Covid charges

[Macofthereturn]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 maybe it comes out of the monthly cost they may still be paying without any appointments or benefit.

[matrignano]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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...

[Second Best]

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, 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]

My barber has 'had' to increase prices because of the extra costs of PPE.

[edthefed]

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 !