Plumber overcharging for parts?

Doozergirl

So you get a quote, accept it, have the work done and then question it?

You accepted the offer put to you. Next time, check what you're getting first. If you aren't happy then, you negotiate or use your feet.

You might feel ripped off, but there's no legal case to answer after you've agreed the price.

Hoof_Hearted

I think it's pretty common practice for tradesmen and women to mark up product prices. For example, they may show you list prices for that new kitchen or bathroom but not disclose that they get a 60% discount. It's all about research and due diligence.

missprice

bigmun wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Last week, we had a plumber in to install a new toilet suite in our new home. In the original quote, the costs of parts shows £600 + labour. The plumber said he'd get it from B&Q. Now, the installation is complete, but it didn't look like something that would be worth £600 to us. So we headed out to B&Q and we found the exact toilet suite selling for only £220.

Is this a breach of consumer laws? I'll ask him for a detailed breakdown of costs, but I can't imagine how there could be £400 worth of hidden parts. If it's an unlawful act, could I ask for loss and punitive damages before proceeding to seek legal assistance?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Hiding to nothing is my advice.
I will admit that the mark up is way more than I would expect, however, you agreed the price before hand so now you get to pay up.
For future reference you could have looked at b and q website while the plumber was there, agreed a style and whatever else before the quote. That way you would know what prices were and plumber would have known too.

Its not illegal or anything to mark up, after all the plumber may have made a special trip ( because I don't know of many plumbers that use b and q regular) and maybe had to store it somewhere, or possibly not who knows.

Marktheshark

Did you not think £600 for a bog was a bit steep when he quoted ?
Thats some bog.

Reece_

As everyone else has said, he's welcome to mark up any goods he supplies, admittedly it is a hefty mark up but it's irrelevant, you accepted a quote and have had the work done. Now is not the time to be questioning the price.
Next time, be more careful and research material costs if you want before accepting a quote.

panzer_pure

you go into a pub and pay 3-4 pound for a pint, when you can go into tesco and buy a 4 pack for 4 pound...thats some markup you never question, would you tell the landlord you can get it cheaper elsewhere or do you drink it up?

Fightsback

Caveat Emptor.

Learn to shop around and let this be a lesson.

Doozergirl

Marktheshark wrote: »

Did you not think £600 for a bog was a bit steep when he quoted ?
Thats some bog.

I have one client who has a £3000 bog. It comes from
Japan and washes your bottom. THAT is some bog.

Another client has spent £3500 on a loo, basin and tap for their cloakroom. The tap and basin wash your hands. I'm at a complete loss over the expense of that one.

None of it is my mark-up, lol.

ryder72

doozergirl - have you seen the £12000 version of the Toto bog? It analyses urine and stool samples while it washes and dries you.
Now that is a bog.

Unfortunately you still have to pull up your own pants.

Ruski

ryder72 wrote: »

Unfortunately you still have to pull up your own pants.

ROFL - A truly brilliant way to brighten up my Friday :D:D:D

Thank you for that

Russ