I have the same problem with ****** veins. Last week the Practice Nurse had a go, then the phlebotomist and then they sent me up to the hospital. If they had butterfly needles at the surgery I'd have been fine, but they don't use them there...never fails with a butterfly needle. Yesterday I pointed out a rather temperamental vein which sometimes works, right at the side of my arm - she got in first time. Generally I find that, if they listen to me and don't just go digging wherever they like, they will get it first or second go...if not, I end up at the hospital. Kind of annoying because it makes blood tests turn into a 2 hour ordeal and makes me spectacularly late for work.