What is the law on unathorised repairs/work carried out?
Discussion
I dropped my watch at the place I bought if from for a repair and asked them to service it while it was in.
However, I said before anything was done I would like a quote as to how much it would cost.
As the work was to be done by the manufacturers workshop the retailer could not give me an estimate there and then.
The assistant gave me a receipt and in the instructions part they wrote:
'Estimate to put bezel back on, and service with new battery' sic
I rang them this morning to see if they had recieved an estimate and they told me the watch was back and the work had been carried out and it would be around £250.
No-one has been in touch since I dropped it off on 15/11 last year and needless to say I was expecting an estimate first.
I'm not particullay bothered about the bill, but I know (after reading the watch forum) theres a place local to me who could have done it for a fraction of the cost, the battery and service didn't really need doing.
I was going to pop in to collect it this afternoon but I was hoping for some pointers as to where I stand legally.
Thanks in advnace.
However, I said before anything was done I would like a quote as to how much it would cost.
As the work was to be done by the manufacturers workshop the retailer could not give me an estimate there and then.
The assistant gave me a receipt and in the instructions part they wrote:
'Estimate to put bezel back on, and service with new battery' sic
I rang them this morning to see if they had recieved an estimate and they told me the watch was back and the work had been carried out and it would be around £250.
No-one has been in touch since I dropped it off on 15/11 last year and needless to say I was expecting an estimate first.
I'm not particullay bothered about the bill, but I know (after reading the watch forum) theres a place local to me who could have done it for a fraction of the cost, the battery and service didn't really need doing.
I was going to pop in to collect it this afternoon but I was hoping for some pointers as to where I stand legally.
Thanks in advnace.
Dunno about the legal stuff but IMO if you asked for an estimate and they went ahead and repaired it without your approval/consent, you can demand they return it to its original condition. I would expect however that you will be liable for 'time and labour' charges.
As you say you are not bothered about the money, one must ask then why all the fuss? Were you going to throw the watch away if the estimate was over and above what you thought it would be?
As you say you are not bothered about the money, one must ask then why all the fuss? Were you going to throw the watch away if the estimate was over and above what you thought it would be?
Yeah I thought id read something similar. It may be a bit difficult as its been polished.
When i say the cash isnt a problem i don't see the point in paying 250 when a bloke in irlam said he charges 40 for the service and would secure the bezel for free.
I havent seen the watch bt by the bill i'm guessing they've put in a new bezel.
When i say the cash isnt a problem i don't see the point in paying 250 when a bloke in irlam said he charges 40 for the service and would secure the bezel for free.
I havent seen the watch bt by the bill i'm guessing they've put in a new bezel.
Whilst they were apparently in the wrong by going ahead without sending you a quote first, I'd agree with the previous comment; if you're not bothered about the cost, I'd be inclined to just have a polite word with them when you collect the watch. That way, you're much more likely to make an impact on them rather than quoting various legal stuff.
After all, it may simply be that going ahead was a simple misunderstanding: It's done so can't really be easily put back to how it was beforehand.
A decent approach might even get you an apology and some discount/credit and - to be honest - you'll probably feel better than having a blazing row!
After all, it may simply be that going ahead was a simple misunderstanding: It's done so can't really be easily put back to how it was beforehand.
A decent approach might even get you an apology and some discount/credit and - to be honest - you'll probably feel better than having a blazing row!
vincenz said:
Yeah I thought id read something similar. It may be a bit difficult as its been polished.
When i say the cash isnt a problem i don't see the point in paying 250 when a bloke in irlam said he charges 40 for the service and would secure the bezel for free.
I havent seen the watch bt by the bill i'm guessing they've put in a new bezel.
TBH it doesn't sound like the type of watch you want 'just anybody' repairing...if someone attempted to charge me 250 notes for repairing my nondescript timepiece I would tell 'em to keep it and put another £1 in the machine I got the watch out of!When i say the cash isnt a problem i don't see the point in paying 250 when a bloke in irlam said he charges 40 for the service and would secure the bezel for free.
I havent seen the watch bt by the bill i'm guessing they've put in a new bezel.
A watch with a repair tag of £250 sounds like the type you are better off letting the manufacturer repair ..IMHO of course.
From a legal point of view you are on good ground.
I am guessing that your contract is with the shop - that is you would be paying them, not the manufacturer?
What they have written is not what you have asked for, what they should have written was:
Estimate for bezel repair, battery and service.
However, your quote of what they wrote taken literally is telling them something different!
Legally there is no contract between you apart from coming back with the estimate. However, in practical terms they could resolve this by putting it back to its original state - if possible.
I would suggest a course of action would be to go to the other place and ask for a written quote for the battery and service. Armed with that, then go to the shop and reassert that you never asked them to complete the work only provide an estimate to that you could weight up your options.
Then, put the ball in their court - either return the watch to its original state - so that you can get the service and battery done elsewhere, or accept that you will only pay what you would have paid elsewhere (cue getting quote from pocket).
That stance is legally defensible should things be taken further and secondly effectively puts the ball in their court under your terms.
I am guessing that your contract is with the shop - that is you would be paying them, not the manufacturer?
What they have written is not what you have asked for, what they should have written was:
Estimate for bezel repair, battery and service.
However, your quote of what they wrote taken literally is telling them something different!
Legally there is no contract between you apart from coming back with the estimate. However, in practical terms they could resolve this by putting it back to its original state - if possible.
I would suggest a course of action would be to go to the other place and ask for a written quote for the battery and service. Armed with that, then go to the shop and reassert that you never asked them to complete the work only provide an estimate to that you could weight up your options.
Then, put the ball in their court - either return the watch to its original state - so that you can get the service and battery done elsewhere, or accept that you will only pay what you would have paid elsewhere (cue getting quote from pocket).
That stance is legally defensible should things be taken further and secondly effectively puts the ball in their court under your terms.
In addition to the above, as oldsoak has pointed out, the other hand is you get what you pay for.
I live near Irlam and wouldnt take expensive things to the high street there, let alone leave them with someone!
If the repair is £250 then the watch must be worth over £1000, I might bite my lip on this one. That said my above advice will also work.
I live near Irlam and wouldnt take expensive things to the high street there, let alone leave them with someone!
If the repair is £250 then the watch must be worth over £1000, I might bite my lip on this one. That said my above advice will also work.
7db said:
Exactly what JustinP1 said above. That's spot on. Not bad for a red light runner.
I am a devious sod with an innocent face I guess!And, I honestly was innocent that day too!
Good news about the outcome of this thread - I am out looking for the OP's BMW 325 to pin the invoice to now!
Although in saying that, as he is afflicted already by living in Warrington (as am I) I will let it go this time...
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