Four ways to curb no shows

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As the veterinary community continues to face a high volume of clients, plus dealing with the veterinarian shortage, clients that are no-shows can be a frustrating occurrence to staff and clients who could not get an appointment that day. On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, Wendy S. Myers, CVJ, gives host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, 4 strategies that veterinary practices can implement to help get clients in the door.

Wendy S. Myers, CVJ: I think there are some other options which I'll share for you today that are actually better than collecting a deposit. The other word of caution I'll give you Dr Chrisman is that it depending upon where you're located, in what state like California and Colorado have very different business laws around deposits and you have to be really careful what you call it. That's why I heard you use the term prepayment. Because in California, if it's a deposit, you have to actually have a published and posted deposit policy so that your clients know what the rules are. The local laws may require you to do a refund. Whereas in Colorado, it sides with business, and you don't have to give a refund regardless of the reason. So I will tell you, if you are going to collect deposits, check your local ordinances first, to say that you're going to follow the rules and then be very careful of what you call it. But my advice, don't charge a deposit.