Do I pay the plumber?

No:1 Final Fantasy Fan wrote:I have a broken bathroom shower mixer tap after moving into a new flat so I called a plumber. On the phone, I told them that the water pressure is low so the tap probably needs changing.

The lady said that is fine as their plumbers will come to see it and if a new tap is needed they will have it in their van or they will source one locally to ensure it is fixed on the day. I asked how much would I be charged whilst the plumber goes out to get a tap and she said an hour. I was like fine ok.

The next day the plumber arrived, I had my sister go over as I was at work and she only lives 5 minutes away. The plumber just told my sister it needed replacing but he didn't have one and he also doesn't go about sourcing one.

Next thing I know I get billed £90 for this visit and no work was done. They also sent me a quote for doing it. I argued the above and they still said I need to pay it (this was over email).

So I rang up and they said tbh if you ask us to go ahead with the job then it would be no different to us going out to source it. Hence this £90 won't mean I am out of pocket. But they did say they will investigate and speak to the plumber on Monday to find out why he didn't go out to source a tap there and then.

However, I think they will go ahead and charge me now as they took my credit card details when I made the initial booking. I have so far frozen my card via online banking. But I don't want to have to do this as I want them to come to a mutual agreement with me that they are at fault for promising me A and giving me nothing.

What should I do? It is reasonable for me to continue arguing my case or just pay them £90?

Thanks

Ad7 wrote:TBH i agree with that (mostly)

I used to get it a lot freelance designing, people just expect you to do things for free. It's my strawberry floating job.

Ad7 wrote:TBH i agree with that (mostly)

I used to get it a lot freelance designing, people just expect you to do things for free. It's my strawberry floating job.

rinks wrote:He probably heard you don’t like getting wet.

SugarCubes wrote:Tell them to go and get strawberry floated, those mixer taps have a cartridge inside that probably needs replacing if the pipe pressure is ok. Look for a screw on the tap and remove the cartridge, clean and check it, if it's broke take it to Screwfix for a replacement, they cost less than £10. Is this a sudden loss of pressure or has it always been like it since you moved in? If it's the latter have you checked if the stop valve in the bathroom is fully open?

Meep wrote:That's what it costs these days? So glad I get mate's rates for this stuff.

Mommy wrote:Didnt you get the plumbing checked when you moved in? Gas cert? Electric check?

SugarCubes wrote:Tell them to go and get strawberry floated, those mixer taps have a cartridge inside that probably needs replacing if the pipe pressure is ok. Look for a screw on the tap and remove the cartridge, clean and check it, if it's broke take it to Screwfix for a replacement, they cost less than £10. Is this a sudden loss of pressure or has it always been like it since you moved in? If it's the latter have you checked if the stop valve in the bathroom is fully open?

Moggy wrote:Just saw this on Facebook and thought of this thread.

Make u think hun xxx

No:1 Final Fantasy Fan wrote:Thanks for all the replies peeps!

Their website (tdorr.co.uk) says no call out charges and I was just charged for labour. The cheeky gits even said to me that it was supposed to be a minimum 2-hour charge but out of goodwill they reduced that charge.

Mommy wrote:Didnt you get the plumbing checked when you moved in? Gas cert? Electric check?

Nope, first time buyer I didn't have the experience to check all this :/ dohhh

SugarCubes wrote:Tell them to go and get strawberry floated, those mixer taps have a cartridge inside that probably needs replacing if the pipe pressure is ok. Look for a screw on the tap and remove the cartridge, clean and check it, if it's broke take it to Screwfix for a replacement, they cost less than £10. Is this a sudden loss of pressure or has it always been like it since you moved in? If it's the latter have you checked if the stop valve in the bathroom is fully open?

Thanks for this! Very useful to know. Well I bought my own shower mixer tap and someone is coming to fit it tomorrow now.

Moggy wrote:Just saw this on Facebook and thought of this thread.

Make u think hun xxx

I didn't call a self-employed tradesman though. This is a plumbing company. Anyway I know I am in the right here as they missold a service to me.

mic wrote:DON’T PAY - if you haven’t paid already and they haven’t done any work then you don’t owe them anything!

Jenuall wrote:Try not to go overboard though as you may end up taking on more than you can swallow.