I don't think paying that amount is unreasonable to talk to a vet. The vet practice I go to is one of the best in my town and all three vets are usually booked full a couple weeks in advance (though they will always make time for emergencies). If I were to go just to speak to the vet I would expect to be charged something for taking time that she would otherwise be using to treat animals.
That being said I would check out both vets. It doesn't hurt to shop around.
My basenjis are very well known at my vet's office. Since we are in so much when we have a litter everyone in the office knows my dogs. When I call, I just give my dog's name and they know who they are talking to. I always know when there is a new vet tech when they dogn't know my dogs when I call. Everyone there loves my dogs. When we first started there we were the "good basenjis" now I think we must have set the standard for basenjis since we are now "the basenjis".
