Can you give me advice regarding the dreaded collection agencies?

Question

This is the first time this ever happened to me. I hired an electrician to repair our ceiling fan in a townhouse that we were renting. Two months later, he charged me $498.19 (3.75 hrs labor + parts & a new fan).

I was told by the tenant that he was definitely not there that long. This guy was ripping us off. I disputed the bill, so he sent it to a collection agency. I sent my response; he sent his response saying he would "reduce" his fee to $512.00! I sent another dispute (noting my legitimate concerns). When I didn't hear anything back, I thought the case was dropped. I just called to check on it, and I found that they have been reporting me to Experian credit agency since the incident began.

My bill is now up to $540.00 and my credit is being affected. Have you experienced this sort of thing? Any advice for me? Thanks...

Answer 1

All you can do is dispute it, or take him to small claims court.  Make sure you have all the paper work and make sure your witness will appear in court.  

However, I will tell you one thing.  When it comes to trade work, auto mechanic, electrician, plumbing etc... many of those trades have a jobs set up at so many hours...and if he did what he said and it is covered by the trade laws as a job that takes 3.75 hours, it doesn't matter if he did it in 30 minutes if the work was done well.  

Also, if you don't have anything in writing about how much it would cost, you just don't have a lot to stand on.

Best of luck and check with some electricians if they have certain jobs covered by their licensed trade for being so many labor hours.  Also, you can ask them about what you think you should have been charged or better yet ask them about how much they would charge to do this job and don't let them know you have already had it done.  Check with several and see if the guy is in the ball park with his price.

again, good luck,

Hartdawg

Answer 2

Well I know for a fact that I have changed my own ceiling fans (due to hurricane damage) in less then a half an hour.

But either way, he has you and can report the debt to Experian until it is settled.

If  you have a signed receipt for work performed that states the exact fee, then, that is what he is entitled to.  He can not come back and want more money.

While it is true that some companies do tend to overcharge, they may have a clause in their contract that includes travel time as labor costs.

You are much better off filing a complaint with your states attorney generals office (the BBB is useless, like those Chamber of Commerce people).

Here is a link to find your local AG's office

http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/atto...

Either way you should get it settled as they can place a "mechanics Lien" on your home or other property.

Answer 3

Hartdaw is right...these skilled trades people are crooks.  You really need to get everything in writing before the begin work.

But all is not lost...you still have some ammunition to use.

1) Why is this bill going up?  They can't charge you interest or late fees without a contract.  Do you have such a receipt?

2) Contact the local electricians union and find out what the consider a fair amount is for the work that was done.  

3) Contact the BBB (one the very few times I recommend messing with these clowns) and file a complaint.

4) Most of these tradesmen have to be licensed through the state.  File a complaint with the appropriate agency.

5) Once your research has come back, and you find out what a "fair" amount is, send these people a negotiation letter offering to pay that amount.

6) If they still will not work with you, file your own lawsuit for fraud against this guy.  That assumes you have nothing in writing.

I had a similar episode with a plumber.  I had a leaking drain pipe under a concrete slab floor.  They had to bust up some concrete and patch the pipe, then mix and refill the hole with concrete.  Time spend:  1 1/2 hours....time charged 5 hours.....for two people....one of whom mostly stood by and watched.  Got a bill for several hundred dollars, and I fought these idiots something fierce.  They finally got tired of the fight and took $350.  

One more thing to keep in mind....it's common for a home contractor to be stiffed on their bill.  Most states have "contractor lien" laws making it very easy for them to place liens on homes and sue you.  If they truly believe they deserve this money, why haven't they gone this route?  I really think your own lawsuit will shake them up a little bit.  But get some estimates on what it should cost you...and the best source is the local electricians union.