advice on stop payment check for bad service

[pakjohn]

Need some advice on how best to proceed:
Last week we had family visiting from our home country, including small kids. Our dryer went out, for those of you with small kids you know what a inconvenience this can be. I called the repairman to come out and explained the urgency, he came out late the next day, fiddled with the dryer and said he fixed it and asked for payment. We paid him before testing the dryer as we've used them before. Long story short, it didn't work! We called the company and the best they could do was the next evening. (8 people in the house, laundry everywhere.) He comes back, takes the top off the dryer and fiddles, then tells me rather angrily that the dryer is working! I assured him it wasn't earlier, he put the dryer back together and left. We immediately filled it up with clothes only to find it still not working, and this is on Friday evening! I called the company and got the run around, the guy can't come till monday, we argued back and forth, I asked for a supervisor, none available. At that point, I called the bank and stopped payment on the check since the dryer didn't work. I also found a handyman willing to come the next morning to repair it. (BTW, I took the cover off the dryer, immediately found a burned out thermostat laying in the bottom of the dryer, the obvious problem, no idea why he didn't just change the thing instead of screwing me around like this.)
Saturday morning, with no previous call or notice, the guy that failed to fix it the first two times just shows up. He wasn't wearing his uniform and by the time I figured out he is that guy and not the handyman, he was already into the machine. I showed him the burned out thermostat and gave him a copy of the wiring schematic I got from the internet. He replaced it with a new one, put it together and stood rather angry and stoic while I tested it.

Here's where I need advice; how much bargaining power do I have with these people? I want them to deduct 30 SGD from the total bill for the repair, I'm a controls engineer by trade and can show photo documentation that he didn't replace the thermostat listed on the bill. What liability do I have if they refuse to negotiate and want the full amount? Not sure I'm willing to fall on my sword over 30 SGD, but feel strongly this kind of service deserves push back.

appreciate any feedback!

[sierra2469alpha]

Hmmm-ok so you stopped the cheque, so in effect they haven't been paid at this point in time? IMHO, I'd just pay them the cost of the thermostat (eg. parts) and the amount of the labour charge representing the last visit when he actually fixed it. I'm no lawyer, but really, what can they do? A well worder letter explaining the situation and documenting the timeline of their woeful service usually helps also.

Another technique I've used in the past is to warn them that you will have no problems posting the name of their organisation on one of the various Internet forums and doing a name and shame. If they are reasonably intelligent they'll heed that warning.

Good luck with it! P

[Strong Eagle]

Sounds like it is more hassle than what it is worth... $30.

[pakjohn]

Sounds like it is more hassle than what it is worth... $30.

If it were just me, I'd agree. But this guy was so cock sure he could tell me and charge me anything that I have to assume he's been sticking it to people that don't know any better for a long time. Most likely deals with women and helpers and can take advantage.

IMHO, I'd just pay them the cost of the thermostat (eg. parts) and the amount of the labour charge representing the last visit when he actually fixed it. I'm no lawyer, but really, what can they do? A well worder letter explaining the situation and documenting the timeline of their woeful service usually helps also.

As expected; I got a call from the company when they found out the check had been cancelled. I told them I wanted to negotiate payment with the owner. To my surprise he called me. He seemed geniunely disturbed about the problem and only charged me for the part, no labor. As a previous business owner, I'd hate to have a tech ripping my customers off and not be told about it. So, it turned out fairly well. Word to the wise; don't pay or trust or let a repairman you don't know out of the house before triple checking his/her work!

Appreciate the feedback!

[sierra2469alpha]

Just goes to show!!! Glad it worked out for you - could have done without the grief, though. I too would have stood my ground, even if it were $30. The attitude displayed by the tradesperson has to be stopped - sooner or later people standing up to this type of behaviour will make them change. We're supposed to be an international city with a reputation of honesty.

Each time you let one go through to the keeper with their $30 or so, you're just feeding the mentality IMHO.