Plumber Charging Missed Call Out Fee Even Though I Was In The House?

Magnolian

In England.

I had an appointment with a plumber to come to the house. Was given a time between 9-12am. He came but I didn't hear him knocking at the door-I was in the house. He left. We have a doorbell, but he admitted he didn't use it. He phoned my wife (not in the house) on her mobile, but as she didn't recognise the number she didn't answer. Our car was in the drive.

The company have invoiced us £30 for a missed call out. As I was in the house purposely waiting for him and he didn't use the doorbell, or ring the home phone number, we're refusing to pay this. We would however have been more than happy to rearrange the appointment.

Do we have to pay seeing that we've been invoiced. What could happen if we don't pay? If this was escalated could we be forced to pay the £30 + any extra costs?

Thanks

macman

No, of course you do not have to pay. They could sue you for the £30, but hardly likely. Yes, if judgement went against you. and you refused to pay up, they could commence bailiff action. But for £30 it ain't gonna happen. The court fee for claims up to £300 is £35 alone.  Just don't expect them to do any future work for you.
Did they contact you before invoicing, or did you have any discussion with them about why you should not be billed?
£30 for a missed call-out is actually very reasonable-were it justified.

Hoenir

Magnolian said:

He phoned my wife (not in the house) on her mobile, but as she didn't recognise the number she didn't answer. 

Was this the contact number provided to the plumber? 

Unlikely they'll agree to do any future work for you. 

Alderbank

As above, short of taking you to court there is nothing they can do. And £30 is cheap.

It annoys me as well when callers tap on the door instead of ringing the bell. However if we strip away the irrelevant stuff, there are really just two facts here:

1. The plumber attended between 9 and 12 and knocked on your door.
2. You didn't answer it.

littleboo

3. They tried to phone but you didn't answer

km1500

I would have thought the test of reasonableness would apply here -  in other words what would a normal person be reasonably expected to do when calling at a property

knocking at the door is not unreasonable but then if you don't get a reply is it unreasonable to not try the doorbell?

user1977

km1500 said:

I would have thought the test of reasonableness would apply here -  in other words what would a normal person be reasonably expected to do when calling at a property

knocking at the door is not unreasonable but then if you don't get a reply is it unreasonable to not try the doorbell?

I would say it's downright weird not to try the bell first.

sheramber

Most of the callers I get ignore the door bell, which is a large circle.

Magnolian

If the company does want to escalate to a small claims, will we still be able to refuse to pay? Does the court automatically decide in their favour, or do they have to prove their case?

user1977

Magnolian said:

If the company does want to escalate to a small claims, will we still be able to refuse to pay? Does the court automatically decide in their favour, or do they have to prove their case?

It's not automatic if you submit a defence. But in the real world, nobody goes to small claims about an alleged £30 debt.

stuhse

Your wife gives her number as a contact to a plumbing firm, then doesnt answer it when it rings between the hours she asked them to attend ?  You were sat in the house waiting for a plumber werent watching/  didnt notice a van  pull up outside and didnt hear a knock at the door that you were expecting ?  The plumber wasnt perfect..but he did call the number given ?