Repairs overcharge

[Archburner]

An engineer phoned to give me a quote on a repair of a faulty specialized drill which I sent him.He said it would be around �258. I thought it quite steep and told him I could buy a new lesser spec. one for that amount. He told me it would be under warranty for a year and genuine parts were not used in my faulty drill and he WOULD be using genuine parts. Imagine my shock when the bill came to �303 INCLUSIVE of VAT which I never heard him mention in the original estimate. He may well have done, but I genuinely can't remember. My contention is that the 1 yr warranty is useless because I've had the drill for nearly TWO years and this is the first time it's needed repairing. Now, if it's worked on non-genuine parts as he maintains for this amount of time, then it surely won't wear out in a year if repaired with genuine parts! I have actually repaired such drills in the past myself and all it involves is basically a new cartridge. Its as easy as changing a cartdridge in a printer. But the thing needed servicing etc. so sent it off. I've emailed him but as yet no reply.I've suggested that if the 1 yr warranty is reflected in the cost of repair then I do not want the warranty. I also mentioned I didn't hear VAT mentioned. Any one have any suggestions other than I'm a mug !

[Ethel]

It would be normal practice to quote without VAT, so I don't think you can validly use that as an argument.

It would be interesting to know how much the spare part(s) were.

I would not accept a repair without a warranty, to be honest.

How much would that drill cost new?

[Archburner]

I am sorry , I couldn't have put my long-winded argument over very well:
1.Specialized equipment needed repair
2.Was quoted �258.I thought that was sum total
3.It wasn't-it didn't include VAT so FINAL sum �303
4.I've repaired such drills myself and very simple to do so
5.Engineer said before repairs, genuine parts were not used when I bought drill new.
6.If it lasted 2 years with non-genuine parts, my argument is it will last a lot longer if he uses genuine parts, so one year warranty, to me, is worthless.
7.If cost of �303 worth of repairs includes warranty, I don't want warranty to reduce price. That's it.
I work with such drills everyday for the past 30 years and they are very, very durable. To an outsider, waiving warranty seems daft and I would agree if I didn't know what I was talking about.But, believe me, I believe this guy is trying to justify his high costs by saying genuine parts will be used and that the repair would carry a one year warranty. Basically, I think I am being ripped off. The end.

[Ethel]

I'm sorry you don't like your answers but it is standard practice to quote without VAT.

You accepted the quote, the work was done, you have been billed correctly.,

You can ask him for a reduction in the bill if he takes the warranty off, but he is not legally obliged to: you are trying to change the terms and conditions after the contract between you has been agreed.

[factor-fiction]

The abuse to Ethel is wholly inappropriate. And I've read your posting and I can't see where you said how much an equivalent new drill costs.

[Jugglering]

If you've repaired such drills yourself in the past, then why bother getting quotes from others ??

Ethel and In A Pickle both give very good answers here and are very well respected, so leave off the dissing if you don't agree with their responses.

[bednobs]

sorry, i am still abit confused - has the drill been repaired before? if not i dont understand the significance of the fact you had " non genuine parts" before. If you buy a black and decker drill, it is made with black and decker parts isn't it? same with more expensive drills isnt it?
If the drill has been repaired before, with non genuine parts, is this repair covered on a warranty?

[MrBen5]

Hmmm, Archburner, your obviously very upset, as you feel you have been ripped off big time.
The people on here are only trying to help you with what info they read from your questions.
You say you have repaired drills before, so i take it you must have some experience this sort of field.
As Ethel says above, places do quote without VAT, but most always say what the total cost will be.
If in doubt, you should always ask, especially on something that expensive...

[Skyline D]

I don't know why you bother either archburner. You certainly are not interested in listening to a reasoned answer if it doesn't happen to say what you want it to say.

Here's a couple of facts (that you won't read presumably):

1 - Unless you SPECIFICALLY asked for a VAT inclusive price it would be normal practice to quote a price before VAT. Indeed if the drill is as specialised as you make out it would be pretty unusual I would have thought for the person requiring its repair not to be a business that can recover VAT anyway.

2 - A warranty, presuming it's self issued by the person who carried out the repair, costs absolutely nothing. It's a guarantee that the repair will be effective. Why would you NOT want it? There certainly won't be a financial saving in not including it.


I don't especially understand, despite your several lengthy answers, why, if you have repaired such drills in the past yourself, you didn't reapir this one yourself instead of getting someone else to do it anyway?