Advice re 'cancellation fee'

SJS5

Hi 
Our boiler has stopped producing hot water...
Radiators OK.
Called a national company out that have charged a fee of £140 to look at it.

Have given us a quote of £500 for the work..1 hour labour , rest parts.

We decided to also get another quote as this seemed too expensive. 

Company now saying we have to pay a cancellation fee of £100.
I have contacted them as we have not signed anything or agreed to have them do the work.
This quote is too expensive and the plumber who came to look at the job said it would be easy 1 hour job 
The company then said it will be 2-3 hours 
What are our rights.?
We have been told to email the manager with why we think we shouldn't pay.

As said above we have signed no contract and not agreed to any work 

Thanks

eskbanker

Provided it was clear to both parties that the scope of work that you agreed to was solely the diagnosis of the problem, rather than its rectification too, then yes, there wouldn't seem to be anything to cancel as such.

MeteredOut

To be clear, they're now asking for £100 cancellation fee in addition to the £140 call out fee you've already paid?

For what its worth, some of these national companies have bad reputations for overcharging (or even charging for things not required). I'd always go with a recommended local plumber.

SJS5

MeteredOut said:

To be clear, they're now asking for £100 cancellation fee in addition to the £140 call out fee you've already paid?

For what its worth, some of these national companies have bad reputations for overcharging (or even charging for things not required). I'd always go with a recommended local plumber.

Yes that is correct

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

They've made an offer of £500, without you accepting that offer there is no contract, thus no "cancellation fee".

An offer can be accepted in many ways from signing a piece of paper to nodding your head or shaking of hands. 

From what you've said it sounds as if they gave the quote after the plumber left? Unless you said yes to them I don't see how they can claim any kind of fee. 

SJS5

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

They've made an offer of £500, without you accepting that offer there is no contract, thus no "cancellation fee".

An offer can be accepted in many ways from signing a piece of paper to nodding your head or shaking of hands. 

From what you've said it sounds as if they gave the quote after the plumber left? Unless you said yes to them I don't see how they can claim any kind of fee. 

Yes this was my point exactly to them. Thankyou

DullGreyGuy

Is it actually a cancellation fee or is it a part of the original job fee which was going to be waived if your proceeded with the rest of the job via them? Which would be linked to the choice to "cancel" the rest of the job but not a cancellation fee per sey.