Feel ripped off by plumber

Doozergirl

DE_612183 said:

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

What's that achieving if he's not VAT registered, which he probably isn't? 

Our plumber charges £250 a day and we use him all the time, yet the minimum fee would be half a day because that's pretty much how long it takes to get something done by the time you've travelled etc, plus you don't know what you're going to be confronted with, so you can't assume to go to another person within a certain time frame.  

It certainly makes me careful what we call people out for, but the idea of £20 is a nonsense.  

KaratePigeon

I do understand that (though he's local, it was done a time convenient to him, he literally left his house and was back within half an hour, so it's very steep). 

So being overcharged is annoying, but it's more the fact that he lied to me - Nobody likes that. 

GrubbyGirl_2

As a woman you are treated by (a minority of) trades as being stupid and therefore gullible.  It really is important to ask questions as to what they are going to do and to get a quote before agreeing them to do the job.  Even better get more than one quote.  You've learned a hard lesson, although I do think you're expectations were unrealistic.

What you should do is talk to your friends, neighbours, relatives etc and get yourself a list of trades that they have used and been happy with.  That way you don't have to rely on google to find someone.  Also another good test of whether a trades person is good tends to be availability.  Whilst may good ones will fit in an emergency, if you want a job done and they can do it tomorrow, there is a reason for that.  Good people are busy.  I needed work done in my bathroom (not urgent) and I had to wait for 4 months to get my plumber to have availability

WhiskersTheWonderCat

You say you had a bad experience with him over Christmas, where you believe he over-charged you and left a mess. Yet you called him back? 

Phil4432

Yes, you've been ripped off.  He should have had the decency to give you a quote for the work first.

But we must always get a quote before work commences, preferably in writing.

As he left a mess, he obviously isn't professional.  

The 'pay my girlfriend's account,' is suspect.

Wouldn't be surprised if he was the one who dislodged the pipe in the first place.

There's many cowboys in this industry, we're all going to meet one unfortunately.

Put it down to bad experience and move on.

GDB2222

KaratePigeon said:

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

He will just have thrown the rest in the bin. 

He's driven from his previous job to you, and has to drive to the next job. he's gone to get the parts. it's all time and money. 

powerful_Rogue

Why didn't you diagnose and fix it?

That's right, you're also paying for their experience.

ThisIsWeird

You seem to have paid top whack, right enough KP, but whether it's 'overcharged' is debatable; it turned out to be a double-visit job, because - astonishingly - he didn't have one of these generic wastes in the back of his van.

Considering how quick and simple the actual 'repair' was, and how you'd removed the panel for him, I'd agree that it showed a lack of integrity/empathy/consideration/whatevs for him to have charged what he did - surely the max amount he could have 'got away' with! But, it's a fait-accompli, and you now know the guy's calibre.

And, yes, it's compounded by him trying to fob you off with whatever carp came into his head, now that you've actually challenged him - a £55 waste, indeed. The alternative would have been for him to have 'fessed up that it only cost him a £iver, and he's doing very nicely at your expense - thank you. So he ain't going to do that 'cos he'd expose himself as the exploitative wad that he is.

Leave honest feedback if you wish, but certainly take the advice given earlier - get some personal recommendations for good and honest tradesfolk in your area.

Risteard

DE_612183 said:

I'd ask him for a VAT receipt - that may get him to perhaps "review" his charge - especially if you have paid into his girlfriends account - thats tax evasion I suspect. 

How do you know that the business is VAT registered?

dil1976

Even if the plumber is VAT registered they can charge what they like for parts, then just put the VAT on top of that cost.