
We were loyal clients of Mercer & Hughes in Bocking for years — until a recent experience left us shocked and disappointed.
After saying goodbye to our beloved Jack Russell, we were sent a cremation bill for £436, with £316 for cremation alone. This invoice arrived weeks after the visit — we were not shown pricing at the time.
Out of curiosity, we took the invoice to a respected independent local vet. They told us the exact same service would have cost £160, and were genuinely shocked by the prices charged.
We raised this privately with Mercer & Hughes. They refused any refund or adjustment, stating: "we don't compare ourselves to other practices."
It’s worth knowing Mercer & Hughes is no longer an independent vet — they were acquired by Kin Vet Community, a larger group rolling up vet practices across the UK. In our view, the service and pricing have changed dramatically since.
We’ve now moved to Linkswood Vets in Halstead, who are not only significantly more affordable, but felt more focused on both our pet and our family.
Just sharing this experience in the hope it helps others make a more informed decision.