No price information given, and then huge bill

I recently needed some extensive blood work done. I know that Ampath lab is not the cheapest around, and therefore inquired while at the lab what the approximate cost would be so that I could visit the cheaper lab instead if it is too much, as I don't have medical aid. <br> <br> The women told me she cannot give me that information now as it is too much for er to sit and calculate. Se assured me it won't be too much and my bill will arrive in the post and can be paid off.<br> <br> I had some trouble retrieving my post for about 2 weeks (someone was holding my post) and therefore missed my account. On 14 June I received an account for R4300 odd. This came as an enormous and terrible shock, and furthermore it stated at the bottom that this account is strictly 30 days with penalties for late payment.<br> <br> I am disgusted that I was not informed how much I can expect to pay BEFORE creating that debt, and that I was told if it is expensive I could pay it off.<br> <br> R4300 is an obscene amount of money for blood tests and I would NEVER agree to paying that knowing how much it will be. I will now have to forfeit my next ultrasound with my gynecologist in order to try and pay this. As it is I am a high risk patient.