Culture of Billing Overcharges

Koko2 · Oct 06, 2011 at 07:17 AM

I called to get an auto insurance quote before getting the auto, and the actual amount being charged is a transposed figure ($407 became $470 per term). My quotes in the past thirty years have been mainly accurate, but the rep told me it's "expected" and "commonly known" that the actual premium will be more than quoted. And my dentist informed me multiple times that the latest procedure would be just under $400, then I was billed over $600 by the desk clerk after the procedure. The insurance is non-profit and the dentist is through a dental school, so this culture of overcharges extends strangely even to non-profits.

Ygrec23 · Oct 06, 2011 at 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koko2

I called to get an auto insurance quote before getting the auto, and the actual amount being charged is a transposed figure ($407 became $470 per term). My quotes in the past thirty years have been mainly accurate, but the rep told me it's "expected" and "commonly known" that the actual premium will be more than quoted. And my dentist informed me multiple times that the latest procedure would be just under $400, then I was billed over $600 by the desk clerk after the procedure. The insurance is non-profit and the dentist is through a dental school, so this culture of overcharges extends strangely even to non-profits.

Non-profit auto insurance? Hmmmmmmmmmmm. First time I've heard of that. And they STILL underestimated their quote? Weird. Did you talk to a higher-up and try to hold them to their quote?

And with the dentist, same question. Did you remind the front desk that you'd been given a specific price? Did you talk with the dentist?

In my experience (which includes lots of attempted overcharges such as you describe), I've found that a substantial percentage of such overreachers (at least fifty percent) back down from their rather shoddy attempts to get more out of your wallet. They know that the majority of people won't make a fuss, so it doesn't matter to them to oil the one squeaky wheel (you).

The vast majority of people in business really do want to retain your repeat business, worth far more than these petty overcharges, and want you to leave their premises happy with what you've received. I'd be surprised if you couldn't get them to back down in many cases. Take care!

Koko2 · Oct 06, 2011 at 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ygrec23

Did you talk to a higher-up and try to hold them to their quote?

And with the dentist, same question. Did you remind the front desk that you'd been given a specific price? Did you talk with the dentist?

I'm awaiting a breakdown of the insurance quote after calling them to discuss. I was gassed up on anesthesia and could barely talk when I paid the dental bill, and I don't want to upset them because my next operation is quoted as costing twice as much, and I shudder to think how much I'll be charged if I rub them the wrong way. And they do say something at the start about how the actual cost may be "a little bit more". They also say how they're just covering costs, but the amount being charged is the same as the figure I got from an expensive private practice dentist for the identical procedure.

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