I only had one VE and it was during labour when I was quite advanced.... I would have refused any other VE's if they'd been offered to me but luckily they weren't.
They aren't very comfortable anyway, mine hurt!

I had a wonderful labour and birth in a public hospital and I feel it's because I prepared myself and empowered myself with knowledge so that I could birth my baby in the way that I wanted to birth her and knew my rights. (also it is a good, small public hospital with baby friendly MW's) You are doing the right thing by doing your research and knowing your rights and that you can say no if you don't want something done to you or your baby.

All the best