Ireland Customers wanting receipts

[Risteard]

I had a customer that I've done a bit of work for over the past couple of years ring yesterday morning looking to get some lights etc. replaced which I had advised him about a number of months ago. I told him that I wasn't available from Saturday onwards for another 3 weeks or so, so it would be doubtful whether I could get it done before then.

Anyhow, I managed to get there late yesterday afternoon when I was nearby and replace them.

Just got a text today: "Hi Richard, can you keep me receipts for any materials bought for work please. Thanks <name redacted due to GDPR>.

Obviously there is absolutely no way that he can have my invoices from the wholesalers, but how would you respond?

 

[Risteard]

I wouldn’t give them either. The price of the material has nothing to do with him whatsoever...He must of accepted the quote, for the work to of gone ahead. I think your response is spot on and I would be interested in his reply. I had this once with a customer where he asked how much I paid per downlight, thinking nothing of it I told him the price which I think at the time was £21 per intergrated fitting. A few days past and I went over to collect payment, knocked on the door, customer said do you mind popping in so I can have a word....To cut a long story short he had been in to my wholesaler (must of seen the name on the bag the materials come in) and had picked up the same downlight or so he had thought for £16. He then said I feel you are ripping me of as you’ve said they are £21 and I’m joe public and got the same downlight from your wholesalers for £16. My initial thought was, what a cheeky git! I then looked at the box and noticed they were non dim and the ones I had purchased and fitted were dimmable. He then said I never asked for dimmable to which I replied my quote stated dimmable and how much I pay for material has nothing to do with him as he accepted the quote I provided and he could of gone with someone else. He tried chipping me the difference to which he got told it weren’t happening! A few choice words from me, got my money and left calling him a cheeky ****

He rang yesterday morning but I was busy working in the main DB of a well-known pizza chain trying to get done before opening. I phoned back later and he wanted receipts to see he was only paying cost price. I told him that I never offered him cost price and that he told me to go ahead based on the estimated price I had given him and that it was none of his business what the materials had cost me. He said if I wasn't happy giving them then he would get someone else to finish other work there. I told him that I didn't care and that under no circumstances could he have documents to do with my private business dealings. I offloaded him as a customer and I'm happy I did the right thing. Don't need his crappy work anyway.

 

[Zer0900]

He rang yesterday morning but I was busy working in the main DB of a well-known pizza chain trying to get done before opening. I phoned back later and he wanted receipts to see he was only paying cost price. I told him that I never offered him cost price and that he told me to go ahead based on the estimated price I had given him and that it was none of his business what the materials had cost me. He said if I wasn't happy giving them then he would get someone else to finish other work there. I told him that I didn't care and that under no circumstances could he have documents to do with my private business dealings. I offloaded him as a customer and I'm happy I did the right thing. Don't need his crappy work anyway.

Good riddance. That kind of behaviour is really aggravating. Prolly still has his communion money.

 

[Bellendian]

Yep this sort of thing properly winds me up. There is a breed of householder out there who seem to think that we are minions to do their bidding, like spending time and diesel doing their shopping for them, with no margin. The same types tend to be the ones that compare labour rates to their salary and moan. On more than one occassion I've pointed out to these people that if their employer charged them out at the same rate that they get in their pay packet, they'd very shortly be out of a job since the company would go bust!
What I find most irritating though is this question of honesty and integrity. It is perfectly reasonable, and indeed necessary, for a business to apply a margin on goods and services supplied, but these people will consider you dishonest for doing so. Best avoided at all times. I now give a price for a job all in, take it or leave it. Easier all round.

 

[Teddy Lop]

"Can I have a full breakdown on that please"

Ill send them a more detailed description of the work, or generally ignored/skirted/fobbed off... Even if I needed the work I'd rather wait tables.

Although you have to be carefully, you KNOW what's worse. 2nd fit Monday for a regular builder, client supplying all fittings. Wish me luck!

You know what's much more money than the thin % I'll put on parts to cover procurement and warranty? The extra you'll pay for me for the extra time and hassle to fit the invariably incorrect, happy shopper rubbish you'll insult me with.

 

[richy3333]

thats one customer you’ll be glad to have gotten rid of. He must have a sad life to so accusatory.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I think it is absolutely fine for a customer to ask for the actual cost of materials BEFORE the work is started and BEFORE the quote has been accepted. Once the quote has been accepted and work started I would be peed off if they started asking about material costs as they have already accepted them.

I think you gave the correct and professional response in your email and I would not want to do work for that person again. That's one of the things I love about being self employed, being able to say NO.

 

[telectrix]

only time i disclose materials costis on bigger jobs where client is vat reg. and if he buys direct from wholesaler he can reclaim the vat. as i'm not vat reg. ok, i lose out on any mark up, but then i'm not standing out hundreds.

 

[123]

Good riddance, I feel for whoever takes on his work. He probably goes into his local takeaway demanding to know how much the basic ingredients are

 

[Leesparkykent]

Yeah good riddance.

 

[Risteard]

Good riddance, I feel for whoever takes on his work. He probably goes into his local takeaway demanding to know how much the basic ingredients are

I said to him you wouldn't go into a shop and ask for things at cost price.

Anyway, as he's about a mile over the border the materials were bought in Sterling but to be sold in Euro so there would never be a direct comparison.

 

[Dan]

I had a customer that I've done a bit of work for over the past couple of years ring yesterday morning looking to get some lights etc. replaced which I had advised him about a number of months ago. I told him that I wasn't available from Saturday onwards for another 3 weeks or so, so it would be doubtful whether I could get it done before then.

Anyhow, I managed to get there late yesterday afternoon when I was nearby and replace them.

Just got a text today: "Hi Richard, can you keep me receipts for any materials bought for work please. Thanks <name redacted due to GDPR>.

Obviously there is absolutely no way that he can have my invoices from the wholesalers, but how would you respond?

You send him your own invoice marked as paid. For whatever amount, either the original price, or your own price for picking them all up and whatnot.

Nobody works for free.

 

[Midwest]

Its human nature I'm afraid. You can blame the www for people finding how much things cost, although I don't think Id get too wound up over the price of a downlight, unless you supplying hundreds.

I had my garden last year. Had some decking done, which originally I was going to do, but her indoors ruled, she wasn't going to wait 6mths for it to happen. Landscaper did it in the end. I know he made a mark up on the materials, but then thats business. If I'd got the materials, he would of charged more labour. Some people do wanna skin a fart.

The place I work now, has a particular luminaire fitted each room. We've had to get some replacements from Franklite. I wouldn't pay £50 for them, but costs us £120 a pop.

 

[ian.settle1]

Surely you will need these receipts for when the taxman comes calling, otherwise it how would you prove you have spent X amount of pounds for parts to carryout the work you have been paid for?

 

[SparkyAndGeorge]

I knew of someone once who get on well with the branch manager of the wholesaler who was able to edit the delivery note and alter the prices to whatever he wanted. This should not be necessary though, the cost of materials is not the customers prerogative. They know the cost of the job before work commences they can like it or lump it. (Language in public forums!) them.

 

[Dan]

I was going to move the thread to the arms so you can swear a bit. But a couple of people have contributed to it that don't have access. So please just be mindful of where the thread is people.



Ta.