Being charged for a quote!

dsa02

In May I contacted a company to quote for the installation of an Air Source Heat Pump system. They duly arrived at my house with a demonstration van with an example heat pump hooked up to a radiator and washbasin. They then looked at the house to see the work required and that was that.

They were then very slow in providing a quote, but one did arrive. I had also contacted another company who looked at the job and we went ahead with them for various reasons.

I was this week sent an invoice (dated 31 Aug) by the unsuccessful company to the tune of £587.50 to include time, fuel and schematic of my property to prepare for the installation of the heat pump.

At no time had any charge for a quotation been mentioned either in writing or verbally. I have no intention of paying such an outrageous, unagreed amount but does anyone have any idea of my rights in this case? Would consumers advice or trading standards be an appropriate port of call?

Thanks

David

fthl

yep, trading standards and consumer direct will be able to advise you. In the absence of any agreement to pay for a quote, they can dance for the cash. Even if you don't want advice from trading standards, tell them about this outfit anyway. This type of intertia-esque selling is really very ropey - many will fall for it.

McKneff

Did you find the first comany on a website, possibly it may say on their that there is a charge for quote, or a charge for the deomonstation. If not, trading standards would be your next port of call, i would think.

Or get a friend to ring up and ask for a quote, then get the friend to ask its a free quote/demonstration.

dsa02

Thanks for that, no there is nothing on their website to indicate any charge at all. In fact their rather amateur website and cheap business cards were a major reason for not wanting anything to do with them!

Thanks again

David

david

DVardysShadow

Make sure you only deal with them in WRITING from now on and keep copies. No phone calls or texts.

If yo decide to offer anything to make them go away, then make your offer 'without prejudice' and 'in full and final settlemen't.

But the first move is to request their evidence for a contract to provide a quote.

BillTrac

What a great business plan!!

Charge nearly £600 NOT to do any work.

fozzeh

Whoever reads this post must send me £50 via PayPal for my services of saying "This sounds like a load of sh......"

Laz123

They can take a long walk off a short pier, as they're not due any money.

BigLee_24

fozzeh wrote: »

Whoever reads this post must send me £50 via PayPal for my services of saying "This sounds like a load of sh......"

Its on its way....

fluffnutter

I assume you don't have a contract, and they don't have your bank or credit card details.... In which case, just ignore. Let them take you to court. Keep anything they send to you in writing (and anything you send back in response). But quite frankly, I'd just completely ignore them.

garth549

Unless you've signed something they havent got a hope of getting money from you. Like others have said just ignore them, even if they start threatening debt collectors etc. People like this rely on intimidation and scare tactics.