Charge for estimate

vakgta2018

Hello all,

Just looking to find out if this is reasonable or not.
My OH took the car to our usual garage as the fuel gauge was being erratic. They called with an estimate to replace (£458) so we declined the work as not urgent. When OH went to pick up, she was charged £54 for 'investigations'.
They have never charged us for an estimate before, nor has any other garage. No mention was made when we dropped it off or on the phone. Also, as we knew the problem when we arrived we're not sure what was investigated.
My OH isn't experienced with cars so panicked and paid. 
I realise this may not be illegal as such, but seems really bad spirited and unreasonable to me, but is it common practice? I have probably only declined work once or twice before and not been charged. Feels like they are quiet (they called and asked if I wanted to take it a day early) and are taking advantage.
I won't go back - but £54 is a lot of money to us, unfortunately!

TadleyBaggie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6236357/charge-for-estimate Duplicate thread 

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

CCRs require traders to provide certain information for an on premises contract including prices.

It does however exclude "a contract which involves a day-to-day transaction and is performed immediately at the time when the contract is entered into.", I'm not sure if that applies to this situation but possibly not.

They can of course charge for the diagnostics and they can offer to waive the charge for the diagnostics if you use them to to fix the issue.

I agree it's very poor not to explain to you that there would be a fee payable if you didn't use them to fix the fault. From my understanding they would have acted outside the legislation if this wasn't classed as a day to day transaction. 

vakgta2018

TadleyBaggie said:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6236357/charge-for-estimate Duplicate thread 

Can't find a way to delete thread

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Your OH asked them to investigate the fuel gauge, they would have told your OH that this would cost £x prior to looking at it, and she would have signed an authorisation to do this investigate. Like me, the technician does not work for free.

vakgta2018

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth said:

Your OH asked them to investigate the fuel gauge, they would have told your OH that this would cost £x prior to looking at it, and she would have signed an authorisation to do this investigate. Like me, the technician does not work for free.

Did you even read the OP? They did not tell OH the price and she signed nothing. 

williamgriffin

vakgta2018 said:

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth said:

Your OH asked them to investigate the fuel gauge, they would have told your OH that this would cost £x prior to looking at it, and she would have signed an authorisation to do this investigate. Like me, the technician does not work for free.

Did you even read the OP? They did not tell OH the price and she signed nothing. 

Not signing wasn't mentioned in the OP.

williamgriffin

TadleyBaggie said:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6236357/charge-for-estimate Duplicate thread 

The OP has started to call people responding on that thread bellends. 

JJ_Egan

Its not an estimate charged for  its the investigation charged for .

I had that last month  investigation/ diagnose fault cost £99 .

Aylesbury_Duck

williamgriffin said:

TadleyBaggie said:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6236357/charge-for-estimate Duplicate thread 

The OP has started to call people responding on that thread bellends. 

A classic case of not getting the answer they wanted so toys get thrown.