Massively overcharged - best way forward

[Super Slo Mo]

I got ripped off years ago doing a similar thing, only it was a plumbing company coming to unblock a drain.
Kid turned up in a van, wearing trainers, cream chinos and a fluffy jumper (was about year 200).
He got his blasting machine thing set up and cleared the drain in about 35 mins. Snag is that he started at (this is a guess as details are hazy) 12.55 and finished at 13.02, the machine was running in 3 separate 30 minute periods. At something like £100 per 30 minutes this came to £300.
Plus the alleged 7 litres of chemical at £30 a litre that I'd told the guy not to use as we were on a septic tank, plus the call out charge and we were in the hole for a lot of money.
I didn't see any chemical get used but couldn't prove it so got stung anyway.
The company I had called in the first place were not interested as they'd subbed it out to an independent just like in your case.

Wasn't a lot else I could do about it, but I hope you have better luck.

[2lefthands]

judas said:

2lefthands said:

Highlighted in bold, this needs reporting to Gas Safe for even being uttered! If they've thought it out loud, they've done it somewhere, and is not only reportable to Gas Safe but also HSE under RIDDOR if discovered (is classified as an open end on gas pipework). Their recent work probably deserves some closer inspection.

Feel free to PM me the Gas Safe number and I'll log in and have a nose. Company and Engineer if you can locate on your cert or job sheet.

I thought as much, and thanks info in the other thread and for the offer - I'll send it over this evening.

Another question: I seem to recall that the fitter supplied the registration number of the contracting company but not one for himself? Is this acceptable?

It's questionable, I always provide both company and personal reg numbers on my paperwork, even though it's just me as a self employed business. Even when subcontracting, everything goes under my registration as you cannot be acting on behalf of a business you are not registered under. British Gas have huge issues with this when they farm out work, as subbies have to provide their own registration details and the customer then questions why they have to pay BG's extortionate rates.

The company registration will have all suitably competent persons listed as engineers on the Gas Safe website. If you search there and don't see their mug shot, it's reporting time. I would not advise telling the company you are reporting it prior to contacting Gas Safe.

[austinsmirk]

use a company via the website "check a trade" or "which trusted traders" (its where I advertise)

they're about the only internet based search engines that check contractors paperwork, insurance, get customer feedback.


every other site is just a ping type commission referral system with virtually no checking.



sorry to hear about yr plight.

[anonymous-user]

I used a check a trader for a plumbing job, didnt have a clue.

[Your Dad]

First time I had to call out a company for a blocked drain, went for the 'big name' type that covers all areas. Instant 'that'll need jetting' @ £££s/hr + the vat. Next time same drain was blocked, changes to the responsibility as it was a shared drain and the water company sent a chap round. He used rods and it's never been blocked again.

google results for the Ts&Cs gave me an amusing result. First is a group that provides emergency response for heating/plumbing etc., second results is this thread.

[judas]

Your Dad said:

google results for the Ts&Cs gave me an amusing result. First is a group that provides emergency response for heating/plumbing etc., second results is this thread.

How curious...

[Ren Esis]

Checkatrade is a farce IMO. I tried to submit a negative review after a bad experience and it was declined by the website. Tried twice more and both times, same result.

What's the point of a review website if only the good reviews go through?

[Bristol spark]

Ren Esis said:

Checkatrade is a farce IMO. I tried to submit a negative review after a bad experience and it was declined by the website. Tried twice more and both times, same result.

What's the point of a review website if only the good reviews go through?

Its not surprising really, when its the tradesmen who are funding these sites.


All these type of sites would work a lot better if it was the customer's paying.

[elster]

2lefthands said:

Highlighted in bold, this needs reporting to Gas Safe for even being uttered! If they've thought it out loud, they've done it somewhere, and is not only reportable to Gas Safe but also HSE under RIDDOR if discovered (is classified as an open end on gas pipework). Their recent work probably deserves some closer inspection.

Feel free to PM me the Gas Safe number and I'll log in and have a nose. Company and Engineer if you can locate on your cert or job sheet.

How come crimps are not allowed on gas in the uk?

I use crimps in France and in fact are preferred, due to lack of hot work permit?

[hedgefinder]

Ren Esis said:

Checkatrade is a farce IMO. I tried to submit a negative review after a bad experience and it was declined by the website. Tried twice more and both times, same result.

What's the point of a review website if only the good reviews go through?

I have mentioned this to people on here who keep spouting rubbish about only using check a trade or simliar sites for tradesmen. Its all a con, the tradesmen who are listed have to pay a fee to be there or book a job - do you seriously think that the site is going to remove rouge traders unless someone actually dies..

whoops...should have read the rest of the thread - beaten to it!! lol

[V8RX7]

Sheepshanks said:

judas said:

In all, a 20 minute job turned into 2.5 hours plus an unnecessary 60 miles of (no doubt) billable travel.

Someone on here used to work for one of these emergency call-out companies and what you've described is exactly how they make their money.

^^^This - it's standard practice for 99% of the "emergency" trades.

Even if they have the part on the van they are told to go to the cafe around the corner for 45mins

My Mum used one to replace a ballcock - he came without one, had to go back twice etc I argued with them that at the very least the second trip was clearly due to incompetence and they agreed to knock 45 mins off - so only £200 ish to change a ballcock then

[All that jazz]

Your Dad said:

First time I had to call out a company for a blocked drain, went for the 'big name' type that covers all areas. Instant 'that'll need jetting' @ £££s/hr + the vat. Next time same drain was blocked, changes to the responsibility as it was a shared drain and the water company sent a chap round. He used rods and it's never been blocked again.

google results for the Ts&Cs gave me an amusing result. First is a group that provides emergency response for heating/plumbing etc., second results is this thread.

Indeedy :

Emergency Response Group T&Cs

Could just be a coincidence though.