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Have I been ripped off?

5 replies

ohnelly · 23/07/2010 08:23

Hi all really need some advice on what to do about this situation. I discovered a wasps nest above our bedroom window, after wondering for weeks where they were coming from. It must have been quite big - I could hear them moving through the bedroom wall when I was feeding DS at night It makes me feel sick just to think about it!
Anyway DH works away so it was up to me to sort it out. I phoned someone from yellow pages who quoted me £39 as long as it was straightforwards to just spray it. I would be advised of any other costs if necessary.
So they came yesterday & I showed them from the ground the hole that they were coming in/out and from inside bedroom the noise I could hear through the wall. He said I needed two treatments as it was difficult to access nest & just spray it. The main treatment was some foam stuff that he would squirt in hole and it would take 10-14 days to work. So he also recommended smoking them out with some other stuff. The two treatments would be £130 + vat making it 152.75!! He said they would be all gone by the following morning after this. I told him I didnt really want to wait 10-14 days I just wanted them gone before they came through the wall which he agreed could happen within a matter of days! I dont know how true this is? He then sprayed them close up (up a ladder) and then with some tubes from the ground - took him about 15 mins.
They had all gone by the end of the day which was great but I just feel that something isnt right here:-
How did he know it would be too difficult to access nest before he even went up the ladder?
Why did I need the treatment taking 10-14 days to work if they have all gone the next day?
I think he has just sprayed them (I only saw him use one container unless he mixed the chemicals which I doubt) and charged me for things I didnt need/have!
I looked up the chemicals he apparently used online and they are used for wasps but rapid response from both as far as I can see
I only have his word for it & felt like I didnt have a choice but to believe him as I know nothing about it & he is the expert.
Sorry nearly finished! So what do I do?? I payed with a cheque as I didnt have enough money in the bank to cover it, he didnt ask for card details on the back. Do I cancel the cheque with bank while I find out more? Should I ring company & ask them to explain? (they are hardly going to admit it tho). Im really pissed off & cant stop thinking about it. Does this seem an excessive amount of money? Have I been ripped off & what do I do? citizens advice? And should I cancel cheque as once payment gone through I doubt I will ever get it back
Please help!!!

OP posts:
ohnelly · 23/07/2010 13:06

bump

OP posts:
CheapHawaiian · 23/07/2010 13:11

I don't really know what you should do, I'm afraid.

We had to get rid of a wasps' nest in a air-brick, and we were charged £30, but that was 5 or 6 years ago.

Check with your council's environmental health dept. They should be able to tell you if this was reasonable.

PandaEis · 23/07/2010 13:36

i think that you may have been overcharged but you agreed to the work there and then and basically stated, by allowing him to do the work, that you were happy for the work to be carried out at the price he had stated.

i think it may have been better to get more than one quote and speaking to environmental health aswell (they may have done it for free or for a small fee). i dont think, from a legal standpoint, that you can just cancel the cheque and refuse to pay as you agreed the price before he did the spraying.

sorry but in hindsight, maybe it would have been better to say no to this guy and use someone else.

ragged · 23/07/2010 13:45

Talk to Trading Standards ASAP. They are really good for advising on situations like this.

ohnelly · 23/07/2010 16:07

Hi thanks all - I have spoken to trading standards & they agree it does sound dodgy but as I agreed to it there is not much I can do about it now and I would make it worse for myself if I did cancel the cheque.
My other dilema is that this is a rented property so our landlord, who is on holiday should be responsible for this bill. Do you think it is reasonable to explain situation & offer to pay half? They did get rid of the wasps after all, but I cant make them pay for my stupid mistake. I am so annoyed ggrrrrr

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