Covid charges
Author
Discussion

Macofthereturn

Original Poster:

6 posts

97 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
Hi all,

Does anyone know if companys are allowed to charge for "extra cleaning" during the current epidemic?

It's a garage doing service work if it makes any difference.

Is it a company's choice to do this?

The home maintenance company I work for doesn't, main reason I am asking and no it's not a small independent garage it's a manufacturer own one.

Thanks all

Haltamer

2,671 posts

109 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
A friend who recently collected a car from repair had a "Covid-19" line on his itemised invoice, however, there was no charge attached - That was from a Ford franchised repair center.

Macofthereturn

Original Poster:

6 posts

97 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
This one defo has charges attached. Not wanting to sound petty but didn't get told until I was here.

They saying it's for extra supplies to clean and sanitize the car as well as the waiting area. Someone left and they didn't sanitize where he was sitting. If they didn't do that where else did they not do.

eybic

9,212 posts

203 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
I think I would be questioning it as an unauthorised charge if you weren't made aware of it prior to taking the car in.

ETA: see if you can see anything on their website about additional charges for cars in, it will likely say they will inform you of any additional work before carrying it out and that'll be your "get out"

Ham_and_Jam

3,699 posts

126 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
Macofthereturn said:
Hi all,

Does anyone know if companys are allowed to charge for "extra cleaning" during the current epidemic?

It's a garage doing service work if it makes any difference.

Is it a company's choice to do this?

The home maintenance company I work for doesn't, main reason I am asking and no it's not a small independent garage it's a manufacturer own one.

Thanks all
Of course a business can charge you for services they do.

However they should tell you first. I always ask for a price from any garage
before I agree to bring it in, did you? If you did then you have a choice regarding whether you choose them or go elsewhere, it’s a free market.

I had my service done this week on my car. Quoted £477 main dealer. Rang around £360 at another main dealer 30 miles away. £278 at local marque specialist (ex master tech at local main dealer). He got the job and keeps warranty in place aswell.

As a side note he noticed a small oil leak at the rear of the engine, so had it in at the main dealer that quoted £477 for the service. They have now booked it in for a 4 day engine and gearbox strip to replace some seals!! They handed back today with full sanitation of car with key fob in plastic pouch, steering wheel wrapped in plastic, seats fully covered. All FOC

anonymous-user

83 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
Macofthereturn said:
Hi all,
Does anyone know if companys are allowed to charge for "extra cleaning" during the current epidemic?
Is it a company's choice to do this?
Thanks all
Local private dentist now charges an extra £15 per appointment per patient for 'extra' PPE.
Denplan patients don't pay the extra, go figure confused maybe it comes out of the monthly cost they may still be paying without any appointments or benefit.

matrignano

4,699 posts

239 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
On collection yesterday, the (main) dealer hadn't given the car a wash because their valeter is still on furlough, and the guy who dropped the car off in front of the door wasn't even wearing a mask and gloves!
(I made them go through the interior with sanitiser wipes).

I wasn't offered a "covid discount" due to the reduced service (and lack of courtesy car for "safety reason).
Covid charges my arse!

Kiribati268

572 posts

166 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
matrignano said:
On collection yesterday, the (main) dealer hadn't given the car a wash because their valeter is still on furlough, and the guy who dropped the car off in front of the door wasn't even wearing a mask and gloves!
(I made them go through the interior with sanitiser wipes).

I wasn't offered a "covid discount" due to the reduced service (and lack of courtesy car for "safety reason).
Covid charges my arse!
Do you "make" the people in tesco go over your shopping before you buy it? Get a grip.

DeWar

906 posts

75 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
matrignano said:
On collection yesterday, the (main) dealer hadn't given the car a wash because their valeter is still on furlough, and the guy who dropped the car off in front of the door wasn't even wearing a mask and gloves!
(I made them go through the interior with sanitiser wipes).

I wasn't offered a "covid discount" due to the reduced service (and lack of courtesy car for "safety reason).
Covid charges my arse!
To be fair since a typical main dealer valet actively worsens the condition of the paint, you dodged a bullet. I always ask for my car not to be washed and the instruction has been ignored more than once, which I find utterly bizarre since I’m asking them to do less work for the same money.

shouldbworking

4,801 posts

241 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
When I had my car serviced recently I told the garage I was happy to pay for any cleaning / ppe required by the current situation. In the event they absorbed the cost, which was nice of them.

Seems reasonable for a supplier to pass on increased costs especially when they aren't going to have their usual income coming in anyway

A1VDY

3,575 posts

156 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
matrignano said:
On collection yesterday, the (main) dealer hadn't given the car a wash because their valeter is still on furlough, and the guy who dropped the car off in front of the door wasn't even wearing a mask and gloves!
(I made them go through the interior with sanitiser wipes).

I wasn't offered a "covid discount" due to the reduced service (and lack of courtesy car for "safety reason).
Covid charges my arse!
You 'made' someone sanitise your car??
Very surprised the guy didn't just tell you to f. o...

55palfers

6,368 posts

193 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
speedyguy said:
Macofthereturn said:
Hi all,
Does anyone know if companys are allowed to charge for "extra cleaning" during the current epidemic?
Is it a company's choice to do this?
Thanks all
Local private dentist now charges an extra £15 per appointment per patient for 'extra' PPE.
Denplan patients don't pay the extra, go figure confused maybe it comes out of the monthly cost they may still be paying without any appointments or benefit.
HSE PPE regs very clear that employers can't charge for PPE.

PPE is not there just to protect the patient but the dentist and the nurse too.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/ppe.htm#:~:tex...

matrignano

4,699 posts

239 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
A1VDY said:
You 'made' someone sanitise your car??
Very surprised the guy didn't just tell you to f. o...
And what is unreasonable about that?

BertBert

21,258 posts

240 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
55palfers said:
HSE PPE regs very clear that employers can't charge for PPE.

PPE is not there just to protect the patient but the dentist and the nurse too.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/ppe.htm#:~:tex...
Completely unrelated. At least have half a brain to get the context of the thread. Clue is in the title "employers"

55palfers

6,368 posts

193 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
The dentist must provide PPE for their employees. He already has it so why try to chisel money out of his patients.

By the way, employers also have a duty of care towards non employees.

SECTION 3 HASWA https://www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/hswact/scopeapplica...

Terminator X

20,576 posts

233 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
Macofthereturn said:
This one defo has charges attached. Not wanting to sound petty but didn't get told until I was here.

They saying it's for extra supplies to clean and sanitize the car as well as the waiting area. Someone left and they didn't sanitize where he was sitting. If they didn't do that where else did they not do.
Overhead imho + I'd build it in to the markup so the customer sees no charge.

TX.

Solocle

4,196 posts

113 months

Wednesday 24th June 2020
quotequote all
55palfers said:
HSE PPE regs very clear that employers can't charge for PPE.

PPE is not there just to protect the patient but the dentist and the nurse too.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/ppe.htm#:~:tex...
Employers can't charge their employees.

Obviously, woolen mills can't pass along the increased cost of operation since the Victorian era, where they could get little kids to pick up dropped material, because 'elf and safety... rolleyes

Second Best

6,534 posts

210 months

Thursday 25th June 2020
quotequote all
My Jaguar went for a service last week, I was charged the agreed price (plus £2.86 for a knackered plug) and the car was sanitised for free. The dealer advised that instead of a free car wash, they were sanitising the interiors instead.

And also, rofl at demanding a car be sanitised. It's like asking an Uber driver to get the car fully cleaned before you'll accept the journey you requested.

megaphone

11,653 posts

280 months

Thursday 25th June 2020
quotequote all
My barber has 'had' to increase prices because of the extra costs of PPE.

edthefed

827 posts

96 months

Thursday 25th June 2020
quotequote all
SWMBO has just booked a hair appointmennnt at her not inexpensive salon.

They are adding £2 a customer...now there are a number of chairs so i reckon 20 customers a day is easy

£40 a day / £800 every 4 weeks

Oh and the pre covid complementary hot and cold drinks, biscuits and magazines are NOT being provided !