Joiners Restocking Charge Invoice

Al_Ross

Just looking to gather some other thoughts and input regarding this.

I asked a joiner to quote to lay wood flooring in my sons flat, I was suppling the flooring. I accepted his quote via email. I chased him for a date for when the work would be carried out, as it was essential to have it completed before my sons return from hospital. I should add the property was completely empty. No date of when work was going to be done came. I chased several times, then the lockdown, he eventually replied and said he couldn't do it till after lockdown, excuses being, it was against the law, wouldn’t be insured etc. I then asked if he could give me an assurance that he would make this one of his first jobs when lockdown was removed, he failed to respond to this.

 So, I contacted another joiner and he was able to do the job in 2 weeks, a lot cheaper than the other joiner as well.

I then emailed the first joiner and informed him that I had found someone who could do the work at short notice, this he did reply to quickly, none too pleased and saying he would invoice me if there was a restocking charge for materials he had ordered.

 

 Now several weeks later the first joiner has sent me an invoice for several items, being a nail gun at £179.98, nails £52.8 0, wood adhesive £180.00, postage £24.00, return postage £46.00,3 hours labour for packaging and returning items, £90.00 all plus vat, and a 20%restocking charge for the above items, all for a grand total of £291.08.

Am I legally bound to pay this, surely any proper joiner would already have a nail gun and 3 hours of his labour to return goods?

Your thoughts on this, any joiners reading this especially.

davidmcn

Nah, he's taking the pee. 

Al_Ross

Thats what I'm thinking.

custardy

He's dreaming. I would happily let him take me to court if he felt this was justified.

peter_the_piper

You got a good let off there. A joiner that doesn't have a nail gun, nails, adhesive etc wow.

jon81uk

Something like the £50 of nails and glue might be reasonable, but what kind of joiner doesn't use a nailgun and has to buy one specially? Also why did he ship the goods, almost all tradespeople go to Wickes or Screwfix or wherever and collect goods for a job!

davidmcn

jon81uk said:

Something like the £50 of nails and glue might be reasonable

I'm not sure why they would unless there was something very peculiar about them - surely he's going to use nails and glue for other jobs?

jon81uk

davidmcn said:

jon81uk said:

Something like the £50 of nails and glue might be reasonable

I'm not sure why they would unless there was something very peculiar about them - surely he's going to use nails and glue for other jobs?

Yes that would make sense, unless the job needed something really specific. I was more just thinking in general that consumables are usually for a job but tools are something kept forever, which is why trying to charge for the nailgun is taking the !!!!!!.
Overall though it doesn't sound like this tradesperson should be trusted at all.

Al_Ross

Should I just ignore this,or should I ask him to me send me the invoices and credit notes showing the returns as proof ?

MattMattMattUK

Al_Ross said:

Should I just ignore this,or should I ask him to me send me the invoices and credit notes showing the returns as proof ?

Personally I would ignore his threats if and until he issues court proceedings, then I would defend myself if that happened, but I highly suspect that it is a bluff on his part. 

davidmcn

Al_Ross said:

should I ask him to me send me the invoices and credit notes showing the returns as proof ?

No, because that would imply you'll pay it if/when he produces the paperwork - and I don't think anybody here thinks you ought to be liable anyway.