Power Flush - Indication of Cost Please

[Agile]

To replace a system pump we would charge £84 + £60 for the pump if it could be replaced by closing the pump valves.

Thats not always possible so another £60 to drain and refill plus £12 to fit new pump valves so its easy next time.

Power flushing about £350.

Of course larger firms have higher overheads, particularly if they have staffed business premises you can visit. So I can understand a larger bill but not as large as they charged you.

Its rare for engineers to overcharge but more common for customers to try to rip us off! Yesterday as a favour to a customer I agreed to go to his friend to confirm what was wrong with his boiler. I identified the fault and told him it would be £171 to fit a new diverter valve. The owner said he did not have that. The previous customer called me this morning to "offer" £150. I explained we quote reasonable prices but dont negotiate on them as that would be unfair to our regular customers.

So he has taken us for the £84 diagnostic fee we charge and he will probably get a local to do it for £100 now. He is an Estate Agent from the ........... continent so I should have been less inclined to be helpful.

Tony

 

[bengasman]

...So he has taken us for the £84 diagnostic fee we charge and he will probably get a local to do it for £100 now. He is an Estate Agent from the ........... continent so I should have been less inclined to be helpful.

Tony

Surprise, surprise.

 

[MrsWenger]

Hi Guys,

I am certain that there are many occasions when customers try to negotiate discounts or go to another engineer for just a few pounds difference and i appreciate how frustrating this is.

From a customer perspective, it is entirely the actions of someone like the guy we were using that leads customers to be wary and, in effect, waste the time of decent guys by felling the best option is to shop around.

Not entirely sure what the best answer for both parties is; perhaps just to make telephone calls and ask for indiciative prices from a customer perspective and for you good guys to be in a position to give that without the need to visit many jobs that you may not get.

We are definitely not the types to trade one off against another for a few pounds and have tried to be loyal to those who have done work for us over time.

Definitely not tarnishing the reputation of all companies just feel that we have been bitten painfully by one guy and will need to be getting indiciative prices before agreeing for work to proceed in future.

Best wishes,

Tracey

 

[bengasman]

It's often impossible to give a price without seeing the job, as the customer usually does not know what the problem is.
I don't mind people shopping around, as long as they tell me from the word go. What I do mind is people calling me with the question: "Can you repair my boiler, and if so, when can you do it?" and THEN tell me: "I'll think about it."
They tend to get very upset when I present them a £85 bill for diagnosis.

C: "You never said you would charge for just looking at the boiler!!"
B: "That's because you asked me to come and repair it. If you had told me you would like me to come over, find the fault and tell you exactly what it is so you can find somebody to do it cheaper, I would have told you I charge a diagnostic fee if you go to somebody else for the repair."

Unfortunately it is usually the good that suffer for the bad.

 

[jay1]

did they put a magnaclean in?

Hi Jay1,

No mention of that on the invoice so i think Kev's reply summarizes it! Is that something which is usually fitted?

Thanks

Tracey

that price is highly extorianate and i assumed that the least they may have done was put a magnaclean in, as bengasman said it is something that i would put in also to keep the system clean and trap any remaining dirt.

 

[MrsWenger]

that price is highly extorianate and i assumed that the least they may have done was put a magnaclean in, as bengasman said it is something that i would put in also to keep the system clean and trap any remaining dirt.[/quote]

Hi Jay1, i think my next actions have been decided by all of you guys that have been kind enough to offer me your opinions and details of costs.

I will write to the guy including a cheque for what the job should have cost and see what happens. I will also put him on the radar of Trading Standards and, once this is resolved, post details of the guy on here so hopefully others will at least have the chance to ensure they exercise caution should they decide to ask him to quote for tasks.

Thanks very much to you all; it is apparent that i have just been unlucky and encountered a rogue.

Best wishes,

Tracey

 

[Agile]

Be aware that serious overcharging is pretty rare. I used to hear of several cases in London every year but now its two years since the last.

I suspect in your case they rather overcharged for the pump and then thought they could get away with it again on the power flush.

Of course you did not properly check the price before they started.

Because we are reasonably priced it worries me when people dont ask first because it implies they dont care how much they pay.

Tony

 

[MrsWenger]

Be aware that serious overcharging is pretty rare. I used to hear of several cases in London every year but now its two years since the last.

I suspect in your case they rather overcharged for the pump and then thought they could get away with it again on the power flush.

Of course you did not properly check the price before they started.

Because we are reasonably priced it worries me when people dont ask first because it implies they dont care how much they pay.

Tony

Hi Tony,

Perhaps those that still overcharge do so as they do not get as much work as those who are competitive. Bit of a chicken and egg thing...

Possibly so but i am confident that the same will not apply in future! What is interesting is that the guy is absolutely adament that his prices are fair and reasonable and he simply will not believe that others are charging far less for the tasks.

As i said, we genuinely trusted the guy as we had dealt with him for several years prior to the pump failing and had always considered the price to be reasonable even though it was for routine servicing.

An interesting point you make; i shall definitely be asking for an indicative cost of all specialists in future.

Thanks very much for sharing your opinions; it is much appreciated.

Best wishes,

Tracey