Feeling ripped off

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bluebaron

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maybe a little of topic but use this forum a lot and was hoping for some advice.

I'm away from home as the moment and my wife gets locked out. She basically does all the wrong things and calls the first locksmith on Google doesn't even ask about price and a guy turns up 40 mins later.

He's there 20 mins drills lock out and fits new night latch barrel.

Here's the rub! He charges £440! No receipt but the breakdown is £220 labour and call out (8pm midweek), and £220 for new lock.

She obviously feeling a bit sick about it and paid debit card. I'm Happy to compromise and to pay the £220 for his 90 mins of time including commute even if it is way over the top. I would like to return the lock and fit a new one myself when I get home.

Do you think I have any recourse here or do I just need to bend over and take it?

Thanks for advice.
 
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220 for the barrel seems excessive unless its something exotic that's been fitted, or its been keyed to other existing locks or something?
 
Was a standard over the counter Yale lock from screw fix. Whole thing cost around £30. Haven't seen it yet as still away til tomorrow.

Was hoping to end it back to him saying wasn't happy with it and put a new lock on myself.
 
I can't see any way you can argue out of the contract. He offered services and materials for a price that you agreed to. He delivered the services and as long as they aren't defective, he's done his end of the contract. There really isn't any legal recourse here, the law doesn't stop you making a bad deal.
 
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Guess so however no price was agreed or discussed beforehand(blame the wife). So in any transaction you should be able to expecta reasonable bill unfortunately she paid up. I would have refused and negotiated but bit late now.

She said the guy was huge and it was getting late etc felt very intimidated and pressured to pay immediately.
 
if he's a member of any trade association, you could do some research to see if they have published rates. Or try rogue traders, trading standards etc..
Every once in a while we get ripped off, it doesn't feel good, but we learn a lesson.
 
No you bloody well don't !!!

In a nutshell you should have been given your cancellation rights ...you have the right to change your mind and get your money back even in an emergency call out situation. You can demand your money back, contact trading standards. You've been ripped off

https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/busine...idance-cancellation-rights-consumer-contracts

He's broken the law. End off.

Not many people and a lot of tradesmen are unaware of the cancellation RIGHTS legislation, you've been ripped off and I don't know if it's coming across but I'm angry for you !!!!!!
 
motorbiking said:
I can't see any way you can argue out of the contract. He offered services and materials for a price that you agreed to. He delivered the services and as long as they aren't defective, he's done his end of the contract. There really isn't any legal recourse here, the law doesn't stop you making a bad deal.
Click to expand...

Sorry mate you're in error .....
 
I'm pretty sure we've been here before on another thread:
1. Its a services contract - specifically emergency maintenance and repair
2. The work was completed
3. she paid after without protest

He should have given her a receipt though.. but did she ask for one?

As I said earlier there is no legislation protecting you from making a bad deal. That doesn't mean you can't try it on to get some money back

PS here's the proper link http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/3134/contents/made
 
Last edited:
Every tradesman should be aware of a customers right to cancel and how easy it is to prevent them when you are carrying out emergency repairs.

Note that consumers can’t waive their right to cancel (although they may choose not to exercise this right), but they can ask you to deliver the service or product before the 14 day cancellation period has expired. If this happens, you’ll need to gain their explicit consent and explain that if they later decide to cancel, they must still pay for any goods or services received up to the cancellation point. Off-premise traders must provide this information in a durable medium (see above).

As previously, some contract types aren’t subject to these cancellation rights. They include orders for bespoke or customised goods, products that arrive sealed for health and hygiene reasons, service contracts that have been fulfilled, and requests to traders to carry out emergency household repairs.
Click to expand...
 
From the document you posted

"If the service is provided in full within 14 days The right to cancel can be lost during the cancellation period if the service is provided in full before the 14 days elapses."

"If you request a service starts straightaway In this instance you will still have the right to cancel, but you must pay for the value of the service that is provided up to the point you cancel."

"Exemptions There are some contracts where you won’t have a right to cancel a service. For example, hotel bookings, flights, car hire, concerts and other event tickets, or where the trader is carrying out urgent repairs or maintenance."
 
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