£144 per hour for non emergency plumber
Discussion
Joe M said:
Have you informed the debt collectors the bill is in dispute? It was mentioned earlier in the thread this could be a good course of action, and it is also mentioned in the debt collectors letter.
The op has already written to the plumbing firm in some detail. I can see what you’re saying but on balance I would ignore the debt collector letter.mangos said:
I checked the plumbing company on companies house today.
Says they were incorporated last year and there have been no name changes and there is no link to the director to any other active or dissolved businesses.
I have found articles fo the company being active in 2015, and also his own Linkedin profile says he has been running the business since 1996
Owner
IGM Plumbing Heating & Drainage
March 1996 – Present (22 years 4 months)Harpenden
We are a local family run business based in Harpenden and have been established since 1996. We have been taking care of our clients Plumbing, Heating & Drainage needs along with Power Flushing, Bathroom Design and Installations, Solar Panel Designed, Repaired and Installation.
We offer a Fibre Optic Camera service which is a non evasive way to trace leaks or hard to find areas such as behind boilers and cylinders.
Anybody can buy a £15 endoscope off ebay to "trace leaks". It's a bit different to have trained techs in trace and access and thermal imaging.Says they were incorporated last year and there have been no name changes and there is no link to the director to any other active or dissolved businesses.
I have found articles fo the company being active in 2015, and also his own Linkedin profile says he has been running the business since 1996
Owner
IGM Plumbing Heating & Drainage
March 1996 – Present (22 years 4 months)Harpenden
We are a local family run business based in Harpenden and have been established since 1996. We have been taking care of our clients Plumbing, Heating & Drainage needs along with Power Flushing, Bathroom Design and Installations, Solar Panel Designed, Repaired and Installation.
We offer a Fibre Optic Camera service which is a non evasive way to trace leaks or hard to find areas such as behind boilers and cylinders.
I have read the whole thread and I cant see anyone (maybe I missed it) mention how your contract was formed?
This will be the basis for the small claim case.
We know what work was done, minimal. We know what you were charged. It seems to be disproportional but what was *actually* agreed?
How was it agreed, when was it agreed. (email, phone, in person?)
Did you sign anything?
Until we have this detail its difficult to know how this might pan out or give advice on how to move forward.
This will be the basis for the small claim case.
We know what work was done, minimal. We know what you were charged. It seems to be disproportional but what was *actually* agreed?
How was it agreed, when was it agreed. (email, phone, in person?)
Did you sign anything?
Until we have this detail its difficult to know how this might pan out or give advice on how to move forward.
Good luck OP
The only thing I can add would be that if they did come round or if you did feel threatened in any way, report it to the Police to get a case number. You have a small child after all.
That way any subsequent conversations with Plod (God forbid) are easier and there is a record of your concerns over a period of time.
The only thing I can add would be that if they did come round or if you did feel threatened in any way, report it to the Police to get a case number. You have a small child after all.
That way any subsequent conversations with Plod (God forbid) are easier and there is a record of your concerns over a period of time.
I'd write the following to the debt agency.
This invoice is in dispute. The plumber was made aware of this in an email dated xxxxx.
Given that the plumber has ignored my communication (and subsequently instructed you) , it would be appreciated if:
1-you explain to the plumber that this invoice is in dispite. That the best way for him to resolve our issue would be for him to respond to my communication dated xxxx.
2-you reply to me acknowledging the dispute, commit to disist from initiating legal proceedings until at least myself and the plumber have exhausted dispute resolution as per his T&Cs.
These would a productive and useful steps for you to take. Does this seem reasonable? Are you able to assist on both items?
This invoice is in dispute. The plumber was made aware of this in an email dated xxxxx.
Given that the plumber has ignored my communication (and subsequently instructed you) , it would be appreciated if:
1-you explain to the plumber that this invoice is in dispite. That the best way for him to resolve our issue would be for him to respond to my communication dated xxxx.
2-you reply to me acknowledging the dispute, commit to disist from initiating legal proceedings until at least myself and the plumber have exhausted dispute resolution as per his T&Cs.
These would a productive and useful steps for you to take. Does this seem reasonable? Are you able to assist on both items?
OP, the reason for the above is that IMO you should formally let the DCA know that this is in dispute, or they'll just continue to escalate, creating unecessary stress on you.
I would anticipate they'll start threatening libel etc.... I can't imagine this goes anywhere, save if you made your comment up about bad reviews, that would be a bit naughty to me, but if you posted say 3 links to reviews you describing 'unscrupulous' behavioir, then your post is 100% factual.
They will use the libellous threat as leverage, but its a distinct issue, do not let them conflate the debt and libelous claim. In fact, I'd be proactive and head that off so they know you're serious...
I would anticipate they'll start threatening libel etc.... I can't imagine this goes anywhere, save if you made your comment up about bad reviews, that would be a bit naughty to me, but if you posted say 3 links to reviews you describing 'unscrupulous' behavioir, then your post is 100% factual.
They will use the libellous threat as leverage, but its a distinct issue, do not let them conflate the debt and libelous claim. In fact, I'd be proactive and head that off so they know you're serious...
I would also include that it is unreasonable to commence debt recovery within 1 month of the date of the invoice.
I would add the County Court often take a dim view of cases which are brought to the Court in short order and the Court will probably throw it out on this basis alone as you have not had reasonable time to take advice and take steps for mediation etc.
I would add the County Court often take a dim view of cases which are brought to the Court in short order and the Court will probably throw it out on this basis alone as you have not had reasonable time to take advice and take steps for mediation etc.
Re second letter all it says is, 'it has come to our attention that'..
I'd write under seperate cover to that letter something like the following.
...
Thank you for bringing your concern to my attention.
I am quite unable to work out what I have posted that could illicit this reaction from you. Could you explicitly outline your complaint?
As per your request, I have responded to the debt collection issue under sepreate cover.
blah
I'd write under seperate cover to that letter something like the following.
...
Thank you for bringing your concern to my attention.
I am quite unable to work out what I have posted that could illicit this reaction from you. Could you explicitly outline your complaint?
As per your request, I have responded to the debt collection issue under sepreate cover.
blah
Alucidnation said:
f
king hell.
I'd just offer them fifty quid and be done with it.
I wouldn’t. That would encourage the company to continue providing a poor service and then using bully-boy tactics to intimidate customers into paying. AFAICS it’s verging on a scam. Well done to the OP for sticking by his principles.king hell.I'd just offer them fifty quid and be done with it.
stuthe said:
said: I'd write the following to the debt agency.
This invoice is in dispute. The plumber was made aware of this in an email dated xxxxx.
Given that the plumber has ignored my communication (and subsequently instructed you) , it would be appreciated if:
1-you explain to the plumber that this invoice is in dispite. That the best way for him to resolve our issue would be for him to respond to my communication dated xxxx.
2-you reply to me acknowledging the dispute, commit to disist from initiating legal proceedings until at least myself and the plumber have exhausted dispute resolution as per his T&Cs.
These would a productive and useful steps for you to take. Does this seem reasonable? Are you able to assist on both items?
Thank you. Will do this. This invoice is in dispute. The plumber was made aware of this in an email dated xxxxx.
Given that the plumber has ignored my communication (and subsequently instructed you) , it would be appreciated if:
1-you explain to the plumber that this invoice is in dispite. That the best way for him to resolve our issue would be for him to respond to my communication dated xxxx.
2-you reply to me acknowledging the dispute, commit to disist from initiating legal proceedings until at least myself and the plumber have exhausted dispute resolution as per his T&Cs.
These would a productive and useful steps for you to take. Does this seem reasonable? Are you able to assist on both items?
Is it something I can submit to them via email or am I best to send recorded letters at this point?
I will treat the second letter separately and respond accordingly
Alucidnation said:
fking hell.
I'd just offer them fifty quid and be done with it.
I think I would have done if they’d accepted any form of commincation with me just so it could have gone away. king hell.I'd just offer them fifty quid and be done with it.
Alas, they ignored every attempt for me to negotiate.
Plus they have had £42 which is more than enough for the trouble they have caused now
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff