Feel ripped off by plumber

mi-key

Yes, I imagine he spent £10 - £15 on a new waste and overflow from screwfix and just swapped the pipe over as they are normally a standard size.

But... nearly all plumbers charge a call out for leak repairs. The cheaper ones around my area charge £50 + VAT for this, then a minimum of 1 hours labour ( £50 + VAT again if you are lucky, often it is more like £100 ) - so £120 for the callout and labour, and £15 for the part sounds about right.

Some good plumbers won't charge the callout fee if you get them to do the job as well on the same visit. 

mi-key

I'm sure he only wanted the money transferring to his girlfriend because he owed her for the weekend shopping though, and it will all go through his books...  

KaratePigeon

I know, I know, completely my fault, I'm not stupid but I do lack confidence in challenging people He told me before he went to get the part how much it'd be and I asked if he could just get the tube as I didn't really see why the waste needed replacing but he said no, they come as one thing. I was working from home and distracted between meetings and wanted to get it sorted before the school run so didn't think it through properly. 

I've just messaged him and he's said he 'didn't mean to leave that part there. I fort (sic) I took the rubbish with me. I didn't need to change the plug so didn't touch silicone. I went to active plumbing as was closer. The part was £55' 

He must think I'm stupid. Can't decide whether to keep pushing (and ask for my waste back, or to see a receipt or something' or it'll just annoy me more and I need to let it go. 

mi-key

£55 !!! yeah I bet it was ! 

To be honest I would let it go and just never use him again or recommend him to other people. 

FreeBear

KaratePigeon said: The part was £55

Misprint surely. Generic one from Screwfix would have been £5.99, and top of the range, £34.52.

https://www.activeplumbingsupplies.co.uk/product/plastic-bath-waste-with-overflow-plug/ - £5.65+VAT

DE_612183

call him out on it - say you want a VAT itemised VAT receipt.

KaratePigeon

Ah but I'm having too much fun to let it go! Reminds me of when I caught my ex lying 

Him: I'm not VAT registered. I don't have my own account so I use my partners. I've saved your ceiling so a thanks would be nice. 

Me: Where is the part you took, can I see a photo of it?

Him: I will do 2moz. I'm having dinner with my family. Please don't say I'm a lier. I've saved you lot of money if the electrics failed and damage to the ceiling

I'm surprised he's still replying to me, haha

mi-key

He will just say he doesn't provide itemised receipts and just quotes for the whole job, which legally is perfectly fine. Even if he gives a VAT receipt there is no saying he is actually declaring anything

comeandgo

KaratePigeon said:

Ah but I'm having too much fun to let it go! Reminds me of when I caught my ex lying 

Him: I'm not VAT registered. I don't have my own account so I use my partners. I've saved your ceiling so a thanks would be nice. 

Me: Where is the part you took, can I see a photo of it?

Him: I will do 2moz. I'm having dinner with my family. Please don't say I'm a lier. I've saved you lot of money if the electrics failed and damage to the ceiling

I'm surprised he's still replying to me, haha

He does not have to be Vat registered if his turnover is less than whatever HMRC say, it’s about £90 k a year I think.  He can use any bank account he likes as long as he can evidence it if called for enquiry.
I would keep asking for invoice and receipt though, 

KaratePigeon

FreeBear said:

KaratePigeon said: The part was £55

Misprint surely. Generic one from Screwfix would have been £5.99, and top of the range, £34.52.

https://www.activeplumbingsupplies.co.uk/product/plastic-bath-waste-with-overflow-plug/ - £5.65+VAT

He didn't replace the plug. it's literally just the black tube off it, so even less than £5.65