Comments on: Should Customers Be Billed on What They Can Pay?

By: Gail

Gail — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:37:27 +0000

I think what your dad did was wonderful! If a business person can do such a thing it is wonderful also. What is hard is going to the doctor with no insurance, making sure the doctor knows this and then instead of prescribing the cheapest medication they prescribe the newest most expensive on the market. In otherwords being totally oblivious to the patients needs. My hubby has no health insurance and I’m on Medicare, we don’t ask for discounts or freebies, but we do ask the doctors to recognize that we can’t afford the pricey solutions.

Prior to going to the dentist my husband called to check on prices and was told an X-ray would be $25. He came home with a bill for $100 for the X-ray and several hundred for fillings, plus the dentist wanted him back for another $700 worth of work. It became a fiasco especially considering the filling he put in weren’t done right. But very sad that a dentist wouldn’t take the time to be honest and compassionate. I was told years ago I needed a crown at the cost of $450 which I didn’t have. Eventually I found a dentist that did the filling for around $50 and it is still secure doing what it is supposed to and saved me hundreds of dollars that I don’t have.

I guess what I’m saying is even if a business person can’t/doesn’t want to give discounts they should work with their customer is possible to help them achieve the cheapest solution to their problem if at all possible. I’m especially thinking of healthcare providers at this point. Most businesses are in business to make money and so they don’t want to offer a cheaper solution, but when it comes to healthcare you are trapped as there is no list of costs of services and those without insurance are charged more than those with. How does that make sense? If you could afford insurance you would have it.

By: Jay Gatsby

Jay Gatsby — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:42:57 +0000

I don’t believe that one’s means should dictate what one pays. The wealthy should not pay more (or full freight) just because they can afford it. In many cases, poverty is self-imposed. This is not to say that charity has no place in business, but it is extremely difficult to tell the difference between someone who couldn’t afford an essential service (i.e. medical care) under any circumstances, and someone who could afford it if they simply readjusted his/her budget accordingly.

By: David G. Mitchell

David G. Mitchell — Sat, 23 May 2009 17:47:28 +0000

Amy F. — I agree that large corporations could not give the “local” charitable deals that smaller businesses can offer. That said, I doubt many large corporations are reading my articles, either. If you read back to my previous article this month, you will note that I also make a pitch for shopping at Mom and Pop establishments. This article grew out of my development of the previous article . . . . just more of the symbiosis that we can find in local shopping!

By: Amy F. -Two Pennies Earned

Amy F. -Two Pennies Earned — Sat, 23 May 2009 03:01:04 +0000

This seems like a great philosophy/practice for a small business like your dad’s, but I don’t think it would work well for a large company. Without the personal connection, the company would not know which customers were in need, nor would it be able to trust those customers who claimed to be in need because if everyone knew about the company’s policy, some people would take advantage of their generosity. It’s too bad that we don’t have more small businesses these days that could practice such a charitable philosophy. Of course, lots of large corporations donate money to the community, but this is a much more indirect form of assistance and probably harder to obtain.

By: JT

JT — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:57:48 +0000

Voluntary charitable actions are great, particularly voluntary cooperative charity by groups. Enforced charitable action, or enforced wealth redistribution, is against freedom.

By: persephone

persephone — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:09:34 +0000

Mr. Jones — Socialism is a political philosophy. I believe David is proposing the concept of charitable humanity. Do you have any objection to voluntary charitable behaviour?

By: simpleyme

simpleyme — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:42:47 +0000

I find that people who really need help wont ask for it
and those that get help all the time know how to get their way

I like to help working class people when i can,in my line of work i deal with a lot of dishonest people so it has hardened my heart quite a bit ,but I get joy from helping those that really need help

i have always wondered how someone could look at someone with a horrible tooth ache and send them away with no treatment the way dentist do

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:59:02 +0000

I think that what your father did and other people have mentioned here is something we’ve lost sight of — a sense of community and a helping hand.

None of these customers expected to get something for free but were willing to do what they could in appreciation of the services they provided.

The woodcarvers I’ve hung out with are big on carving canes for wounded vets, carving and auctioning their carvings for a member of the community who had cancer (and no insurance), donating carved Christmas ornaments for an annual hospital auction, etc., etc. I had a staff member whose mother needed to use a cane and wanted something special for her to use and admit that I cut my rate a lot when I did hers ’cause I knew she didn’t have a lot of money.

When you’re dealing with strangers, it’s not as possible to do things like that but, when you know the people involved, it feels good and right!

By: Eleanor

Eleanor — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:46:35 +0000

My father had a solo ophthalmic practice in a small town of 25,000 for many years. Because he was the only eye doctor between two large cities which were two hours apart, he had quite a “drawing area”, much of which was rural. He had patients who would bring him wonderful fresh produce during the summer months, and he would reduce their fees or not charge for them at all. This allowed them to maintain their dignity and still receive the medical treatment they needed. I have a girlfriend who is a small town attorney, and she has at least one client she will see anytime, as long as he brings her a basket of berries. In either case, both parties benefit.

By: Mr Jones

Mr Jones — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:54:30 +0000

“Socialism has proved one of the most popular and persistent political and economic philosophies of the last hundred-odd years. A pity then that it doesn’t work.” quoted from Philip Thomas