FAQ
HOW MUCH DOES MEMBERSHIP COST AND HOW DO I KNOW HOW MUCH MY BUSINESS IS SAVING?
VetAlliance costs you zero dollars - but we do want some of your energy!
Sound too good to be true? VetAlliance has NO member fees. If your association with VetAlliance does not generate additional income for your business then there is no cost.
By leveraging increased group purchasing power VetAlliance is able to pass savings and increased rebates directly on to members. Your practice will be charged a commission only on the amount of group savings (over and above your normal clinic rebate or pricing) achieved. The size of your practice and choice of products will determine how much you can save.
VetAlliance understands that the success of financial service businesses is founded on transparency. As a member of VetAlliance you will be able to see what you are paying for drugs and products, the buying group pricing and what costs or commissions are being paid. We take pride in clearly explaining and the buying group concept and how it will work in the New Zealand veterinary industry.
DOES MY PRACTICE NEED TO CHANGE OUR CURRENT PURCHASING PROCEDURES?
No. VetAlliance will work with participating wholesalers and suppliers to create "back-end" purchasing solutions so that your practice can take advantage of member benefits without changes to your current drug and product ordering processes.
VetAlliance will also encourage your practice to adopt more efficient drug ordering and stock management systems that will maximize the benefits of buying group membership.
CAN WE STILL ORDER THE SAME RVM'S AND PRODUCTS?
Yes. Certain suppliers may offer VetAlliance more competitive volume based pricing than others but members will be free to make their own choices.
CAN WE STILL DEAL WITH OUR USUAL WHOLESALER AND SUPPLIER REPS?
Yes. The New Zealand veterinary business community is a small one and in order to succeed everybody has to benefit. That's why the VetAlliance model preserves the relationships you have built up with your supplier reps and trusted products as well as giving you opportunities to gain price advantages on new or competitor products should you wish.
In return, suppliers require a greater level of forecasting, timely access to your staff for product and sales discussions and of course, follow-through purchasing.
DOES MY CLINIC HAVE TO RE-BRAND, SUPPORT GROUP MARKETING INITIATIVES OR COORDINATE WITH OTHER MEMBER PRACTICES?
No. VetAlliance is all about making a financial difference for your practice, whether it is saving costs or putting rebate cash into your bottom line. We will not be using "your funds" to pay for excessive administration, marketing, branding etc. VetAlliance will not sell you anything. We are here to get you better deals on the things you need, not spend time or money on the things you don't.
WHAT DO SUPPLIERS GET FROM VETALLIANCE MEMBERS?
Participating suppliers want to grow their businesses too! In return for improved member financial terms suppliers need;
- purchasing forecasts
- follow-through purchasing commitments
- clinics willing to achieve incentivised sales targets
- the opportunity to gain timely access to key staff within your business in order to provide continuing education, product knowledge and sales system strategies that focus on "benefits to the end user" , i.e. your farm clients or pet owners.
Whether it's declining national cow numbers or static pet ownership, the reality is that future business growth in our industry is unlikely to be organic. VetAlliance is committed to growing your business profitability through partnership with our supplier clients. Not only can your business gain from membership rebates and pricing, involvement will help drive overall sales.
DOES MY PRACTICE NEED TO SIGN ANY AGREEMENTS?
Yes. While there are no joining forms to fill out and no termination fees your practice will have to sign a Confidentially Undertaking that allows VetAlliance access to your purchasing information through the wholesaler and supplier records.