OK, so I do. My mum does. My XP does....I thought I'd bounce it off a few MNetters, just in case I'm being totally deluded.
OK, so the case is thus: I'm a self employed craftsperson, with a particular (rare) skill set. In October I was approached by a small company who wanted me to do a job for them, on site and about 100 miles from home, that they didn't have the skills to do. I was given the specifications and quoted £500, which they accepted.
I had to do quite a bit of preparatory work prior to arriving on site, and also needed the designs by a certain date in order to be sure of finishing by the deadline. Despite increasingly frantic emails, the company didn't provide me with these until right at the last minute. Over the phone, I was told that they'd help me finish, if time was tight. Also, the design brief had changed, although I'd argue that it didn't seem like any less work. Crucially, no change to my fee was raised by the company at this point.
So, I get the designs at the very last possible minute, the company take me to site (I'd offered to drive myself, but they said it was fine), I work like an absolute bastard for 2 days (because by now time was tight), company boss also works like an absolute bastard to help me finish on the second day (I had to instruct him what to do), we finish in the nick of time, and drive home.
I should also say the company put me up in a hotel, with absolutely no reference to any extra cost incurred on my part.
The day after I get an email asking me to "reconsider" my fee, because company boss helped me to consider the job. I say no, because it should have been discussed prior to the work being done, but as a goodwill gesture I'll break down the hours I've done- 30 hours @ £15 p/h = £450, so they can pay me £450.
No answer for a couple of months, until I send a letter threatening the Small Claims Court (is this called a "Letter before action?"). I then get an email reply offering £350, which I refuse. Company replies with a list of assertions based on things I may or may not have said (some I can recall saying, some I can't, some I did but have been twisted)- all of which is verbal, with no written record.
Based on this, do you think I should go ahead and file a claim with the Small Claims Court?
TIA all knowing ones
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Do you think I've got a good case for the Small Claims Court?
19 replies
stubbornstains · 11/02/2016 19:47
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