Tricky customer Quibbling price after emergency job, what would you do?

[Mick Dempsey]

17 hours ago, felixthelogchopper said:

I thought I had made that pretty clear. Of the 2 options, being proved wrong and having to pay up would be far more disagreeable to such a person than a momentary insult. Before I started doing tree work, I worked in the casino industry for nearly 20 years and frequently met people like this customer. Nothing hurts them more than having to accept that the person they view as a pleb was right and they were wrong. That they would have to pay up the original bill and some extra for expenses would be the icing on the cake.

Was drinking last night btw.

[Chipperclown]

Hope it was a good quality bottle of red Mick????????

[eggsarascal]

4 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Was drinking last night btw.

I'd never of guessed...

 

The letter was funny though.

[Mick Dempsey]

2 minutes ago, Chipperclown said:

Hope it was a good quality bottle of red Mick????????

Box of something or other, usually white.

[fagus]

Can you justify/explain £450, in terms of hours worked, equipment rates and use; I reckon you will be asked about it if you go to Court. Photo evidence showing extent of the work would be good. If you can show price build up go for it. You will get peace of mind and a decision if nothing else rather than a bitter story for the rest of you days.

 

[Con]

Please don't let him get away with it without a fight.  Tell everyone what he's up to as well. If I was one of the builders I'd be giving him some too. Too many hard working people get ripped off by his type. Stand up to him and hopefully he will think twice next time. 

Good luck.

[Chipperclown]

In my experience theres no requirement to have to produce photos & evidence etc (never been asked), an invoice has always covered it. The customer would have to state that the removal had not actually taken place and only a complete idiot would do that! 

[felixthelogchopper]

1 hour ago, Chipperclown said:

In my experience theres no requirement to have to produce photos & evidence etc (never been asked), an invoice has always covered it. The customer would have to state that the removal had not actually taken place and only a complete idiot would do that! 

With the argument about how much he will pay now the job is done, that's a moot point. The emails also prove that the OP was contracted to do the work.

Edited October 22, 2018 by felixthelogchopper
Repetition(no deviation or hesitation though).

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

11 hours ago, felixthelogchopper said:

All the more reason to not accept less than the £450. If it goes as far as small claims, the OP can claim for expenses to cover the hassle. The only experience the OP would gain by giving in is in how to roll over.

Query “expenses” Felix

 

I did small claims track against the twat that hit my van and took off.

 

I had a detailed spread sheet for all admin hours, phone calls, letters sent and received with a notional cost attached to each which arrived at a grand total.

 

Thats is what I was claiming recompense for after the twat had been taken to task by the Rozzers (they didn’t want to but I pressed it.)

 

The other party then got hit for driving wo due care and had to do driver improvement cse + her insurance paid for repairs. 

 

I went after her for the admin hassle associated with sorting it out.

 

Judge found in my favour and awarded the £2.50 cost I had incurred by seeking her details from DVLA. Apparently, that was a dispersement (which is allowed) but associated admin costs of bring the case are not allowed.

 

In my case it was my time / costs I was seeking but I very much got the impression that wether mine or solicitor fees, neither was allowable at SCC track. 

 

As an learning experience and a day in Court it was worth it but left me wondering why the Clerk allocated to that track when it was obvious what I was claiming and I am left wondering why they allocated it to a track which didn’t allow for expenses to be paid even if it was successful! 

 

For OP: worth having a read of Practice Direction - PreAction Conduct & Protocols. It’s not too bad a read and should come up on Google etc. 

 

https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/pd_pre-action_conduct

 

Edited October 22, 2018 by kevinjohnsonmbe

[scbk]

There would be no harm in contacting the builders that are working there, they might offer some advice - maybe he tries this trick on everyone? Maybe he has an accountant/bookkeeper you can deal with? Maybe he goes out for golf every Friday morning and if you speak to his wife she will pay any bill?

 

Also might be a bit of a red flag for the other tradesmen?

 

 

And as for your "mate"......!!!