i took my cats to a banfield when i lived in virginia. the one vet i really really liked. unfortunately, even when i requested her, half the time i was scheduled with somebody else. it really irked me. i went to their vaccine clinic for vaccs (no office visit payment, just the vaccines, but my pets did get as thorough an exam as they'd get most places) and once when my kitten was sick. i paid full price for her exam, x-rays, medication, and prescription food, and it was all quite reasonable.
price-wise they were pretty middle of the road.
i've since worked for a different corporate vet operation, and it wouldn't be my first choice for my pets. a lot depends on the individual doctor, but there's a lot of nonsense that goes along with it.
i think it's really a shame that so many of the responses to this post have been money-based. what's important to me in chosing a vet are willingness to listen to me, flexibility, convenience, and providing the best possible care for my pets. yes, it's more expensive to have an iv catheter and pre-operative bloodwork for "just a spay" but that's the standard of care i want for my pets, and i don't want to be looked at like i've sprouted a third arm when i request as much.