'Paid under protest'

[Maxf]

I had some work done and the verbal quote ended up being doubled without my knowledge, for no reason. I found out what the revised amount was and stopped the work (now completed somewhere else) but obviously it was partially completed so I owe the company in question some money.

Today they sent me an invoice which I clearly have to pay, and chalk up 'verbal quotes' as a lesson learned.

My question: I seem to remember reading that a payment could be marked 'paid under protest' or something. I am going to send the company a stty letter with my cheque telling them what I think of their business practices (I think they deliberately underquote, although they are hiding behind language barriers). Is there anything else I can do so my complaint is recognised and not just filed in the bin?

[Boosted LS1]

You want to make sure that it's under protest so that you can defend your position if they decide to sue you for any balances. I'd write 'paid under duress or protest' onto the invoice and send it back along with the payment. Maybe send a letter with the cheque recorded delivery and keep a copy for your records.

[Maxf]

Boosted LS1 said:

You want to make sure that it's under protest so that you can defend your position if they decide to sue you for any balances. I'd write 'paid under duress or protest' onto the invoice and send it back along with the payment. Maybe send a letter with the cheque recorded delivery and keep a copy for your records.

I'm paying the full amount they have requested, so they wouldnt have cause to take me to court for any balances. I guess I'll just send the stty letter with it...

[Boosted LS1]

I see. Well if you just want them to acknowledge the complaint then make sure the head honcho gets it or delay payment and wait until they make a fuss. then you'll have their attention and can tell them what you think of them. Are they members of a trade organisation?

[singlecoil]

Maxf said:

I, although they are hiding behind language barriers).

Hmmm, interesting. Dare I risk guessing the ethnic background of the people in question? Perhaps I better hadn't risk it, as I might be seen as being racist.

Anyway, pay them the agreed amount and not a penny more.

[Maxf]

Its actually a dentist. I needed root canal treatment which after x-rays they said would be £450-500 - fine says I, lets crack on....

So, I go for the first of 2 appointments. This costs £200 (this is the invoice in question), and they then wanted another £600-800 to finish the job.

Nothing had changed since the first quote and they put it down to the dentist being eastern european and a mix up in communications/adding up. The practice advertises RC treatment at 'from £295' so, £500 for a small tooth didnt seem super cheap or an obvious error or I'd have questioned it.

I had it finished off somewhere else for £300 (although they told me they'd only have charged £60 for the first bit).

My fault for not getting it in writing but I think they should know that their dentist(s) is giving out bad information prior to starting work, which then places you in a difficult position once the work has commenced!

[singlecoil]

Maxf said:

Nothing had changed since the first quote and they put it down to the dentist being eastern european and a mix up in communications/adding up.

So how is that your problem? Sound to my like it's their problem. Just pay what you agreed to. Nothing like a lesson that costs them money to stop them doing it again, unless they do it all the time that is, in which case, don't be one of the mugs

[Maxf]

singlecoil said:

Maxf said:

Nothing had changed since the first quote and they put it down to the dentist being eastern european and a mix up in communications/adding up.

So how is that your problem? Sound to my like it's their problem. Just pay what you agreed to. Nothing like a lesson that costs them money to stop them doing it again, unless they do it all the time that is, in which case, don't be one of the mugs

It would be a nightmare, as the verbal quote was all-in, but I finished after I twigged the first installment meant the quote was going to be well under (they confirmed this when I questioned it further).

TBH I work 30 secs away from them, and have told virtually everyone I know at work not to use them so they have lost out on a good number of patients through my personal naming and shaming

[singlecoil]

Maxf said:

singlecoil said:

Maxf said:

Nothing had changed since the first quote and they put it down to the dentist being eastern european and a mix up in communications/adding up.

So how is that your problem? Sound to my like it's their problem. Just pay what you agreed to. Nothing like a lesson that costs them money to stop them doing it again, unless they do it all the time that is, in which case, don't be one of the mugs

It would be a nightmare, as the verbal quote was all-in, but I finished after I twigged the first installment meant the quote was going to be well under (they confirmed this when I questioned it further).

TBH I work 30 secs away from them, and have told virtually everyone I know at work not to use them so they have lost out on a good number of patients through my personal naming and shaming

There is a school of thought that if you should do things with a good grace, or not at all. In this case that would seem to suggest paying without further comment, or not paying. With what you have just said, the first option would seem the right one

[Simpo Two]

singlecoil said:

There is a school of thought that if you should do things with a good grace, or not at all. In this case that would seem to suggest paying without further comment, or not paying. With what you have just said, the first option would seem the right one

Or pay what it's worth. If somebody tells me a job will cost £500, then tries to charge me £800 without advising of the extra in good time and getting it approved, they can sing for it.

[Andrew[MG]]

Simpo Two said:

singlecoil said:

There is a school of thought that if you should do things with a good grace, or not at all. In this case that would seem to suggest paying without further comment, or not paying. With what you have just said, the first option would seem the right one

Or pay what it's worth. If somebody tells me a job will cost £500, then tries to charge me £800 without advising of the extra in good time and getting it approved, they can sing for it.

+1

Has happened to me before. "We had to come back a second day becuase we didn't have the materials. That's going to be charged as two days." <----tough luck sunshine, take one days rate and be on your way....

[ACEparts_com]

Andrew[MG] said:

Simpo Two said:

singlecoil said:

There is a school of thought that if you should do things with a good grace, or not at all. In this case that would seem to suggest paying without further comment, or not paying. With what you have just said, the first option would seem the right one

Or pay what it's worth. If somebody tells me a job will cost £500, then tries to charge me £800 without advising of the extra in good time and getting it approved, they can sing for it.

+1

Has happened to me before. "We had to come back a second day becuase we didn't have the materials. That's going to be charged as two days." <----tough luck sunshine, take one days rate and be on your way....

+2

Happened to me but by a team of solicitors. I told them to accept what the said it would cost or have sweet didly. They accepted the first offer. As soon as you pay the full amount the letter will go in the bin with all the others.
You're highlighting one of the problems with complaining in the UK; retrospective complaints are meaningless. Go for the jugular!

[singlecoil]

ACEparts_com said:

Andrew[MG] said:

Simpo Two said:

singlecoil said:

There is a school of thought that if you should do things with a good grace, or not at all. In this case that would seem to suggest paying without further comment, or not paying. With what you have just said, the first option would seem the right one

Or pay what it's worth. If somebody tells me a job will cost £500, then tries to charge me £800 without advising of the extra in good time and getting it approved, they can sing for it.

+1

Has happened to me before. "We had to come back a second day becuase we didn't have the materials. That's going to be charged as two days." <----tough luck sunshine, take one days rate and be on your way....

+2

Happened to me but by a team of solicitors. I told them to accept what the said it would cost or have sweet didly. They accepted the first offer. As soon as you pay the full amount the letter will go in the bin with all the others.
You're highlighting one of the problems with complaining in the UK; retrospective complaints are meaningless. Go for the jugular!

Well that is what I said earlier, it was the OP that seems to be insisting on paying. I was indicating that if he was going to pay what they asked then he should do so with a good grace