Anyone else experienced a franchise practice takeover???

Re: Anyone else experienced a franchise practice takeover???

clarolux — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:29:05 GMT

Hi,

There is an piece of legislation called TUPE, which covers acquisition of businesses and what new owners can and cant do in terms of changes to contracts. It may be worth having a look to put your mind at rest over contractual issues.

With regards to policy changes, that's probably inevitable but as you say it wont happen over night.

Good luck!

Re: Anyone else experienced a franchise practice takeover???

Charmaloo88 — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:37:05 GMT

Now the news has settled in I'm still not convinced unfortunately. The only question fully answered was the future of the students (I'm their clinical coach and wanted to ensure they weren't going to have to change college) and that our contracts won't change unless we want to sign a new one. Stuff will have to change and I appreciate that but it won't happen overnight. I met various big bosses of Medivet and think I made my point that I will stand my ground!

Watch this space I guess! And binievans - I've PM'd you - I know how gossipy the vet world is and not everyone knows the news just yet!

Re: Anyone else experienced a franchise practice takeover???

binievans — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 22:39:34 GMT

Hi Charmaloo 88, where is your practice based?

Re: Anyone else experienced a franchise practice takeover???

Honeybadger — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:10:56 GMT

A tip for you - if you are given a new 'Working guidelines' booklet or something similar you have to put any issues you have with it in writing or it will be assumed that you agree with the terms.

Re: Anyone else experienced a franchise practice takeover???

Gemma Burden RVN — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 19:07:19 GMT

My last practice was supposed to be sold to Medivet when the owner retired about six years ago. I really didn't like what I was told when they came to meet us all as there were going to be a lot of changes made and suspect if the take over had happened then I probably woudn't have lasted too long. However it all feel through in the end and the practice was brought by another independant owner. It wasn't easy getting used to the changes, but we got there in the end, so I would probably suggest seeing how things go before making any decissions.

Re: Anyone else experienced a franchise practice takeover???

Victoria Nielsen RVN — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:21:09 GMT

Firstly, welcome to Medivet - I work as a Head Nurse for one of the Medivet branch surgeries in Hertfordshire. The practice was taken over three years ago now. Medivet will try and make it as smooth as they can for you and your team. If you have any questions, just PM me

Re: Anyone else experienced a franchise practice takeover???

Charmaloo88 — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:15:26 GMT

My main concern was price increase, we've had several client leave franchise practices because they felt it was all about the money. And when I asked them about increasing our prices I got a long winded answer that actually brushed over my question altogether. I guess all I can do is defend our practice as much as possible. As for targets and figures...if I was the least but interested in these I would have stayed in retail. I think I can speak for all us when I say we enter this profession because we care, NEVER to make an easy buck out of anyone.

Re: Anyone else experienced a franchise practice takeover???

Leggy — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 22:31:24 GMT

I feel for you i was in the same situation a year ago. Firstly make sure your contract is up to date and correct.

Otherwise hang in there. We set ourselves little goals christmas / easter etc. Whilst it is totally different to private practice (the biggest thing we noticed was a large price increase to clients - so several long term clients jumping ship) it has settled down. The first six months were difficult but now we are settled - we still have very much the same staff which means we have helped each other thro difficult times!!

As a franchise company i just find it difficult to keep up with "promotions" and which deal is the best for the client and what package contains what .

Times are a changing not many little man around any more!!! God i am sounding old.

Good Luck" />

Re: Anyone else experienced a franchise practice takeover???

Sal the 1st — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 19:47:23 GMT

this has happened twice to me - CVS which was pretty much business as usual except we had to use their lab and there were a few changes in meds. Best friends ..... lets just say my experience of this group could not be described as friendly, but I did still give them a chance. Dont jump ship straight off see what its like and give them a chance, you may be pleasantly surprised

Re: Anyone else experienced a franchise practice takeover???

Fuzzyduck — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 18:23:38 GMT

Ours was taken over by CVS, so dont know about medivet, but with CVS pretty much nothing changed. We have to order certain drugs in preference over others ie advantage as oppose to frontline however we can still order frontline if a client wants it.

I wouldnt worry too much they dont like to change too much straight away anyway as they dont want people to jump ship. I doubt you'll even notice a change and anything will be done slowly. Its not really that bad :)