I scheduled an appointment with a mobile repairman two weeks in advance. He never called to confirm the appointment and I forgot to cancel. When the appointment was scheduled he never stated that his policy was to charge for missed appointments. Now he is charging the full cost of the repair for the missed appointment even though he didn't use any labor or materials. I don't believe it is fair because he never stated this policy to me in any way until after the appointment was missed. Legally, can he charge me the full price of the repair? I think he should have to state the policy when the appointment is made in order to be owed money.
2007-11-27 11:50:09 · 8 answers · asked by cd4 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If you signed a work order, or called it in and the phone conversation was taped, and this condition was mentioned, you may have a problem. Without an agreement to pay, you should be OK.
I would certainly try the nice approach and call the office and explain the situation. I would think this would result in those charges being reversed.
2007-11-27 11:56:27 · answer #1 · answered by trooper3316 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you sign anything before the appointment? If you did read it carefully to make sure in the small print it is not in there. If you did not and the agreement was by phone only it is his word against yours. You stand a 50/50 chance when taking it to court. If the repairman did not do anywork for you he cannot charge for labor or materials. He can only charge for the callout. Meaning he can charge you whatever it costs to make a house call. He can not charge you for things that he did not do, like labor, materials he did not use etc. He can not charge you for the repair if the repair was never made. If he did make the repair then of course he can charge you all of the above.
2007-11-27 11:58:35 · answer #2 · answered by D and G Gifts Etc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fair and legal are TOTALLY unrelated questions.
Remember, the repairman is actually selling his TIME. By failing to cancel your appointment, you prevented him from scheduling a replacement job. That means you DID cost him money, so it is 'fair' for him to charge you.
Legally, it depends on information that is not clear from your question. Did you sign ANYTHING? If you did, and the form stated that you would be charged for a canceled appointment, you are bound by that agreement, even if you failed to read it. As for if they are required to state such policies up front, it depends on where you are (laws vary by location) and possibly by the 'normal practice' in the area. If MOST repairmen charge for missed appointments, HIS case is stronger than if most do not.
2007-11-27 12:17:49 · answer #3 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is any recorded proof I think yes he could. Psychiatrists do it, why not other people? Time is money, you know. He can charge you for his time, which would be a base fee for an appointment but not for materials, unlkess he bought them specifically for you and can't use them elsewhere.
2007-11-27 11:59:30 · answer #4 · answered by primalclaws1974 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a lawyer, but I think that is that wasn't in writing, it's illegal. Usually you have to pay for a missed appointment IF they tell you that you have to cancel within a certain amount of time, and that's usually in writing.
People's Court!
2007-11-27 11:57:30 · answer #5 · answered by Run Lola! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, because you booked and wasted time that he could have spent earning money elsewhere. Such charges are standard.
Pay up.
If we're talking less than $500, no contract is required.
2007-11-27 12:51:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, he can't, even if he told you verbally. In that case, he would be entitled to be paid, but he could not enforce it unless you admitted to it.
2007-11-27 11:55:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is no recorded contract, I think you are safe if you refuse to pay.
2007-11-27 11:53:10 · answer #8 · answered by Yahoo Answer Angel 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋