Is this suspicious?

[ComedyGuns]

I had my car serviced yesterday. Before I dropped it off, I agreed with the garage that I would pay on Friday, as I get paid then.

I’ve just called them to check the price (£273 inc of VAT) and mentioned that I wasn’t given an invoice when I picked the car up.

They said I could have seen the invoice when I picked up the car, but that they can’t release it until they’ve been paid (something to do with them proving they’ve paid VAT).

I asked if they could just take a photo and text me, as I’ve never paid for anything without first having an invoice. The man then passed me to his boss who told me I was being ‘aggro’, when I’d been so polite!

I’m now a bit suspicious that they’ve inflated the price.

Take a male with you. Unfortunately they are known for this 😞We have a particular car wash near us. They are known for inflating the price when it's a lone female 🤬

My DH arranged it on the phone though.

They let you take the car without paying? Just pay the agreed amount, surely?

It sounds as if they just want to stamp the invoice Paid and hand it to you on the day. A lot of garages have quite basic accounting systems and don't like to mix it up.

Can you not just go in, look at the invoice and then pay it? Can’t see what the problem is?

It was very decent of the garage to do the service without getting payment right away.

Make the agreed payment and then send the payment advise and ask for the invoice?

Why do you think they have inflated the price as if they are not going to give the invoice when you pay?

It’s weird they let you take the car without paying for it tbh. If you’d have paid on the day you probably would have seen the itemised invoice written down. Did they not have that when you collected the car?

I’ve never been allowed to take the car without payment first.

Did they not provide an invoice when you collected the car?

We get service we pay same as when we buy food or clothes at the time

They are men so on here the fact they exist is suspicious

How do you know the price then?

For work on a car, I've never been given an invoice before paying. I have never taken my car without paying though so I think they were very accommodating! The price is agreed in advance anyway, what info are you looking for on the invoice that you don't already have?

Surely you are the dodgy one in this scenario - taking your car without paying? Something tells me they won't let you do that again...

They are talking nonsense.

An invoice is a quoted for work prior to payment.
A receipt is confirmation of payment.

VAT is payable in receipts (actual transactions) rather than invouces (potential transactions).

Why can’t you just go and look at the invoice and pay it, I’ve never heard of being able to take the car away and pay later and demanding the invoice days in advance,

Eh. No it’s not.

dictionary definition,

An invoice is a formal, itemized document sent by a seller to a buyer requesting payment for goods or services rendered. It details what was purchased, the cost, the date of the transaction, and the agreed-upon payment terms

They are men so on here the fact they exist is suspicious

😁

That notwithstanding, I think there is an assumption by some, that if they were so inclined, it would be easier to pull the wool over a woman’s eyes, than a man’s, in what have been traditionally male areas of expertise.

But then you could just say you paid it and piss off. And you'd have their invoice as "proof". I can see why they dont want to send it to you. And why do you think they are doing something dodgy? £273 is perfectly normal for a service, and they let you take the car without paying them. Are you always this difficult?

I’m shocked that any garage let you have work done and then come and collect the car without paying!! Never heard of a garage doing this.

I recently had a service on my car they told me the price when I booked it in then on the day I mentioned something else I would like done if needed. They phoned me to confirm it did need doing and confirmed price. I then received the invoice when paying and collecting the car.

It's very unusual for a garage to do the service and then let you take the car without having paid. Most people have to manage without their car if they can't afford to pay at the time their car needs repairs.

I doubt the garage will allow you to do that again, since you don't appreciate the trust they placed in you to come in and pay on the day you said you would.

I've always been told the price over the phone and then receive the invoice when I've gone in to collect the car and pay.

What's suspicious is you taking your car and wanting an invoice without having paid them a penny.

This!