blood test I argued"...  I'm told I have to pay anyway !!!! The Hospital adds the charge regardless - This annoys me (especially when its about 500baht or something similar at Samitivej).

I've tried to obtain Clexane at a cheaper local hospital, but I waited for an age, then the Dr. decided to do a full investigation, interviewed me for 30mins, gave me physical once over... (basically he did his job properly - so no real complaints there)... 2 hrs later I'm told - come back next week for Clexane !!! and the kicker - the charge for the medication was more than the top tier hospital. 

 

I have since found a pharmacy where I can just order Clexane over the counter - but that was not before encountering the song and dance, bumf and palaver of the hospitals padding their bill.

 

 

 

 

 

[lopburi3]

If you do not agree with the price charged you do not return, go elsewhere - you do not confront over small issues.  Not our nature and very hard to do at times - but it is the Thai way and yes she lost face because of it.  

 

Edit:  but in this case appears to have been an error if previous bills did not charge that fee so questioning IMHO was justified if could be done in low key manner.

Edited March 29, 2019 by lopburi3

[ricklev]

9 hours ago, Genmai said:

In this place? Everything.

We're supposed to play into their silly games of overcharge the stupid farang. Questioning breaks their game and stops happy-happy-fun-time leading to pouty faces and their cheating on display. Oopsies! 

Personally I check and contest every single extra charge, no matter how small, but that's only because I've stopped caring about their perception of me entirely. It gives me a kick when I do it.

 

Had a funny one in Bali. Asked the hotel receptionist to call a taxi for me. 2 minutes later he comes back with a tray and a bill. 

"What's this?"

"Telephone charge"

*blank stare* - "I'm not paying for that".

"Oh..... Okay"

I was on Samui a few years ago and a songthaew  driver was threatening and waving a knife at the passengers who were refusing to pay a ridiculously inflated price.  I went into a nearby hotel and quickly explained the situation and asked them to call the police.  The front desk clerk insisted on payment in advance for the phone call before he would call the police.  Not my best moment, but I flipped out and started screaming and swearing at that point.  

Edited March 29, 2019 by ricklev

[justin case]

12 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Clexane

alternative name:

Enoxaparin sodium is an anticoagulant medication. It is used to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism including during pregnancy and following certain types of surgery. It is also used in those with acute coronary syndrome and heart attacks.

 

you could just take GARLIC with every meal and no need for this chemical crap

 

 

look at this dudes

 

Possible side effects of Clexane

• Bleeding. ...
• Pain and irritation at the injection site.
• Blood clots which form a solid swelling at the injection site (haematoma).
• Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia).
• Major bleeding (haemorrhage), for example in the abdomen or inside the skull.

 

[dotpoom]

"Being too nice and getting taken advantage of."

   I don't see the connection between your headline (above) and your narative.

 Being too nice didn't enter into the story?

PS. I think you took the right action.

[Will27]

I'm guessing that someone saw you with your girlfriend and decided to add the "farang surcharge".

[Thingamabob]

Such a lot of hassle over 220 baht. Amazing.

[mfd101]

1 hour ago, Will27 said:

I'm guessing that someone saw you with your girlfriend and decided to add the "farang surcharge".

My b/f usually makes sure I'm either not there or invisible whenever he needs to see doctor or visit hospital.

 

Ditto on visits to markets. In the case of small shops, he enters, decides what to buy, negotiates price, THEN invites me in to approve & pay ...

[dddave]

B220 aside, it's good thing you treated the cat bite aggressively and you should appreciate the good treatment your GF received. 

I was once waiting my turn  to be seen by a doctor in an EW. Just as my name was called, a man came in holding his hand which was puffed up like a balloon.  The doctor took one look, asked If I would wait and took the guy right into the exam room.  When I did see the doctor, I asked what happened.  Cat bite.  He explained that cats teeth are so sharp and smooth, that the wound often self seals, trapped inside very nasty bacteria that cats have in their saliva. This guys hand had been bitten 3 hours before and already the bacteria had multiplied enough to visibly puff his hand way up.  Cat bites are just as dangerous as any other animal bite.

[ChrisKC]

32 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Such a lot of hassle over 220 baht. Amazing.

I am sure you realise it is a matter of principle.  Overcharging and ripping off, which in my opinion is nothing less than stealing by stealth, from a few baht to thousands of Baht occurs quite frequently in many places where they think they can get away with it!

 

Please tell us at what sum you would decide on the baht rather than the principle?

[BTB1977]

Let your girlfriend pay next time. She was the one that got bit by the cat. See if the 220 is a problem when it is her money.

[varun]

Considering the bogus doctor charge (without even seeing a doctor) was an extra 36% on top, 

good on you for pointing it out.

There are situations in Thailand when questioning the bill is the right thing to do - this is one of those situations.

[Cake Monster]

Every time you visit a Thai general Hospital, you will pay a small consultation fee

[GreasyFingers]

1 hour ago, ChrisKC said:

I am sure you realise it is a matter of principle.  Overcharging and ripping off, which in my opinion is nothing less than stealing by stealth, from a few baht to thousands of Baht occurs quite frequently in many places where they think they can get away with it!

 

Please tell us at what sum you would decide on the baht rather than the principle?

Have you been a cheap charlie all of you life. Do you buy you beer at 7/11 and sit outside on the steps instead of paying 80 at a bar. Sounds that would fit you.

How can anyone complain about 220 baht for hospital treatment when you would piss that against a wall most days.

[Thongkorn]

Stupid man what do you expect, your a Foreigner.

[zyxwv]

Learning the ropes makes negotiating so much easier. Speaking the language is the key.

[Thongkorn]

5 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

Have you been a cheap charlie all of you life. Do you buy you beer at 7/11 and sit outside on the steps instead of paying 80 at a bar. Sounds that would fit you.

How can anyone complain about 220 baht for hospital treatment when you would piss that against a wall most days.

 Morally right counts for nothing then , Thats why Thailand gets away with legal robbery. If enough people had balls and said No and question things , things would change instead of just rolling over,

[GreasyFingers]

2 minutes ago, Thongkorn said:

Stupid man what do you expect, your a Foreigner.

Your problem not mine.

[GreasyFingers]

1 minute ago, Thongkorn said:

 Morally right counts for nothing then , Thats why Thailand gets away with legal robbery. If enough people had balls and said No and question things , things would change instead of just rolling over,

Most of us live in Thailand because we no not want to put up with the PC s***. Hope you are happy here as I am.

[Lacessit]

19 hours ago, flyingsaucersarereal said:

The price was about 600 baht then they added a 220 baht charge. I questioned them on it and it was waived. If I said nothing I would have had to pay.

 

What is wrong with questioning something? 

Questioning something in Thailand is the same as complaining. In Thai culture, that's equivalent to insulting the person.

[observer90210]

In Thailand, people put far to much importance on loss of face and perhaps want to give an image in public that is not really theirs..... and this pattern can be found in many people, all over the world.

 

Things would be much more simple and friendly if people did not crave so much in pretending to be somebody or something they are not.

 

As for the cheating attempt, OP was right to challenge the bill as in Thailand the farang is plainly considered as a pigeon goat, only good for his money and nothing worth more. But have also noticed, they take farangs for fools, but if you slightly and sweetly argue the issue, they realise that maybe you are not that stupid and in fact do respect you a bit for yourself (and not just your ca$H)

Edited March 29, 2019 by observer90210

[from the home of CC]

did you kill the cat?

[mistral53]

31 minutes ago, Thongkorn said:

 Morally right counts for nothing then , Thats why Thailand gets away with legal robbery. If enough people had balls and said No and question things , things would change instead of just rolling over,

Have you heard of civil asset forfeiture? Thailand is by far not the worst country wen it come to legal highway robbery - uncle Sam has a big one up on Thailand on that....lol

[iroc4life]

I dont know where all this thai losing face for questioning a bill. My wife (Thai) Will scrutinize evey bill, hospital, water, power, internet, etc and fight over 10 baht if its wrong. Over charge or padding is never right period. Thats also why i do not go to national parks and pay 300% more than thais

[BritManToo]

3 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Such a lot of hassle over 220 baht. Amazing.

That's 15 pints of beer in Cambodia.

Or a day's wages for a Thai.

Edited March 29, 2019 by BritManToo