Mine didn't mention any discounts upfront, but when I asked they said they'd knock off a bit for cash payments. Wonder why they don't just tell you upfront... anyone else had to specifically ask about it?
Mine was exactly the same—I had to awkwardly bring it up myself. Felt a bit weird, honestly, like I was haggling at a flea market or something, lol. Maybe they just don't wanna seem pushy about cash payments upfront? Anyway, good on you for asking; every little bit counts when you're budgeting for braces. Glad you got a discount out of it!
Haha, I totally get that flea market vibe—been there myself. Honestly though, I think most dental offices just assume people prefer monthly payments since braces are pricey upfront. But from experience, paying upfront can save you a decent chunk of change overall. I did it with my second kid's braces and was surprised how much we saved...definitely worth the awkward convo if you can swing it financially.
"Honestly though, I think most dental offices just assume people prefer monthly payments since braces are pricey upfront."
That's definitely true. From what I've seen, dental offices usually default to monthly plans because it's easier for most families to manage. But you're right—paying upfront can actually save quite a bit. When I got my own braces (yes, adults get them too...haha), I opted for the lump sum payment and ended up saving enough to justify the awkwardness of handing over that big check. Worth considering if your budget allows it.
I see your point, but I'd argue dental offices aren't necessarily assuming everyone prefers monthly payments—they're just trying to be practical. In my experience, many patients initially lean toward upfront payments to snag those discounts, but once they see the actual numbers, monthly installments become way more appealing. It's not always about affordability either; sometimes it's just easier mentally to spread out a big expense.
"paying upfront can actually save quite a bit."
True, but keep in mind that not every office offers significant discounts for lump-sum payments. I've seen some practices where the savings are minimal, making monthly plans almost equally cost-effective. It really depends on the individual practice's policies and your personal financial situation. Always worth double-checking the math before committing either way...
