half diminished
Senior Member
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- 1,361
- Location
- Buckinghamshire
Central Heating boiler broke down on Wednesday. I had a pretty good idea of what had caused the fault. Local supplier had a new PCB unit in stock (£236) but I really needed a plumber to confirm that was the problem. Only issue, it's now 12.30pm and the supplier closes at 3pm!
I found a plumber and explained the issue.
"We can't get to you until about 2.30pm" says he.
"Hm, you'll not have time to diagnose and fix the problem then as the suppliers are shutting early" says I.
"Don't worry, our supplier shuts at 5pm and he's open tomorrow" says he
So the plumber arrives at 2.40pm, in 10 minutes he's confirmed the issue is as i suspect and he's off to get the part.
3.10pm he arrives back but with no part.
"Supplier is shut, they shut at 3pm so I'll have to come back on Saturday"
"What, I discussed this before I booked you to come around" says I
"Ah you need to speak with my boss, I didn't take the call" says he.
After a degree of shouting I am now stuffed and have to wait until Saturday. He denies the original conversation about suppliers being closed/open. So no heating and no hot water for 3/4 days.
So at 10am today, the plumber arrives. By 10.22am - some 12 minutes later it's filled and in another 5 minutes the CH has been checked and is confirmed to be working properly.
The bill, 2 hours labour at £69 per hour plus VAT. The plumber was on site for 20 minutes the first time, 10 of which I was arguing with his boss and today the work was completed in less than 17 minutes at a cost of £162.15. Plus of course the part which he no doubt gets at a discount price, non of which is passed on to me.
So I refuse to pay, it gets nasty and he threatens me with the police and forceable removing the part so I say "bring it on". Wife gets stressed so I decide to pay by cheque.
So, what do I do. Cancel the cheque, and fight him in court. Will I win? Speak to Watchdog/Rogue Traders and Trading Standards? Am I going to get anywhere with this.
I am not keen to let this lie on a matter of principle. Suggestions welcomed.
I found a plumber and explained the issue.
"We can't get to you until about 2.30pm" says he.
"Hm, you'll not have time to diagnose and fix the problem then as the suppliers are shutting early" says I.
"Don't worry, our supplier shuts at 5pm and he's open tomorrow" says he
So the plumber arrives at 2.40pm, in 10 minutes he's confirmed the issue is as i suspect and he's off to get the part.
3.10pm he arrives back but with no part.
"Supplier is shut, they shut at 3pm so I'll have to come back on Saturday"
"What, I discussed this before I booked you to come around" says I
"Ah you need to speak with my boss, I didn't take the call" says he.
After a degree of shouting I am now stuffed and have to wait until Saturday. He denies the original conversation about suppliers being closed/open. So no heating and no hot water for 3/4 days.
So at 10am today, the plumber arrives. By 10.22am - some 12 minutes later it's filled and in another 5 minutes the CH has been checked and is confirmed to be working properly.
The bill, 2 hours labour at £69 per hour plus VAT. The plumber was on site for 20 minutes the first time, 10 of which I was arguing with his boss and today the work was completed in less than 17 minutes at a cost of £162.15. Plus of course the part which he no doubt gets at a discount price, non of which is passed on to me.
So I refuse to pay, it gets nasty and he threatens me with the police and forceable removing the part so I say "bring it on". Wife gets stressed so I decide to pay by cheque.
So, what do I do. Cancel the cheque, and fight him in court. Will I win? Speak to Watchdog/Rogue Traders and Trading Standards? Am I going to get anywhere with this.
I am not keen to let this lie on a matter of principle. Suggestions welcomed.