topic Re: When should we pay? in Community Spirit

When should we pay?

banoras — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 06:49:46 GMT

In February, 2013 our neighbour's pool pump was submerged after lots of rain. It was the first big downpour since pool installed.

He called a plumber, and asked if we minded the plumber coming on to our property and also checking our drainage outlets for any blockages, as ground/roof water off our property may have been adding to the problem.

No problem with us, gave permission. There was a blockage which he fixed. The neighbour also had drainage problems, and combined (us and the neighbour) probably caused the pool pump damage. (which actually dried out OK and was going again without damage)

We did ask the plumber to come back and do a simple job for us, preferably before end of May 2013.(that was to suit him, as he said his son, who worked for him, was leaving) We wanted an account for the work just done, but he said "wait until I come back". He didn't give any indication of the cost of the work just done. It was about 1/2 hour labour x 2 (he and his son) plus use of vibrator thing to locate the blockage, 10mins vibrator.

The neighbour got his bill soon after though.

He never came back to our house. Earlier this month, Sept, six months later, we finally got an account for $374, and addressed with wrong surname, because he never bothered to actually take our particulars. Must have asked neighbour our name, and he's got it wrong.

Because the account took six months to arrive, we had not budgeted for it, and so immediately paid $74, and asked if we could have six months to pay the balance...ie $50/month.

We were told that that accounts are 7days terms only, and interest would be charged. We have been asked to pay $100/month for next 3 months, and if not, the account will be sent straight to a debt collector, after which we will be required to pay extra fees for the debt collector + interest.

Would like to know our rights in this matter, CS posters are usually right up with this sort of thing.

We have always paid our bills right on the dot, or before, but this time we're feeling just a tad bullied.

Re: When should we pay?

id-to-post-anything — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:11:28 GMT

I think he has the utmost cheek!

I would be calling Fair Trading ASAP

Re: When should we pay?

*ibis — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:14:00 GMT

just say 50 a month, take it or leave it

if you wanted to stiff him it doesnt sound like he has a leg to stand on anyway. was there any written agreement or even a written quote?

Re: When should we pay?

love*today — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:16:29 GMT

Yep call his bluff and tell him outright that is all you can manage and that's what the debt collected would be told too.

There's no way it'll go to court if you are agreeing to pay an amount that won't put you out. These days businesses are big bullies and they try to intimidate people....

Re: When should we pay?

j*oono — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:23:39 GMT

I think it is a shame that you already paid the $74 because it makes it look a though you believe the bill is yours.

I think you should speak to your neighbour and find out if they have an itemised bill and their receipt for payment. Are they expecting you to pay their bill as well as yours? That's what I would like to know.

I think that id to post is quite right and you should get advice from Fair Trading. The 7 days thread is just that.

That should say threat. There. I did do an edit 😄

Re: When should we pay?

imastawka — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:23:09 GMT

If he got the name wrong. who's the debt collector getting the money from?

Call his bluff

Re: When should we pay?

**meep** — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:26:13 GMT

hmmm....it would be his word against yours i think with the bottom line being that you owe him money for the job already done. i dont think he has to agree to your terms. i'm not an expert, just an opinion based on what i know...

Re: When should we pay?

joz*garage — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:27:10 GMT

pretty excessive price for 1/2 hour's work

i always ask for a quote first then take it from there and hes trying to take advantage of you because you didnt

Re: When should we pay?

love*today — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:30:10 GMT

Yeah it is excessive hey.
Ignore him and wait for the collector......if he comes 😉
And when he does $50 a month but you have to be firm.

Re: When should we pay?

**meep** — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:32:54 GMT

i assume he was licenced. if he wasn't, cant take it to Fair Trading.

Re: When should we pay?

imastawka — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:33:32 GMT

We're on a combined pipe here (6 properties) It blocks up regularly every

12 months or so. They have to put a "snake" machine down to clear it and

the bill is usually around $300. Sometimes its 1/2 hour sometimes 2-3 hours.

Depends how badly its blocked

Re: When should we pay?

**meep** — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:35:57 GMT

i wouldnt risk it with the debt collector. its something thats going to follow you for a long time. Not worth the stress and hassle for that amount of money.

Re: When should we pay?

banoras — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:44:02 GMT

We did actually expect to receive a bill, and did ask for one, just didn't expect it to arrive 6 months later. No, wasn't itemised. The neighbour said his bill was $200.

The amount does seem excessive, also, we were really doing the neighbour a favour. We're too nice and polite, and lots of people tell us that, but thats our way...

What we really need to know is, and I think the answer has already been given........we've been threatened with no legal grounds, regarding time to pay and to take it to a debt collector.

If I hear another word from him, we just might extend the time to pay him!

Re: When should we pay?

joz*garage — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:48:14 GMT

Yeah it is excessive hey.

say if the plumber charges $150 an hour (there were two of them so $300, half of that, thats $150 for 1/2 hour. Be a bit cheeky with a call out fee as he was already working in the vicinity, ok $40. blockage detection device might be $80. Price for the tool to unblock it? (who knows)

hmm theres 270 plus, maybe hes right

Re: When should we pay?

banoras — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:48:16 GMT

Really don't care about having a debt collector call around! We've got to our late 60s, have no debt, own house, car, etc...have always paid bills on time or early. Let them give us a "bad credit history"! Really only got the undertaker left to worry about !!

Re: When should we pay?

imastawka — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:55:28 GMT

I didn't say it was excessive,just that is what we are billed to unblock the drains.

We have been paying the same amount to the same plumber for 20 years.So it was

excessive 20 years ago. But because it's a combined drain we have to legally share the cost

i.e. $50 each

HEY,,,,,,, have you seen your drainage plans? You can get a copy from your Water Supplier,

If you are on what they call a "combined drain" then you have to legally share costs with your neighbours

and vice-versa

Re: When should we pay?

**meep** — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:55:53 GMT

@banorasew wrote:
Really don't care about having a debt collector call around! We've got to our late 60s, have no debt, own house, car, etc...have always paid bills on time or early. Let them give us a "bad credit history"! Really only got the undertaker left to worry about !!

Re: When should we pay?

joz*garage — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:59:09 GMT

I didn't say it was excessive,just that is what we are billed to unblock the drains.

i was replying to L*T, and i need to type faster, didnt see your post too,lol

Re: When should we pay?

twinkles**stars — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 08:03:39 GMT

You owe the money, pay. Plumber did the work....wrong spelling of your name, so what. Right address, yes?

When were you going to budget for it? Next year?

Having had a plumbing business I have heard it all 😞 A few bad payers can send a small business broke.

Re: When should we pay?

j*oono — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 08:06:08 GMT

Twinkles, he can't be going that broke if he took six months to send a bill. He sounds quite rude.