Charged 83% over the quote.

VinceStClair

Is there some consumer rights law governing the amount a vendor can go above a quote without warning?

I took my car to a garage for new rear brakes.   I was quoted £200 for discs & pads.   I checked with a few colleagues, who said that was about right.

I received a text to say the car was ready, but the front brakes were also ready for changing and a service due.    I knew neither were true, so I declined.   There was no mention of price.

When I went to pick up the car, I was presented with a bill for £366.   I was shocked & asked how come?    He said the parts cost more than expected.

If true (I don’t believe it), should he not have messaged me before ordering the parts & touching the car?    

Thanks

Baldytyke88

The £200 quote looks too cheap, my guess would be that it was an estimate and not a quote. Was it in writing?

This Vauxhall website lists disk/pads prices from £369-£589

https://www.stellantisandyou.co.uk/vauxhall/service/fixed-price-repairs

pinkshoes

VinceStClair said:

Is there some consumer rights law governing the amount a vendor can go above a quote without warning?

I took my car to a garage for new rear brakes.   I was quoted £200 for discs & pads.   I checked with a few colleagues, who said that was about right.

I received a text to say the car was ready, but the front brakes were also ready for changing and a service due.    I knew neither were true, so I declined.   There was no mention of price.

When I went to pick up the car, I was presented with a bill for £366.   I was shocked & asked how come?    He said the parts cost more than expected.

If true (I don’t believe it), should he not have messaged me before ordering the parts & touching the car?    

Thanks

A agree £200 is on the cheaper side.

Was this in writing stating quote or just a verbal estimate?

VinceStClair

Thanks, but I think you both missed my question.  Maybe I didn’t make it clear.

If a vendor quotes X, then decides the price will be X+Y.    At what point are the (legally or morally) obliged to ask the customer’s consent?

Isthisforreal99

VinceStClair said:

Thanks, but I think you both missed my question.  Maybe I didn’t make it clear.

If a vendor quotes X, then decides the price will be X+Y.    At what point are the (legally or morally) obliged to ask the customer’s consent?

You were asked if it was a quote or an estimate - that will enable an accurate answer.

VinceStClair

It was a Quote.   Very simple job.   Discs & Pads on rear..   a job he would have done 1000 times.

£366 is a big leap from £200.   83%.    

Had it been £220 I wouldn’t have batted an eyelid.
£250, I’d have asked the question…. 

He said the parts were more than he thought……
He would not have touched the car before ordering parts.

BTW, this was a backstreet garage, not a Main Dealer.   £200 is about right for the job.  Had he quoted higher, I could have taken it elsewhere.


My question is specifically around the legalities of a Quote to Final Price ratio?


Thanks

born_again

VinceStClair said:

It was a Quote.   Very simple job.   Discs & Pads on rear..   a job he would have done 1000 times.

£366 is a big leap from £200.   83%.    

Had it been £220 I wouldn’t have batted an eyelid.
£250, I’d have asked the question…. 

He said the parts were more than he thought……
He would not have touched the car before ordering parts.

BTW, this was a backstreet garage, not a Main Dealer.   £200 is about right for the job.  Had he quoted higher, I could have taken it elsewhere.


My question is specifically around the legalities of a Quote to Final Price ratio?


Thanks

Was the quote just for parts, or the whole job?

VinceStClair

Obviously, the quote was for the job.

Emmia

VinceStClair said:

Obviously, the quote was for the job.

Was it? Written? parts and labour separately quoted?

littleboo

If it was a quote, then the parts would have needed to be priced up in order to produce a quote so yes, it's hard to see how the parts could be more than expected.

VinceStClair

Good lord!    I give in!

It’s as basic a job as mechanic can do.   Short of changing a Windscreen wiper……

Even “Quote” is the wrong word, he gave me a PRICE.   

There was no diagnosis to be done.  No extra work.    30-40 minute job, 1hr tops.

Standard parts.   Discs & Pads.   That’s it.

Had he quoted £366 at the outset, I would have gone elsewhere.

My question relates to the price hike without warning?