Got a new boiler five years ago. Independent, local family company installed it and have serviced it every year since. Friendly, professional, the one time something went wrong with it they were quick to sort it out and all under the warranty. So all good and I'm keen to maintain a good relationship with them.
Last year's service was 80-something quid, including VAT. This year's falls due so the guy comes round - and he's here for literally 10 minutes. I hear a couple of noises, some water briefly running, and he says "all good". He says he'll email me the invoice. I ask him how much, thinking there surely must be some lower minimum call out charge for such a short visit doing virtually nothing, and he says £94!
I didn't say anything, but did a quick Google after he left and consensus seems to be somewhere between 80 - 120 quid for a service, so OK. BUT a proper service should take 30 - 60 minutes to do all the checks necessary to maintain the warranty.
I like to treat tradespeople with respect and don't like haggling over stuff like this. I understand they're running a business with fixed costs, and have to pay for their travel time between jobs etc. But nearly a ton for 10 minutes work - seriously? At what point is it just taking the piss?
Thinking when I get the invoice I'll reply, point out how briefly he was here, double check that he actually did everything necessary and ask whether they might consider a lower call out charge when there's so little to do. AIBU?
I don't have to keep getting it serviced by them, but it would seem a shame.