FAQs

What do you do?

MerlinVet-cel is much more than just a buying group; we provide support for independent practices of all sizes across the UK.

How can you improve my business and its profitability?

We offer:

• Competitive rebates on members’ purchases

• Ongoing support & reduced administration costs

See our full list of benefits here

How is MerlinVet-cel's margin determined?

We only make a margin on veterinary pharmaceuticals where we provide a service or negotiate terms on behalf of our members. Our margin is not a fixed percentage and varies from product to product. We include this in our price database so you know exactly what you will pay. 

On average, practices spend about 25% of their wholesaler spend on products that do not get discounted by a manufacturer through us. We therefore make no margin on these products. We feel this results in a fairer system as opposed to one where a fixed margin % is applied (generally other buying groups will apply a fixed rate of 2% across all of its members' purchases). This means you don't need to have one account for manufacturer-discounted products through your buying group, and a separate account directly with your wholesaler.

Not only this, but we are proud of our transparency: our accounts are fully audited by independent professional auditors and published for you to view. We are the only group that invoice centrally every purchase, sale, discount received and paid. Our accounts show that our gross margin on sales is 1.38% (and our net margin is 0.28%), which has remained consistent in our 40 years of operating. 

If you are in any doubt about the margin we've made on any of your purchases, please get in touch and we can guide you through the process and present this to you. 

When will members receive their rebates?

There is no waiting for rebates - the latest you’ll get rebates is one month following purchase. We check each practice’s rebates and pay the correct amount regardless of whether the manufacturer has paid correctly, which is a great relief on cash flow. We then take this up with the manufacturer so the practice doesn't have to.  By calculating the rebates ourselves, we can reduce errors being passed on from manufacturers, such as missing purchases or incorrect rebates given.

Do I need to leave my current wholesaler?

Absolutely not! We trade with all of the current veterinary wholesalers in the UK.

Will I have to change my current product mix?

No, however, we do suggest changes that are to your advantage.

Can I still see the manufacturers' representatives?

Of course you can! The relationship between company representatives and our practices is one of our most important contacts. When a representative comes to see you, they will know exactly how much you pay for their products and you will be able to sit down with them and review your cost price in the portal on the MerlinVet-cel websites partner's page.

What do I do about special offers from manufacturers?

From time-to-time manufacturers will put additional terms or offers on the partner's page on the portal or they will present you with FOC offers when they call. These are opportunities that you can take advantage  of and we provide a smart phone app that will help you calculate your cost price if you take the offer.

How do I calculate my cost price purchasing from MerlinVet-cel?

All prices are on the portal showing list price, cost price and net/net.

Still have a question?

Get in touch and we'll be able to answer any of your queries.