Customer reneging on verbal contract

baldelectrician

You just need to take it on the chin

I had a new consumer unit supply and fit arranged for a day 3 weeks ago.
The customer got his wife to phone and cancel the day before as they found it cheaper, by £100

There are sparks in my area (who don't give out landline numbers and are not registered) doing work for silly prices.

As this job stood I told them I would not match the price as I would not be making any money on the job.

The customer was asked what make and type the consumer unit was (I quoted for a 17th Edition Hager) and she didn't know- she only went on the price.

I know I can get a NON RCD consumer unit for £40, but I would not fit it in my house, so I wouldn't fit it in a customers house

gas4you

Couldn't agree more.

They'll probably creep back to you to ask you to go and put the installation right in a couple of months!

jkgray

A contract is (in its simplest terms) an agreement between parties.

It doesn't matter whether this agreement is verbal or in writing. If there is an agreement to do X for £Y that is a contract.

Putting the contract in writing simply evidences what is agreed in case of later dispute but is no more binding that a verbal agreement.

Whether you can enforce the 'contract' against the customer therefore simply depends on exactly what was agreed.

The problem you will have of course is proving what was agreed.

baldelectrician

Unfortunatley you have no leg to stand on, as you have not anything in writing

I think you have been a bit niave- you should not buy stuff until you are sure.
I take the price of materials I can not get off the shelf (client pays deposit on card) when I arrange the work.

I also put stuff in writing- especally if it will be more than a day's work

You need to take this one on the chin, but use it as a learning experience

Yes there are rogue customers out there- had one call and cancel a consumer unit change 2 days before the job- they had got a quote £100 less
If I did it for the lower price I would be making a loss as I do things right and don't like cheap tat (see Electruim Recall)

gallagher30

Something further should be done to protect the seller, not just the consumer.

Agree with the above though that due to lack of resource for the seller you will have to take it on the chin.

Regards

darich

Maybe in future make it crystal clear that your quotes are only valid for 30days (or some other reasonable time limit). That way it wouldn't be a year between quote and work and you would avoid situations where it's ages between quote and work and the current problem should hopefully be avoided.

Agree with the 7 day cooling off period.
Also agree that a small deposit is a good thing but would only work with a written contract where a receipt can be given. But the flip side of that as has been stated, I wouldn't be keen paying for any work or material up front for someone to work on my house, unless it was someone I really trusted.

Hope you get it sorted.

KhalidCSJ

A verbal contract can stand in a small claims court if you can prove beyond reasonable doubt you had permission to complete the job.

It was a bit nieve to order the materials without a contract but if you have any evidence to prove this was for this client and that he agreed to the job then you do have a chance of recovering the funds.

Why would you order that set of materials anyway? Did you reference the customer in the order to the builders?

I would perhaps try the small claims if you have evidence because chances are he will not want the hassle and make an out of court settlement with you.

keystone

@ KhalidCSJ

Your signature is a bit Spammy really.

Cheers

darich

keystone wrote: »

@ KhalidCSJ

Your signature is a bit Spammy really.

Cheers

Well spotted.....I thought advertising was frowned upon in the forum
Same applies to the avatar - advertising.

KhalidCSJ

keystone wrote: »

@ KhalidCSJ

Your signature is a bit Spammy really.

Cheers

I was just trying to remove any potential problems for providing quotation advice being linked to my employer.

I am more than happy to change my avatar if a moderator asks me too.