Charge for car collection suddenly appeared

[Deleted User]

Car was recently in the garage. I booked it in three weeks ago and spoke to them on the phone saying I'd sort out getting car to them.

They said no its ok we'll come and get it no problem at all.

So they take it, do some work (which I'm happy to pay for) and then I notice a charge of £100+VAT for RECOVERY AS REQUESTED. I pointed out to garage that maybe when we discussed collection it would have been wise to advise me of this charge.

I also pointed out, even the AA would only have charged me £65. Answer was "tough thats my standard recovery fee - you did ask and its not my fault if I can't do it as cheap as others". Hardly recovery when it was arranged three weeks in advance. More like, I'll offer, not tell him how much, then rinse him later.

Best of all - I decided after this not to go ahead with the work. £100+VAT if I want it back! (No thanks mate I'll phone AA thanks). Glad I never took courtesy car off him - he'd have keep quiet then added £200 to the bill!

Where do I stand legally? Of course, got to pay to get the car back. Possibly he'd done nothing illegal.

Bit of background - he did make a real! p@ss take of an offer (about 20% of what its worth in its current state)!to buy the car to refurbish himself,! and knock off the repair bill too. And of course I wouldn't need to get it transported back.

I get the impression he was hoping I'd go for the easy option and cut my losses. Very poor behavior undoubtedly but do I have a leg to stand on complaining about the unspecified recovery charge?

unholyangel

How was the contract for the recovery entered into?

dj1471

Legally they can't charge you a fee you didn't agree to in advance.

Someone will be along shortly to tell you it's entirely your fault and you should have asked how much collecting the car would cost. That's not how consumer contracts work.

Pay it then send them a letter before action and go to small claims as necessary to recover it.

TheTalkingDead

Pay him write on the receipt price paid under dispute, communicate with him in writing after, if deadlocked later opt to go the small claims track.

[Deleted User]

I do actually have the facebook conversation saved where I tell him where I am and say its going to be a problem getting car to him and hes answered:-

"Hi there yes we can take care of that for you. We could collect it on a trailer and bring it in so that isn't an issue either"

No mention of cost anywhere until I get the invoice. I even messaged him to thank him for collecting it. Bet he though yeh right you've just been charged £120!

Hes messaged me today to tell me- get car moved tomorrow or pay him ANOTHER £120 or hes going to dump it on the street.

comeandgo

You surely did not expect someone with a trailer to pick up your car for free?

[Deleted User]

dj1471 wrote: »

Legally they can't charge you a fee you didn't agree to in advance.

Someone will be along shortly to tell you it's entirely your fault and you should have asked how much collecting the car would cost. That's not how consumer contracts work.

Pay it then send them a letter before action and go to small claims as necessary to recover it.

I would have though common decency would dictate if you offer a service it might be worth telling the customer how much its going to cost.

I'm getting it delivered back for £58. Less than half what he charges. I told him that - his argument is he can't do it that cheap and £120 is his charge. Well, mate, might be making sure everyone knows this before you do it then charge for it.

I guess with a garage to a certain extent you pay what they charge.

I'm glad he never lent me a courtesy car he'd have billed me for use of that!

[Deleted User]

comeandgo wrote: »

You surely did not expect someone with a trailer to pick up your car for free?

Did you read the way he worded his offer though?

And many garages offer free collection, free courtesy car and all sorts. My other car has just been in the garage (didnt go too well and they offer free collection by truck).

What I do expect a decent person to say is "OK I can pick it up but its going to cost £100+VAT". NOT keep quiet knowing when you've done it, you've got the car they can't moan.

Also, made worse by the fact that there was no rush getting it to him. I had THREE weeks. He knows full well I could have got it towed over independently for less than half that.

BoGoF

How hard would it be for you to then ask how much it would cost?

mattyprice4004

Sorry, but you could very easily asked what it’d cost - it’s hardly going to be free, and as the saying goes... ‘to assume makes an !!! out of you and me’

Chalk it up to experience and check next time. We’ve all done similar!

wesleyad

[quote=[Deleted User];75692844]

Hes messaged me today to tell me- get car moved tomorrow or pay him ANOTHER £120 or hes going to dump it on the street.[/QUOTE]

Doesn't that solve your problem, then you can just collect and not have to pay?