to think they are taking this is just a bit mean.

[Ormirian]

Our nice independent electrical shop has closed down so to get my washing machine repaired I had to phone a different company - bigger with a call centre. The door no longer locks so it won't start. Call out fee was 55 plus vat which was a bit of shocker but I thought it was worth it to get machine fixed. Man came today. Turned out he lives round the corner and came to us first thing. Took about 5 mins to see what part was needed. Took my card details to take payment. Call centre rang me at work to say the part was not avaiable any longer and they couldn't fix my machine.

So £55 plus vat for SFA. I asked the woman I spoke to if they would be charging me the full amount and she said that yes, of course they would.

That is a bit unfair don't you think?

Oh, bad luck you couldn't find the part or door. Where did you get the reconditioned Bosch? I have the Exxcel and it's been good for 6 years with just one change of carbon brushes.

Bloody hell, I paid £25 for a call out, the guy was here half an hour and then came back to take the machine to their workroom to be looked at. As I couldn't afford to fix it (£185) they got rid of it for me, but would have brought it back unfixed for no extra charge.

I bought a second hand, hardly used Bosch for £50 instead.

£55 for five mins is scandalous.

My dad is an independent repair man, he charges nothing like £55 an hour and would have told you immediately (prob on the phone) if it wasnt worth fixing.

Our local appliance repair service does no obligation quotes & they're usually able to come by in 24 hours. They also ask the make & model of the appliance though, so they have an idea if the parts are available. Their (reasonably priced) repairs are also guaranteed for a year. I know this because I've had them replace the heating element in my cooker 11 months after they repaired it. It was cheerfully replaced free of charge.

I heart them! And so I think YANBU - quotes shouldn't cost anything. But...next time I'd check the small print re: charges even if they can't do the repairs.

I used to live opposite an electrician who had his own repair shop. He was quick, good and cheap. He stopped trading in feb. Don't know who else to use now and couldn't find anyone nearby who could do anything soon.

And bugger the small print! It's about being reasonable and flexible not a out sticking to the rules. They have pissed me off so won't be getting my business again and I won't be recommending them to anyone - quite the contrary in fact.