I queried a plumber's invoice 3 1/2 years ago - they're now chasing me for payment!

HLL_2

Hello - I was billed, 2.10.2004, what I thought was a ridiculous amount above my original quote (£380 excl. VAT jumped to £835.73). I queried this 28.10.2004 stating I was happy to pay £549.48. I heard absolutely nothing until a phone call and letter 10.04.2008 chasing up the amount I'd originally agreed to. Obviously I have not budgeted on this payment. Am I legally obligated to pay please?
Thanks.

MORPH3US

So what have you actually paid up to now?

HLL_2

Nothing. I am prepared to pay an amount, but is it fair that they've left it so long to query? I assume they've had some sort of audit?? I had all the information on my desk for two years and then filed it as I hadn't had a reply for so long (not even an acknowedgement) - thought I'd got away with not paying at all.....

Clive_Woody

HLL wrote: »

Hello - I was billed, 2.10.2004, what I thought was a ridiculous amount above my original quote (£380 excl. VAT jumped to £835.73). I queried this 28.10.2004 stating I was happy to pay £549.48. I heard absolutely nothing until a phone call and letter 10.04.2008 chasing up the amount I'd originally agreed to. Obviously I have not budgeted on this payment. Am I legally obligated to pay please?
Thanks.

If you agreed to the amount and they did the work to your satisfaction then I don't understand the issue. You owe them the money and despite the time lapse I would imagine you are still obliged to pay them. Look on the bright side you have had two years interest on the money.

MORPH3US

HLL wrote: »

Obviously I have not budgeted on this payment.

Of course you must have budgeted to pay for the work when you first had it done.

I suspect that what you mean is "I thought I got away without paying so I spent the money on other stuff" - don't take that in a horrible way, I would have done the same thing (possibly).

If they have done the work and you agreed to pay x amount, I think you are morally obliged to pay... can't comment on the legal position though, sorry.....

olly300

Yes you have to pay the debt otherwise they can take you to court. They have 6 years to chase you for the debt under the Limitations Act 1980.

HLL_2

Don't they have to proof that they've been chasing me constantly over this time period? My main issue is that my queries fell into a 'hole' for such a length of time.

moneypooh

HLL wrote: »

Don't they have to proof that they've been chasing me constantly over this time period? My main issue is that my queries fell into a 'hole' for such a length of time.

They don't have to prove they have been chasing for the amount, because in therory you have not paid and it was your responsibilty to pay - not theirs to chase for it.

Like olly300 states they have 6 years to chase it up. Some items do fall through very well maintained systems and can get 'lost'.
However if they do take you to court you will be liable for all costs and interest on the amount owed.

Out of interest why did you agree to pay and then not??

furrybloke

How long do you need to get the money together. You are liable. I would write back pointing out the time delay & stating that you are happy to pay on x date & the delay is due to the amount of time they have taken to respond as the money is now in a savings account that requires x number of days notice.

Voyager2002

The people responding to this thread have trouble reading! The OP accepted an estimate and agreed to have the work done. The final bill was about double the estimated amount, so naturally he questioned this. No reply for four years, and now they are asking for the amount of the bill, and still not responding to his suggestion that the amount owing should be somewhat closer to the amount of the estimate.

All that I can say is to repeat what others have said, which is that the time delay makes absolutely no difference to the issue. Try sending a copy of your letter querying the amount to the person who recently telephoned asking for the money, and see if you can negotiate the amount of the payment.

olly300

HLL wrote: »

Don't they have to proof that they've been chasing me constantly over this time period? My main issue is that my queries fell into a 'hole' for such a length of time.

First 2004 to 2008 is just over 4 years so it's within the 6 year limit.

Secondly the fact they telephoned you before sending the letter shows they have been chasing you up. I would definitely not be surprised if they had not made notes showing this.

This means they can now send you a debt collecting letter and take you to court. Even worse they may not take you to court themselves but sell the debt on to debt collectors.

If you want to find out why your queries fell in to a hole for such a long time you are allowed to do a Data Subject Access Request asking to see what information they hold on you.

I suggest you just pay up and stop making excuses before the situation gets worse. If you don't have the money immediately agree reasonable monthly repayment terms i.e. don't offer them £10 when you can afford to pay them more.