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Looks as though I am being taken for a ride

(14 Posts)
HAZBEEN Sun 24-Jun-18 10:11:01

My OH is a general builder and often gives the customer a list of materials needed to arrange them themselves if they want to. His quotes always give the cost of labour separate from materials so they can shop around if they want to and then they can see they are not being ripped off. It is true that many builders get a discount from suppliers but some things that are not normally used have to be sourced elsewhere or the customer requests a particular brand which the supplier does not stock.
Having said that this was a bit over the top! Hopefully he will see the error of his ways!

annep Sun 24-Jun-18 09:40:14

A tradesman who did flooring for us was annoyed we bought it ourselves at local store (where we negotiated discount). He actually said You got the discount instead of me!

Chinesecrested Sat 23-Jun-18 23:25:30

Happens all the time

Eloethan Sat 23-Jun-18 21:54:11

You are right to challenge it Luckygirl. That sort of price hike is not acceptable. I thought that tradespeople often got products at a reduced price anyway.

I hope he amends his invoice.

NfkDumpling Sat 23-Jun-18 20:55:52

Overheads would be included in the hourly rate. I bet he comes back and says it’s a typing error and it should be £19.99 per can. He was trying it on, thinking you were a soft touch.

Oopsadaisy53 Sat 23-Jun-18 20:16:45

Maybe he has made an error, but he has a Company to run, overheads to pay , vehicles to run and various taxes to cover.

However, some tradesman will allow you to buy the products yourself and you only pay them for their labour.

lemongrove Sat 23-Jun-18 12:50:03

Always worth challenging prices Lucky we did the same recently ( queried the price) and it was reduced with an apology.Hope it will be for you.?

DanniRae Sat 23-Jun-18 12:29:18

What a $!!&$. I hope he corrects his 'little' mistake angry Please let us know what the outcome is!!

Brunette10 Sat 23-Jun-18 12:04:10

Well said Day6.

Cherrytree59 Sat 23-Jun-18 11:12:54

Agree suppliers do give trade discount.

One satisfied customer who would gladly recommend to others, is worth more in the long run than a 'Fast Buck'

Day6 Sat 23-Jun-18 11:03:39

It often pays to get your own materials, if possible. Most builders get massive trade discounts when they buy materials. For your workman to try to cheat you like this is disgraceful. Just as we hire people on recommendation, we ought to be able to disgrace those who cheat and lie regarding price.

Brunette10 Sat 23-Jun-18 10:57:36

Wish you all the best here and I hope your 'handyman' realises you are not some old fool who can be taken for a ride - Good luck!

glammanana Sat 23-Jun-18 10:54:36

I like the fact you have given him the chance to recharge due to "inadvertent error" and hope he corrects your final total.
Why do people think we older clients are a soft touch when it comes to payments
I do hope you get it sorted Lucky

Luckygirl Sat 23-Jun-18 10:44:18

Just had our decking pressure washed then oiled with Ronseal decking oil. It is a huge area of decking that surrounds the whole bungalow. I accepted the quote that the chap gave; and it included that the Ronseal decking oil would be charged at cost. Before accepting the quote I researched how much a 5 litre can costs (max £20.65), and estimated that 6 cans might be needed. I have just had the invoice and he has charged £39.99 per can. They were definitely 5 litre cans that he used - I saw them, and a partially empty one has been left here. Now - if it had been a couple of quid more I would have let it ride, but this is virtually double the real cost.

I have sent him an email outlining this and suggesting that perhaps he might have made an "inadvertent error" on the invoice.

I await developments.I hate people trying to take me for a ride.