Have I paid too much?

[Andy Power]

just had my T6 Kombi ply-lined
Had the back tailgate done and carpeted along with the weel-arches boxed and played up the sides along with two pieces of rails (one each side) to lash things down, and a board fitted behind the driver/passanger seat to help protect the seats and stop anything rolling into the cab area, this is about one and a half foot high.
When I got home I realised that the two sliding doors had not beer done..

I paid a total of £510 - seemed a bit steep to me considering I still need the doors doing.

Thoughts please....

 

[Chrisfraser05]

You've paid for the materials and probably most of the guys day.

To be honest I don't think you've overpaid by much

 

[Ed Webb]

If the work is to a good standard I'd say that's on bar. Sounds pretty fair to me.

 

[HootingOwl]

Sounds like a fair price. What does 500 get you in the dealership?

 

[Chrisfraser05]

Sounds like a fair price. What does 500 get you in the dealership?

A set of mats lol

 

[PukkaT6]

My ply lining is sh!t - it creaks like mad and had they told me it was already lined I would not have bothered - half tempted to say rip it out when it finally goes back.

 

[Andy Power]

My ply lining is sh!t - it creaks like mad and had they told me it was already lined I would not have bothered - half tempted to say rip it out when it finally goes back.

nightmare, sorry to hear that...

 

[Banj]

I'd say you've paid about £200 too much, could you not get a kit and do it yourself? Its easy stuff

 

[Andy Power]

I'd say you've paid about £200 too much, could you not get a kit and do it yourself? Its easy stuff

I feel I had been ripped off as they didn't even do the two sliding doors - I had to take it back and pay more. I had bought some sidebars and was charged £160 to get them fitted and also the two doors carpeted

 

[Ed Webb]

Does your receipt give a breakdown of materials and labour?

 

[Andy Power]

No there was no breakdown- i guess i will just have to put it down to a bad experience- i asked for a price over the phone and was charged a lot more than quoted.
The second time i was quoted £35 for carpeting the doors and £50 for fitting the running bars £85 +vat
he then sent a bill of £160 and said the running bars took longer than he thought which is why i was charged more.
It's a company in Richmond (with the name Plyline in it - not sure if i can fully name & shame)...
but i will certainly not be recommending them

 

[DaveBos]

Name and shame them, they quoted and then just decided to charge more, fookers.

 

[Chrisfraser05]

i do agree that they could maybe offer better breakdowns of the price, ie how many hours or the rate per hour.
Plus there seems to been a lack of clarity on both sides what the initial quote involved, maybe you should be honest and clear with the chap that he needs to up his game where communications are concerned!

I still think you have to take into account the time it takes to do these things, the other work that cannot get done while they are still doing yours and the amount of work they would have to do just to pay for rates, insurances, tools etc before even touching wages.

People look at hourly rates and often feel ripped off, but when you consider the guy at the other end probably works the first 20 hours of each week just to cover costs it starts to hit home.

When i moved from working for someone (industrial) where i was far removed from the billing side, and started invoicing the public I felt bad sometimes.
At over £50 to change a ceiling rose I felt almost like i needed to discount it. But then my insurances, my tools, my van , my taxes, accountants etc etc etc.
The fact that I need to have over an hour clear plus travel for the job... Jesus, if i did 6 of them a day 5 days a week i'd struggle to pay my mortgage!!!

I really do sympathise, but as the owner of a small business myself i can see both sides.

 

[Chrisfraser05]

Name and shame them, they quoted and then just decided to charge more, fookers.

A quote is an estimate based on factors, unless specifically expressed surely if the customers specified parts taking longer to fit should not leave them in the red.

 

[DaveBos]

I quote regularly for topographic surveying work. I estimate how long it will take and charge accordingly, sometimes the job takes longer, sometimes sooner, but would never charge a client extra because I got the quote wrong.

 

[Chrisfraser05]

I don't either if its something I'm supplying or I've offered fixed price install and supply.

If a customer specifies something particular I always communicate that at a guess it will take a certain length of time, but if its over or under i will charge accordingly.

I suppose though that comes down to specific industries, and it certainly should be communicated to the customer so BOTH parties are clear.

Communication should always be king

 

[Ed Webb]

I think you should speak to the guy that did the work and give him an opportunity to justify or correct the issue before naming and shaming. If this is something he doesn't normally do it may take him longer as he is also learning. It may also be done to an amazingly high standard. Give the guy a chance before ripping his hard earned reputation to bits. Mistakes do happen.

 

[Andy Power]

I think you should speak to the guy that did the work and give him an opportunity to justify or correct the issue before naming and shaming. If this is something he doesn't normally do it may take him longer as he is also learning. It may also be done to an amazingly high standard. Give the guy a chance before ripping his hard earned reputation to bits. Mistakes do happen.

The company specialise in ply-lining and customising VW's so I guess they know what they are doing - they just took the opportunity to ripp me off as I am a novice in this field - I guess it's all part of living in ripp-off Britain. Very few people have morels any more, people just want to make as much money as they can at anyone's expense
Ply line Services of Richmond near Darlington - stay clear.

 

[Scruffy]

I wasn't ripped off price wise but the quality of work was appalling. I've since had further work done by another company to rectify the original lining, and I re-did all the insulation....so actually I was probably ripped off. There are an awful lot of companies springing up offering services, quite a few it seems that are taking advantage of the man in the street.

 

[Ed Webb]

the dub scene is huge and with every opportunity to make money honestly there are those out there trying to make a quick buck. Many companies come with good reviews and do an honest and professional job and it's just a few that let the scene down.