Clients go to shot shows because they want to save money and they believe that all veterinarians, and all vaccines are the same. They don’t really care if the veterinarian has a good bedside manner and that’s a good thing for us, running our low cost clinics. They also believe that all vaccines are equal in quality. Perhaps even that we are obligated to buy vaccines of a standard potency and from a certain, regulated company. No such regulations exist and buying inexpensive vaccines near expiration (which are still perfectly okay) or from second-rate vaccine manufacturers is legal and appropriate. Even brick and mortar veterinarians can be found to be using cheap vaccines.

Shot shows take advantage of low client expectations (If they expected more they would pay more)

Clients who use shot clinics typically have low expectations of the veterinarians and the entire process. They underestimate the value of the physical exam and we’re thankful because performing more than just a T.P.R. is time consuming and leads to a lot of questions they we’re not getting paid to answer. Most of the recommended treatments send the clients back to the regular vet which may even cement their vaccine business with that veterinarian. It’s just a losing proposition for your shot show.

Capitalizing on low client socioeconomic status most of the time.  (Education or lack thereof creates a customer who pays for subpar care. Somebody has to be their caregiver. It might as well be you!)

Most clients using low cost shot clinics, especially at the feed stores and pet shops are lower income. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with that client as a person or contributor to society, but they are extremely price conscious but typically lack the education to know what they are getting, but also what they are missing. Substandard care at a brisk, profitable pace is not noticed nor a source of concern for a certain level of education and awareness.

Price driven consumerism works in the shot show’s favor.

Typically the socioeconomic category of people coming to her shot clinic allows them to be up sold profitably. Shot shows held at pet stores like Pet Land for example bring a client that is both cost conscious but not particularly wary. After all, they paid three thousand dollars for a puppy on credit when they could have gotten the same quality puppy in Royston for a tenth of that.