Plumbing Dispute

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5288 posts

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#1013596 27-Mar-2014 08:21

Why is it a bad idea? I'm not a lawyer, but it seems a good idea to me to resolve the issue without having to go to the DT.

andrewNZ

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#1013597 27-Mar-2014 08:24

surfisup1000: Why is it a bad idea? I'm not a lawyer, but it seems a good idea to me to resolve the issue without having to go to the DT.

Because all it does is partly pay the bill. It still allows them to chase you for the rest.

If you are going to dispute it, you need to actually dispute it.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

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#1013620 27-Mar-2014 08:40

andrewNZ:
surfisup1000: Why is it a bad idea? I'm not a lawyer, but it seems a good idea to me to resolve the issue without having to go to the DT.

Because all it does is partly pay the bill and still allows them to chase you for the rest.

If you are going to dispute it, you need to actually dispute it.

Jumping straight to the DT should be the last option to resolve as it costs $40 and hours of travel/form filling.

if the $135 counteroffer is accepted (or they can agree to a reduced amount) then the whole thing is over , no sweat.

They can still go to the DT but why do that if it can be avoided?

I guess i still don't get why it is a bad idea to try and avoid the DT.

networkn

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#1013632 27-Mar-2014 08:57

andrewNZ:
pctek:
networkn: Well travel was 10 minutes, and 5KM from our inlaws place, so travel isn't really a consideration. Still no word from them. I am going to put $135 in a cheque to them.

Bad idea.
What you need to do is tell him you dispute it, then pay nothing and take it to Disputes Tribunal.

I agree. At the very least, if you do send a cheque, it needs an accompanying letter stating that you believe the cost is bollocks and that banking the cheque puts an end to the matter.

That is How I'd handle it. Having said that I have rethought it, and will wait for their response to our email.

nickb800

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#1013746 27-Mar-2014 10:54

surfisup1000:
andrewNZ:
surfisup1000: Why is it a bad idea? I'm not a lawyer, but it seems a good idea to me to resolve the issue without having to go to the DT.

Because all it does is partly pay the bill and still allows them to chase you for the rest.

If you are going to dispute it, you need to actually dispute it.

Jumping straight to the DT should be the last option to resolve as it costs $40 and hours of travel/form filling.

if the $135 counteroffer is accepted (or they can agree to a reduced amount) then the whole thing is over , no sweat.

They can still go to the DT but why do that if it can be avoided?

I guess i still don't get why it is a bad idea to try and avoid the DT.

I don't think he's suggesting that they should go straight to the DT, just that if you send a cheque for less than the full payment, you need to have a note with it saying why (i.e. I am disputing your charges as excessive...). A cheque that partially pays the bill without explanation could lead to remainder of the bill being sent to a debt collector before they get a chance to dispute it

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#1013751 27-Mar-2014 11:03

nickb800:
surfisup1000:
andrewNZ:
surfisup1000: Why is it a bad idea? I'm not a lawyer, but it seems a good idea to me to resolve the issue without having to go to the DT.

Because all it does is partly pay the bill and still allows them to chase you for the rest.

If you are going to dispute it, you need to actually dispute it.

Jumping straight to the DT should be the last option to resolve as it costs $40 and hours of travel/form filling.

if the $135 counteroffer is accepted (or they can agree to a reduced amount) then the whole thing is over , no sweat.

They can still go to the DT but why do that if it can be avoided?

I guess i still don't get why it is a bad idea to try and avoid the DT.

I don't think he's suggesting that they should go straight to the DT, just that if you send a cheque for less than the full payment, you need to have a note with it saying why (i.e. I am disputing your charges as excessive...). A cheque that partially pays the bill without explanation could lead to remainder of the bill being sent to a debt collector before they get a chance to dispute it

Yes, exactly. I agree. I assumed they would include a note to explain the reason for the lesser amount.

So, it is a good idea :)

Zippity

683 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1013759 27-Mar-2014 11:34

Does he hold a current plumbers license? ie is he registered?

Did you sight his PGDB card?

Have you visited the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board web site at http://www.pgdb.co.nz/complaints/complain-about-a-tradesperson.html

Have you been in touch with the PGDB 0800 743 262?

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nickb800

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#1013913 27-Mar-2014 15:03

Zippity: Does he hold a current plumbers license? ie is he registered?

Did you sight his PGDB card?

Have you visited the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board web site at http://www.pgdb.co.nz/complaints/complain-about-a-tradesperson.html

Have you been in touch with the PGDB 0800 743 262?

From the PGDB complaints page

"Some examples of matters the Board doesn’t usually consider are: ... Billing/invoicing disputes: these are primarily contractual in nature, and may be best dealt with through civil avenues, such as the Disputes Tribunal."

Zippity

683 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1013934 27-Mar-2014 15:29

Agreed, but it wouldn't do any harm to have a chat to one of the PGDB legal team :)

pctek

807 posts

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#1013996 27-Mar-2014 16:59

Zippity: Does he hold a current plumbers license? ie is he registered?

Did you sight his PGDB card?

Have you visited the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board web site at http://www.pgdb.co.nz/complaints/complain-about-a-tradesperson.html

Have you been in touch with the PGDB 0800 743 262?

That won't help. It's not a dispute over the quality of the work or a stuff up.

Its a billing issue.
You can't pay him what you feel like, it has to be an official dispute.
You have to notify him it's a dispute or he can legally take you to Baycorp or whoever.

If it's in dispute, he can't.

So what if it's $40 to file at the tribunal - you get that back when you win.
Do it properly, that way there's no hassle with you going off on your own, you will have done everything correctly and it's better for your case.

gregmcc

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#1014013 27-Mar-2014 17:10

surfisup1000:

But, if they must come out twice because they do not have the bits (assuming a washer might be rather common) then can they charge travel twice? I could ask my plumber friend.

Without knowing the full details, you can't expect the plumber to carry all the spare parts for everything in his van, but it would be prudent to carry the more common easy to get inexpensive parts, maybe the plumber had 7 of the washers in the van and this person was the 8th one for the day?

mattwnz

20165 posts

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#1014039 27-Mar-2014 17:47

pctek:
Zippity: Does he hold a current plumbers license? ie is he registered?

Did you sight his PGDB card?

Have you visited the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board web site at http://www.pgdb.co.nz/complaints/complain-about-a-tradesperson.html

Have you been in touch with the PGDB 0800 743 262?

That won't help. It's not a dispute over the quality of the work or a stuff up.

Its a billing issue.
You can't pay him what you feel like, it has to be an official dispute.
You have to notify him it's a dispute or he can legally take you to Baycorp or whoever.

If it's in dispute, he can't.

So what if it's $40 to file at the tribunal - you get that back when you win.
Do it properly, that way there's no hassle with you going off on your own, you will have done everything correctly and it's better for your case.

The OP needs to read the consumer affairs website on this if they didn't get a quote or estimate for the work, and they aren't happy with what they have been charged. I don't beleive the plumber can just charge what they want either, as the price has to be reasonable, and in line with what other plumbers would charge. So the OP needs to find out what other plumbers would have charged.

What if I didn’t get a quote or estimate?

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act the seller must complete the work with reasonable skill and care, and within a reasonable time and at a reasonable price. You can find out what is reasonable by asking other sellers how much the work should cost, and how long it should take.

http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/for-consumers/services/getting-quotes-and-estimates

pctek

807 posts

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#1014124 27-Mar-2014 19:52

gregmcc:
Without knowing the full details, you can't expect the plumber to carry all the spare parts for everything in his van, but it would be prudent to carry the more common easy to get inexpensive parts, maybe the plumber had 7 of the washers in the van and this person was the 8th one for the day?

Even it that was the case, he said he was 5km. Unless it's the middle of nowhere, finding a shop nearby that sells washers is easy.

Still doesn't account for $140 ish over charge.

I recommend going on builderscrack and getting some estimates in writing from other plumbers for the job.

That way you have more to take along to disputes.

Aredwood

3885 posts

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#1014164 27-Mar-2014 20:41

OP, can you please answer my question. What exactly is the part code / name / description ect of the washers that were installed in your toilet? Surely the invoice you received should state that.

networkn

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#1035303 2-May-2014 09:58

Aredwood: OP, can you please answer my question. What exactly is the part code / name / description ect of the washers that were installed in your toilet? Surely the invoice you received should state that.

I'll try and find that information out.

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