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Mazout - Heater broken
While on holiday, our mazout ran out. We refilled it upon our return, but the pump did not work. We called the local heating man. He restarted the pump, told us it was old, and charged us 40 euros. It broke again 8 hours later. We called him back. I was working from home, but told him to interrupt me in my home office should he need anything. When he was done, I asked him how much and he told me 1150 euros plus VAT. He did not ask before hand, and has now sent a bill stating to pay in 8 days. The bill includes no information. Is this legal? I feel I am being taken advantage of.
You do have the right to ask for a detailed bill and receipt but it is always best to pay up and argue later.
You can also register and inquire with Test Achats: http://www.test-achats.be/ and/or check with Consumer rights: http://www.eccbelgium.be/
However, sounds like you asked him to fix it and he did and you will have to pay the cost of repair.
The bottom line is that you didn't ask for an estimate and are now stuck with a bill. I wonder what you would have done if you had been quoted €1150 plus VAT beforehand? Managed without heating or told the guy to go ahead?
In your situation I would be asking around for estimates for supplying and fitting the precise make of pump involved to find out whether you really have been taken advantage of. When you know what other fitters might have charged you can decide whether or not to challenge the bill but, frankly, you were without heating at a time of the year when it will soon become essential and the guy repaired it without delay so, unless you can show that there is a gross overcharging, I doubt you have much of a case.
If you got a new pump installed, no.
