Invoiced for missing an appointment

Jonesy127

I made an appointment for a chimney sweep to sweep our chimney about 6 weeks over the telephone.

I received no further confirmation, but I did record on my own records when the visit was. Unfortunately when it cam to the visit, I was stuck in a meeting and forgot to contact them.

I phoned as soon as I could (45 minutes after the agreed time), but the sweep said he'd had to go to the next job, and that I would have to make another appointment.

When I got home from work tonight, I was greeted with an invoice for £50.

Can a company invoice a customer for such a thing, without them previously informing their customers they will do this?

Furts

Seems entirely reasonable to me. I would consider doing the same.

If you failed to turn up at a solicitor, or accountant, or private health consultant it would be reasonable to expect abill . Why should a chimney sweep be viewed in a different light?

Whether this fosters a harmonious business relationship is another matter. I suggest you engage in damage limitation, complete with grovelling apologies. You may then be able to negotiate a better settlement.

Babbawah

I would also most certainly do the same.

Whether you are legally obliged to pay the invoice is irrelevant. IMO you are morally obliged to or . . . at least come to some sort of amicable agreement.

If you cannot stomach the fact that you have a moral obligation to at least cover the sweeps costs, then ask yourself "who is going to sweep my chimney next time".

If you have the need to keep asking that question, then eventually you're going to need the fire brigade, possibly an ambulance and also a builder !

phatbear

if you turn this on its head how would you feel if you had an appointment somewhere and had to take time off and pay travel costs to get there then when you did the appointment was cancelled?

as previously stated i would phone them and get your chimey swept but try and come to some arrangement about the £50

Jonesy127

Of course you're all right. At the end of the day, I was at fault, not him.

I've since spoken to him, and we've agreed I pay £25. Although my balls up, I'm happy.