Mobile Mechanic Call Out Fee

Stubod

thethinwhiteduke said:

Stubod said:

I would expect a "call out fee" for any basic service to be at at least £60, electrician, plumber, locksmith et all.......

..and if they offered to "waive it" subject to buying a battery of them then just but the battery and it hasn't cost you anything?

So you'd be happy if they sprung it on you at the end of the conversation? How do you ascertain what is a reasonable charge for a basic service? Most of the trades you describe are upfront about call out fees, and are sometimes proud to announce "No Call Out Charge" if that's their policy. Last time a locksmith came out to me, he was immediately upfront on the costs. As I said previously, the MM had plenty of opportunity to do so earlier - he chose not to.

...I like to think I am intelligent enough to realise that if I expect somebody to "pop around" to provide a service then I fully expect that I have to pay for it. I also understand that in the general world of economics a standard call out fee is likely to be a minimum of 1 hours labour regardless of how long it actually takes....if I was ever in any doubt I would just ask upfront.

At the start of your thread you say you are "trying to gauge opinion", I have given you mine as have others.

It's not my fault that you don't like the opinions you asked for...

....reminds me of my favourite Homer Simpson quote...."It's everybody's fault but mine"... 

thethinwhiteduke

Stubod said:

thethinwhiteduke said:

Stubod said:

I would expect a "call out fee" for any basic service to be at at least £60, electrician, plumber, locksmith et all.......

..and if they offered to "waive it" subject to buying a battery of them then just but the battery and it hasn't cost you anything?

So you'd be happy if they sprung it on you at the end of the conversation? How do you ascertain what is a reasonable charge for a basic service? Most of the trades you describe are upfront about call out fees, and are sometimes proud to announce "No Call Out Charge" if that's their policy. Last time a locksmith came out to me, he was immediately upfront on the costs. As I said previously, the MM had plenty of opportunity to do so earlier - he chose not to.

...I like to think I am intelligent enough to realise that if I expect somebody to "pop around" to provide a service then I fully expect that I have to pay for it. I also understand that in the general world of economics a standard call out fee is likely to be a minimum of 1 hours labour regardless of how long it actually takes....if I was ever in any doubt I would just ask upfront.

At the start of your thread you say you are "trying to gauge opinion", I have given you mine as have others.

It's not my fault that you don't like the opinions you asked for...

....reminds me of my favourite Homer Simpson quote...."It's everybody's fault but mine"... 

Sorry, but I didn't say I didn't like your opinion, I was merely querying it. As another poster pointed out, what's to stop him rocking up and asking silly money for a call out if he hasn't agreed a price beforehand? Is there an upper limit that you yourself would be unhappy with under the same circumstances?
As far as "charging an hours labour". I don't know what that is, it's not on his FB, he didn't mention it. In hindsight, I should have asked, but he should be telling me.

Billy_B_North

thethinwhiteduke said:

Stubod said:

thethinwhiteduke said:

Stubod said:

I would expect a "call out fee" for any basic service to be at at least £60, electrician, plumber, locksmith et all.......

..and if they offered to "waive it" subject to buying a battery of them then just but the battery and it hasn't cost you anything?

So you'd be happy if they sprung it on you at the end of the conversation? How do you ascertain what is a reasonable charge for a basic service? Most of the trades you describe are upfront about call out fees, and are sometimes proud to announce "No Call Out Charge" if that's their policy. Last time a locksmith came out to me, he was immediately upfront on the costs. As I said previously, the MM had plenty of opportunity to do so earlier - he chose not to.

...I like to think I am intelligent enough to realise that if I expect somebody to "pop around" to provide a service then I fully expect that I have to pay for it. I also understand that in the general world of economics a standard call out fee is likely to be a minimum of 1 hours labour regardless of how long it actually takes....if I was ever in any doubt I would just ask upfront.

At the start of your thread you say you are "trying to gauge opinion", I have given you mine as have others.

It's not my fault that you don't like the opinions you asked for...

....reminds me of my favourite Homer Simpson quote...."It's everybody's fault but mine"... 

Sorry, but I didn't say I didn't like your opinion, I was merely querying it. As another poster pointed out, what's to stop him rocking up and asking silly money for a call out if he hasn't agreed a price beforehand? Is there an upper limit that you yourself would be unhappy with under the same circumstances?
As far as "charging an hours labour". I don't know what that is, it's not on his FB, he didn't mention it. In hindsight, I should have asked, but he should be telling me.

Why are you trying to muddy the situation with hypothetical events that didn’t happen?
The nan came out, as promised, did what was asked, and requested a completely reasonable fee. There is no reason whatsoever not to pay it immediately.

David713

thethinwhiteduke said:

Stubod said:

thethinwhiteduke said:

Stubod said:

I would expect a "call out fee" for any basic service to be at at least £60, electrician, plumber, locksmith et all.......

..and if they offered to "waive it" subject to buying a battery of them then just but the battery and it hasn't cost you anything?

So you'd be happy if they sprung it on you at the end of the conversation? How do you ascertain what is a reasonable charge for a basic service? Most of the trades you describe are upfront about call out fees, and are sometimes proud to announce "No Call Out Charge" if that's their policy. Last time a locksmith came out to me, he was immediately upfront on the costs. As I said previously, the MM had plenty of opportunity to do so earlier - he chose not to.

...I like to think I am intelligent enough to realise that if I expect somebody to "pop around" to provide a service then I fully expect that I have to pay for it. I also understand that in the general world of economics a standard call out fee is likely to be a minimum of 1 hours labour regardless of how long it actually takes....if I was ever in any doubt I would just ask upfront.

At the start of your thread you say you are "trying to gauge opinion", I have given you mine as have others.

It's not my fault that you don't like the opinions you asked for...

....reminds me of my favourite Homer Simpson quote...."It's everybody's fault but mine"... 

Sorry, but I didn't say I didn't like your opinion, I was merely querying it. As another poster pointed out, what's to stop him rocking up and asking silly money for a call out if he hasn't agreed a price beforehand? Is there an upper limit that you yourself would be unhappy with under the same circumstances?
As far as "charging an hours labour". I don't know what that is, it's not on his FB, he didn't mention it. In hindsight, I should have asked, but he should be telling me.

As already explained, the Consumer rights act stops them charging silly money as this clearly states that if no price had been agreed beforehand, the consumer must only pay a reasonable charge.

(2) In that case the contract is to be treated as including a term that the consumer must pay a reasonable price for the service, and no more.

Notice the word "must". So if the charge is reasonable, (and most people on here think it is) then you are obliged to pay it even if you were not advised of it before the work was carried out.

burlingtonfl6

David713 said:

thethinwhiteduke said:

Stubod said:

thethinwhiteduke said:

Stubod said:

I would expect a "call out fee" for any basic service to be at at least £60, electrician, plumber, locksmith et all.......

..and if they offered to "waive it" subject to buying a battery of them then just but the battery and it hasn't cost you anything?

So you'd be happy if they sprung it on you at the end of the conversation? How do you ascertain what is a reasonable charge for a basic service? Most of the trades you describe are upfront about call out fees, and are sometimes proud to announce "No Call Out Charge" if that's their policy. Last time a locksmith came out to me, he was immediately upfront on the costs. As I said previously, the MM had plenty of opportunity to do so earlier - he chose not to.

...I like to think I am intelligent enough to realise that if I expect somebody to "pop around" to provide a service then I fully expect that I have to pay for it. I also understand that in the general world of economics a standard call out fee is likely to be a minimum of 1 hours labour regardless of how long it actually takes....if I was ever in any doubt I would just ask upfront.

At the start of your thread you say you are "trying to gauge opinion", I have given you mine as have others.

It's not my fault that you don't like the opinions you asked for...

....reminds me of my favourite Homer Simpson quote...."It's everybody's fault but mine"... 

Sorry, but I didn't say I didn't like your opinion, I was merely querying it. As another poster pointed out, what's to stop him rocking up and asking silly money for a call out if he hasn't agreed a price beforehand? Is there an upper limit that you yourself would be unhappy with under the same circumstances?
As far as "charging an hours labour". I don't know what that is, it's not on his FB, he didn't mention it. In hindsight, I should have asked, but he should be telling me.

As already explained, the Consumer rights act stops them charging silly money as this clearly states that if no price had been agreed beforehand, the consumer must only pay a reasonable charge.

(2) In that case the contract is to be treated as including a term that the consumer must pay a reasonable price for the service, and no more.

Notice the word "must". So if the charge is reasonable, (and most people on here think it is) then you are obliged to pay it even if you were not advised of it before the work was carried out.

Not only that, but the mechanic didn't just look at the issue, he jump started it and got the OP back on the road.
It amazes me how some people on here expect other to work for nothing

lemondrops69

Billy_B_North said:

thethinwhiteduke said:

Stubod said:

thethinwhiteduke said:

Stubod said:

I would expect a "call out fee" for any basic service to be at at least £60, electrician, plumber, locksmith et all.......

..and if they offered to "waive it" subject to buying a battery of them then just but the battery and it hasn't cost you anything?

So you'd be happy if they sprung it on you at the end of the conversation? How do you ascertain what is a reasonable charge for a basic service? Most of the trades you describe are upfront about call out fees, and are sometimes proud to announce "No Call Out Charge" if that's their policy. Last time a locksmith came out to me, he was immediately upfront on the costs. As I said previously, the MM had plenty of opportunity to do so earlier - he chose not to.

...I like to think I am intelligent enough to realise that if I expect somebody to "pop around" to provide a service then I fully expect that I have to pay for it. I also understand that in the general world of economics a standard call out fee is likely to be a minimum of 1 hours labour regardless of how long it actually takes....if I was ever in any doubt I would just ask upfront.

At the start of your thread you say you are "trying to gauge opinion", I have given you mine as have others.

It's not my fault that you don't like the opinions you asked for...

....reminds me of my favourite Homer Simpson quote...."It's everybody's fault but mine"... 

Sorry, but I didn't say I didn't like your opinion, I was merely querying it. As another poster pointed out, what's to stop him rocking up and asking silly money for a call out if he hasn't agreed a price beforehand? Is there an upper limit that you yourself would be unhappy with under the same circumstances?
As far as "charging an hours labour". I don't know what that is, it's not on his FB, he didn't mention it. In hindsight, I should have asked, but he should be telling me.

The nan came out, as promised, did what was asked, and requested a completely reasonable fee. 

I'd be a bit miffed if my NAN came out then charged me £60. Although to be honest I'd be surprised if she did as I dont think she could diagnose a faulty battery and also she has been dead for 20 years