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Original poster

Watch out for greedy Ed Psyc!

26 replies

flowwithit · 28/04/2012 14:35

We were given a quote for reputable ed psyc assessment and when we had it he said he would release our report when we had paid the invoice which I understand. However the when we received the invoice it was double the amount we were told! So I have not paid it yet. I am so upset as we really need that report for school and this has really messed us up now.
The quote was given to us over the phone by his secretary who said this Is what is normally charged for an assessment so I can't pay double that's just unreasonable to me.
What do you think?

OP posts:
claw4 · 28/04/2012 14:58

Was quote in writing?

Did you agree with what you wanted doing beforehand?

A quote is a contract between you and the seller, they cant just charge you double.

"Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, the seller should use their skill and experience when estimating the cost. The actual cost should not be too much more than the amount estimated"

claw4 · 28/04/2012 15:24

Sorry its not the consumer guarantees act in the uk. Its something like the sale of goods act or similar, just meant as an example.

appropriatelyemployed · 28/04/2012 16:13

I think you should write and ask why the figure requested is not consistent with the estimate.

zzzzz · 28/04/2012 16:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
flowwithit · 28/04/2012 17:08

I think additional charges are ok within reason ! I am normally a good judge of character and he seemed very genuine. When i opened it yesterday i couldn't believe it.
I think I will call him on Monday express my shock and ask him to explain the bill. I know we have not got enough to pay it though.

OP posts:
Triggles · 28/04/2012 19:38

I would write a letter stating that their quote was £x and you were extremely dismayed to see that their invoice was for £2x. I would expect that if their invoice was going to be more than roughly 10-20% higher than their quote that they should have come back to you and told you that. Ask for a complete breakdown on the fees involved to justify the charges.

WetAugust · 29/04/2012 01:10

If you only had an estimate during the phone call the actual costs could be higher.

If you had a firm quotation then that's all you need to pay.

There is no contract without 'consideration', so unless you paid a deposit you cannot enforce a contract.

Nigel1 · 29/04/2012 01:22

It seems to me the bigger issue is that the EP will have done standardized testing. You need to know what he did and the scores so that any testing done subsequently does not benefit from any practice effect.

HolyCalamityJane · 29/04/2012 07:44

We paid £1000 for our report the bulk of the cost coming from the report itself. I think this is pretty much the going rate if your bill exceeds this figure them perhaps find another ed psych. Before you complain can you get someone to phone the office and ask for prices to check whether the secretary regularly gives out duff info?

zzzzz · 29/04/2012 09:52

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
flowwithit · 29/04/2012 10:11

I felt this was not business like and emotionally I feel truly upset that he has taken advantage of a little boy with difficulties and his family. I know the assessment uncovered some specific difficulties that I can explain to the school and I hope to get more support for him. The EP has stopped this happening because I don't have the report now and am angry that he has been so greedy. I watch my poor Ds struggle and have panic attacks and it breaks my heart.

OP posts:
Original poster
flowwithit · 29/04/2012 10:16

Thanks Nigel1 I never thought of that you are right I can't just go and have them done again. That just messes me up even more. I don't have a lot of options do I? So very very upset about this.

OP posts:
appropriatelyemployed · 29/04/2012 10:58

Wet is right about the estimate. If it is an estimate and not a quote for the job, then they are not bound by it if the work exceeds the estimate but they should have told you.

This is about fair practices. If they give you an estimate, they should also set out their charging rates in advance, making it clear that the estimate is only that - an estimate- and more work may be required. If they want to be able to rely on this fee, they need to justify it. He is subject of his professional body and won't want bad press with other parents.

But you need to write to his person and get their explanation first.

It is unusual. Most EPs and independent experts will say exactly how much it will cost and ask for the money in advance before they do anything.

This is not a good or clear way to practice.

perceptionreality · 29/04/2012 11:00

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

appropriatelyemployed · 29/04/2012 11:00

I should add our EP report was £750 and this did not include a school visit. Quotes I received from leading EPs were from 750 to 1250. What were you quoted?

WetAugust · 29/04/2012 12:42

Mine was £800 6 years ago and did not include a school visit

Original poster
flowwithit · 29/04/2012 14:55

Quote estimate was £800. Invoice £1780Angry

OP posts:
claw4 · 29/04/2012 15:24

What did it include for that price?

Mine was about £1000 recently, it was for Tribunal so included things like reason for referral, background info, current level of support and comments on his NIL. Classroom and lunchtime observations in school, structured interview with ds ie what he thought about school.

Assessments WISC- IV ie verbal comp, perceptual reasoning, working memory, processing speed and an analysis of these scores.

WIAT-II ie literacy and numeracy development ie word reading, reading comprehension, spelling, math reasoning and an analysis of these scores.

Then the usual conclusion and educational provision to meet needs etc.

Original poster
flowwithit · 29/04/2012 16:16

It was for a 4 hr assessment to confirm ASD and check for any other learning difficulties also to make recommendations to school in a report but no school visits or meetings. I am going to ask for a breakdown of the invoice.

OP posts:
WetAugust · 29/04/2012 17:46

That does sound very steep flow. You're right to query it. Our £800 covered exactly the same and also took about 4 hours.

Original poster
flowwithit · 29/04/2012 17:59

That's why I put it on here to check with you all. Perhaps I've given too much info maybe I should have name changed I hope he doesn't go on MN..... Actually I hope he does!.... Might actually see how unreasonable his invoice is then.

OP posts:
appropriatelyemployed · 29/04/2012 18:29

Yes, that does seem steep.

Also, EP's can't actually diagnose ASD.

Original poster
flowwithit · 29/04/2012 18:41

Yes we already have dx but wanted to check for other more specific difficulties such as dyslexia ect and get school recommendations. School have refused EP which I wasn't really bothered about as most seem to say LA EP are not worth the bother. We wanted comprehensive report to find out if there were any other reasons why he is so anxious at school.

OP posts:
appropriatelyemployed · 29/04/2012 19:40

Sorry, you mentioned that he was going to confirm ASD, so thought I would just point that out in case it helped.

Nigel1 · 29/04/2012 21:24

flowwithit I would suggest that you clarify with him that the bill is double the quote - it may be an error. Then ask to justify. Then ask for the actual scores in writing as that was clearly within the actual original quote. What will he do for the original quote? If that does not work then come back to us.