Quote:
Originally Posted by Welsh Anorak
You are absolutely right, of course. But it's hard to charge the old dear face to face for something you or I could do in our sleep - you forget it's rocket science to them.
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Last week, mum in law phoned, her 18 month old washer had been accidently switched off just before the cycle end. She panicked as the door wouldn't open after a couple of minutes waiting. She couldnt find the instruction book and my wife suggested switch it off at the plug 5 minutes and try again. Still no go.
I said I would call round later that afternoon.
In the meantime she had phoned the small local business who she bought it from (and also a new microwave). When she phoned us to tell us this and that he had a £45 callout charge (about 1.5 miles in same town) I hurried up my lunch and set off. I missed the bloke by 2 minutes. In the 10 minutes or so he was there, he turned the knob to drain, let it pump out, then waited and opened the door!
He gave her a bill for £45 + £9.00 vat. She doesn't remember the total £54 when she first rang. So, 90 year old mum paid up in cash. It was only a small load basic zanussi, not a Miele! Today, she said she found the instruction book and it said to place in drain mode first. She said she felt foolish now.
I was angry and said I would take it up with the shop, especially as when she phoned she was told callout charge was £45, no mention of vat. But no, she was afraid it would cause trouble, don't do it. I may want them in the future!
So, the moral is, repair technicians will not be out of a job with charges like that around!
Rob