How should I report a dodgy plumber?

Stacey425

Back in November, I called up a local plumbing company because I was having problems with my boiler. Subsequently, I had four appointments with them:

1) A plumber came over, told me that I needed a thermostatic mixer installed in my shower and charged £75 for one hour of labour.

2) A different plumber came and spent two hours installing the part. After installing the part, he looked at the boiler and realized that the problem was actually due to a £30 sensor. I was invoiced £167.17 for the thermostatic mixer plus £150 for labour, but did not pay.

3) A plumber was supposed to come over with a sensor. However, the plumbing company called me 2 hours into the appointment time slot and told me that the part hadn't arrived.

4) A plumber showed up with a sensor, but it was the wrong part. I was not charged for this visit.

I told the company's accounts department that I was not willing to pay the full amount for visit number 2, since the problem was misdiagnosed. They told me that the plumber from visit number 1 would be in touch to discuss.

I heard back from the plumber about 5 months later. I agreed to pay for the part, but no labour, and he quoted me £167.17 prior to taking payment from my debit card over the phone. However, when I checked my bank statement a few days later, £249.99 had been taken from my bank account. I contacted the plumber again and he argued that I agreed to pay for the part plus one hour of labour. However, I was never quoted this amount over the phone and, in any event, this would have totalled £267.25 (the plumber said that he must have "pressed the wrong button" to arrive at £249.99).

Is there anyone that I can complain to about this? I realize now that I should have asked for the bank details of the company, rather than allowing them to take payment over the phone!