Can an invoice be retracted?

MrBoombastic

I've received an invoice for a service. If the person providing this service has since changed his mind about the figure owed (i.e. it's gone up) can he retract the invoice? Would the original invoice stand for a period of, say, 28 days? If I pay the invoice within 28 days is that an end to the matter?

McKneff

Have you agreed an amount on the original invoice, why has it gone up,

Has he changed his mind or just made an honest mistake.

We really need more details.

You paying the lower invoice early doesnt mean yu dont have to pay the difference if it is legitimate.

MrBoombastic

He's just changed his mind. He originally provided a service for x number of pounds. The service was poor, I complained, so he then offered to reduce the fee by half. He sent me an invoice for half the fee with no date stipulation, and less than four weeks later when I hadn't paid it, he told me (so only verbal at this point) that the 50% fee was no longer on the table, and that the fee had just doubled (back to the original fee).

There is no "pay by such and such a date" on the invoice. There are no clauses or such like. Tomorrow will be 28 days since he sent me the invoice. Surely if I pay it or attempt to, he can't come after me for any more?

arcon5

Are you sure is wasn't just a quotation?

The terms though will be set by the seller.

Has the service began? If so its safe the say a contract has been concluded at the agreed price.


EDIT:

Just seen your new post.. if the service has been provided and you have proof that he agreed to a lower price for the service then you can dispute the invoice. Since I assume you accepted the offer to reduce the amount?

Read up about estoppel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estoppel

McKneff

Just send the half pay ' and mark it as agreed and in full and final settlement'

Verbals dont do it in court.

But do it at your earliest opportunity.

Then just see what happens, I'm no expert but
I dont think after agreeing with you to lower the bill before sending the invoicesll, that he can unillaterally change the terms unless
he wrote on the original invoice 'discount applies only if paid withn 28 days.

arcon5

McKneff wrote: »

Just send the half pay ' and mark it as agreed and in full and final settlement'

I read somewhere writing this carries no weight at all... not sure how true it is though??
The context I read it in was a debtor who sent a partial payment for a debt to the debt collection agency marked as such, who then continued to persue the debt -- successfully.

DVardysShadow

MrBoombastic wrote: »

He's just changed his mind. He originally provided a service for x number of pounds. The service was poor, I complained, so he then offered to reduce the fee by half. He sent me an invoice for half the fee with no date stipulation, and less than four weeks later when I hadn't paid it, he told me (so only verbal at this point) that the 50% fee was no longer on the table, and that the fee had just doubled (back to the original fee).

There is no "pay by such and such a date" on the invoice. There are no clauses or such like. Tomorrow will be 28 days since he sent me the invoice. Surely if I pay it or attempt to, he can't come after me for any more?

Time to write a letter - and keep a copy.

State that

• the work was not satisfactory
• this was discussed
• a lower price was agreed
• the invoice of <date> reflects that agreement
• he has now changed his mind and demanded the original amount
• that you will pay the invoiced amount on confirmation that he will accept this in full and final settlement
• otherwise he must take the matter to court

mamabuddah

looking at it from a different standpoint...It could look like you ordered a "service"...had a change of heart (or no funds available) tried to wangle a discount, the person providing the service thinks...got an odd one here...I could do with getting paid...half the money is better than none...you still don't pay him....so he reckons...ok..I gave the bloke a chance, he can just pay the full amount cos he's playing silly beggars and if he doesn't pay up and tries to squirm his way out of paying...I'll see him in court...

just out of curiosity "less than four weeks later" ? 3 weeks 6 days 23 hrs?
When was the work originally completed?

so there's a number of ways to look at the problem...

personally, I think the work was done, you wanted to pay less, he wants paid, he agrees to cut the bill...you should at least have kept up your side of the deal...thats why when I was doing work I ask for 50% up front as the deposit....if people don't like it they can take their business elsewhere...

mikey72

Pay him the original invoice price (the 50%) asap, and he probably leave it at that.

mamabuddah

just out of curiosity...does this relate to other posts about you not wanting to pay estate agents either (If I've read them correctly)

MrBoombastic

Hi, no. Does not relate, I am just working through various issues as they arise to try to get many things fairly sorted BUT i am not Rockafella.