Call-out charges are a major expense in the UK and have been for years. It wasn’t until 2010 that the government made it illegal to charge call-out fees under a different name. This amounts to a bait and switch scheme.
When call-out fees are present, they are often far too expensive. This leaves a lot of us wondering how to stay safe from dishonest businesses.
There are some steps you can take to protect your money. We’ll talk about some of them in this article.
Call-Out Charges
The issue with call out charges is that under certain circumstances, they are legal, which is why it’s important to know your rights. The only requirement for adding a legitimate call out charge is that the company has to inform you of it. This can be for the visit, diagnosis or another service conducted before any repairs or maintenance takes place.
There are ways to save costs, and one way is to ask around about different companies. Some don’t charge call-out fees, or else don’t charge very large ones. If you live in rented accommodation, your landlord may also be able to help.
However, if you’re looking for a solution that can avoid paying any call out charge, why not use Clipfix? Our video call app will put you straight in contact with a qualified tradesman who can help you solve the problem in no time at a low cost of just £20.
Know Your Rights: Contract Law
Call-out charges have been an issue for a while, and there have been several legal decisions to regulate them. One of the more noteworthy decisions was the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation, and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.
This is a rule within contract law which states that business contracts are valid anywhere and at any point in time when conducting business. This prevents companies from beginning negotiations with you outside their place of business, only to claim those negotiations were invalid once you get into the office.
Before this law, contractors and salespeople could use any number of schemes to get you into the office and then disregard any negotiations that took place before then.
Know Your Rights: Business Practices
The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 was a far more business-focused law. While the Consumer Contracts Regulations dealt with the validity of contracts, this law was more about business practices as a whole.
It made it illegal for businesses to mislead clients by omitting important information. It also prevents companies from making false claims, such as claiming a product when it isn’t or that it has properties that it doesn’t have.
Certain aggressive sales tactics were also outlawed. Salespeople were no longer allowed to put customers in situations where they felt they were being forced to buy things.
How to Avoid Scams and Call Out Charges
Avoiding scams and call out charges is an issue of knowing what to look for and where. We’ve talked about some of the rules that plumbers and other home improvement businesses have to follow when charging for their call-outs, but there’s a lot more regulation outside of this article that hasn’t been covered.
If you’re looking for a solution that can avoid paying huge fees on call out charges, Clipfix is here to help. We have made it easy for you to find reliable, affordable professionals in your area for a low cost of just £20. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or download our app today.
