Plumber has Overcharged

richdeniro

Had a leak underneath my bath yesterday.

Called out a plumber from a company called Aspect.co.uk after they said the plumber would arrive between 1 and 3pm. Was told £140 + VAT for the first hour and then £70+ VAT per half hour after that.

He eventually turned up at 5pm and was there for an hour and a half so I was expecting a charge of around £250.

I've logged onto Barclaycard this morning and see a pending authorisation for £570.

I have contacted the company and asked for a copy of the invoice.

I paid for it on my Barclaycard so assume I might be covered by payment protection. Is it worth contacting Barclaycard whilst the payment is still in the authorisation stage?

neilmcl

Rather than seek a copy of the invoice did you not ask them to explain why you were charged £570 over the phone?

AndyPix

richdeniro wrote: »

£140 + VAT for the first hour and then £70+ VAT per half hour after that.

Im in the wrong game

richdeniro

I want to make sure that it is them first - I am 99% sure but Barclaycard don't show who the authorisation was made by.

LilElvis

Any parts replaced? Taps / pipework / shower?

neilmcl

richdeniro wrote: »

I want to make sure that it is them first - I am 99% sure but Barclaycard don't show who the authorisation was made by.

Surely they would've confirmed what you were being charged when you contacted them? Just phone them up and ask them what the final charge is?

stuartJo1989

Just checked their website + can see that they provide an initial quote and then "One of our customer service agents will contact you very soon to confirm your appointment time and to obtain payment details."

I was just a bit thrown off by the fact that it hadn't gone through a chip and pin machine/cash etc.

richdeniro

LilElvis wrote: »

Any parts replaced? Taps / pipework / shower?

A couple of washers and a small piece of PVC piping that I've seen in the hardware shop across the road for £5.99. He used some silicone too.

elsien

If it was after 5, maybe you've been charged overtime rates? Which I would challenge given you'd arranged the appointment for during normal working hours.

neilmcl

elsien wrote: »

If it was after 5, maybe you've been charged overtime rates? Which I would challenge given you'd arranged the appointment for during normal working hours.

The fact he was being charged £140 per hour suggests it was the overtime rate anyway, according the website the standard rate is only £105 between 8 and 5pm, then £140. Even then it wouldn't amount to £570.

AndyPix

neilmcl wrote: »

only £105

:eek: