Do I Have to Pay This Tradie?

I contacted airconditioning repair people who came out, had a look at the evap cooling for 5-10 mins, and said the main PCB board needed replacing.

I then contacted someone who does repairs (over the phone, he didn't charge me) who advised me to try re-pairing the remote. That took a whole 5 minutes and it ended up working again. The tradie even sent me a pic of the PCB board with no lights saying it just wasn't working. He then gave me a quote to replace it and a $200 invoice for that callout.

What would you do in this situation?

Thanks

Edit: Thanks everyone for your input, it's been a fun and surprising discussion. I will call the guys and see what they have to say and take it from there. If paying $200 gives me the right to leave a review, maybe I'd rather do that.

Comments

        • Not if he didn't Sync the remote control

  • +8

    What did first bloke say when you went back to him and said hey pcb is fine , it was just a remote sync issue.

    • -1

      I haven't said anything yet, I'm asking for advice.

      • +3

        How's that advice goin' for you?

      • +3

        Sounds like you should start by phoning them and voicing your concern. They may reduce their bill due to a misdiagnosis. Start with being communicative and opening dialogue.

    • +7

      My new Raptor needs fuel. Pay up asap or sooner.

  • +15

    you pay for their time. not the result.

      • +15

        Tradies are not charities. There are shit tradies everywhere. Nearly every mechanic will charge a diagnosis fee for their time. The advice they offer after that depends on their skill level and care factor.

        • +2

          and as long as we keep feeding shit tradies, they will continue operating. We have to draw a line somewhere, misdiagnoising so they can have a bigger job is basically a scam to me. This guy just couldn't walk away with $200 to re-sync a remote which I wouldn't have complained about.

        • +2

          They're selling a service. If that service is advice, you're entitled to accurate advice.

          Like the aircon tech who told me over the phone my issue needed a replacement thermostat for $600. Except I pulled it off the wall, blew the dust off the pins, replaced it and it was fine.

          You, probably: "hey mate you were obviously wrong and don't care and were happy to gouge me but let me give you some money for your time"

      • +3

        I mean I wouldn’t be happy, but I’d still pay it.
        If you go to a mechanic they charge you for the time and job (e.g., replacing break pads), in the hope that it fixes the issue (e.g., squeaking noise). Very rarely would they guarantee before the job that it’s definitely the cause of the issue.
        So Fox is right, you’re paying for their opinion, expertise and time. If you’re not happy with this dude’s expertise then perhaps do more research on the job and the tradie before engaging them and calling them out.

        • +1

          There's a difference between misdiagnosing and flat out saying something isn't working when it is…that's my issue. It's the equivalent of someone getting their PC repaired which just requires it to be turned on and off again but the guy says the GPU isn't working and needs replacing when it's fine. The person has 5 stars on google reviews.

          • +4

            @helpme: Neither you or I are aircon technician so hard to say whether that was the optimum first course of action. I mean it wasn’t your first course of action to re-pair the remote either. The fault could’ve been in the board.
            If someone comes to your house and spent 5 hours unblocking your drain unsuccessfully you are still required to pay them.
            But it seems you’ve already made up your mind even before posting here so I’ll leave it at that.

            • @zonra:

              If someone comes to your house and spent 5 hours unblocking your drain unsuccessfully you are still required to pay them

              Agreed. I had a case when someone thought the leak was from the solar panel, he replaced something but it was still leaking. I paid him for that and again to fix the real issue and had no problem with that. He made a mistake, we all make mistakes, and he should be paid for this time.

              But the problem is I'm paying the guy to tell me something is broken when it isn't and I highly, highly, doubt this was a mistake. None of the error lights were on, he sent me a pic of the PCB board without any indicator lights but when I went up, there was. I then just resynced the remote and it worked.

              • +4

                @helpme:

                He made a mistake, we all make mistakes, and he should be paid for this time.

                /thread

          • +2

            @helpme: orrr maybe the board is broken, and it'll fail again in a month

        • +3

          (e.g., replacing break brake pads)

      • this literally happens all the time

        • I know, and it will keep happening if we just pay for it…my question is, is it fair/are you happy to pay for it?

          • @helpme: id pay and never use that guy again
            clearly they sucked at it

            also, some things are really hard to diangose.

      • Have you ever taken a car to a mechanic? You know you do have to pay right, whether you're happy or not.

  • +19

    Yet people go to a doctor, get a bullshit, almost non-existent or wrong diagnosis and just pay them regardless. Why is it that some people get paid regardless of their information good or bad, but other people, oh no, I'm not paying them for that…

    Pay the man. You called them out and they had to take time off other jobs to drive all the way to your house, open up and test things. Now if they did it over the phone or you took the remote to them and they told you how to re-learn to system and remote and then still wanted to charge you, you have a case, but not for calling them to your house.

    This is the same as the aresehole that bring their cars into work and then get all shitty and indignant when I charge them for the 2 hours we spent diagnosing a fault on their car that they asked us to do, only to get Uncle Ian to fix it for a slab of piss and a box of darts.

      • +11

        purposefully

        Can you prove without a doubt that your tradie purposely gave you a wrong diagnosis?

        Sounds more like your just in a whiny mood after getting a bill for something you could of done yourself from the beginning.

        • -1

          Can you prove without a doubt that your tradie purposely gave you a wrong diagnosis?

          No, you're right, I can't. It's speculation, but let me ask you, what's more likely, the guy gave a misleading diagnosis so he can make more money or the PCB board just decided it wanted to work again after he left?

          Sounds more like your just in a whiny mood after getting a bill for something you could of done yourself from the beginning.

          Nope, had the guy just resynced the remote, I wouldn't have complained. Lazy man tax.

          • +9

            @helpme: Can you be 100% sure that the PCB is actually 100% working and also not intermittently faulty?

            Lazy man tax.

            Yeah, for you.

            • -1

              @El cheepo: Well we'll have to wait and see won't we :)

              • +11

                @helpme: Why don’t you get a second independent tradesman out to test if the PCB board is working and not pay him too 👍🏽

                • -2

                  @El cheepo:

                  Why don’t you get a second independent tradesman out to test if the PCB board is working and not pay him too

                  Why? All lights are on, no faulty indication light. Again, if it continues to work, what's more probable:

                  The remote just needed resyncing

                  The PCB was faulty for a period of time and apparently not even turning on when they came to look at it but then worked perfectly after 2 days later when I went up there

                  • +14

                    @helpme: If you had put as much effort into trying to resolve your AC issues yourself as you are putting in this thread about not wanting to pay someone, you wouldn’t be in this situation.

                    • @El cheepo: I put effort because I posted on a forum, if people take time to respond to me, i will take time to respond back

                      • +3

                        @helpme: That is much appreciated.

                        But the point remains, if you had expended this much energy on trying to fix it yourself, you wouldn’t of got billed $200.

                        • -1

                          @El cheepo:

                          But the point remains, if you had expended this much energy on trying to fix it yourself, you wouldn’t of got billed $200.

                          100% agree, but that's probably the same with any other repairs I've gotten done tbh, although I didn't have any issues paying because they at least mostly correctly diagnosed it and fixed it. As I said, lazy man tax :)

                          Thanks for your input though, I will continue to monitor it before making an accusation.

    • +5

      only to get Uncle Ian to fix it for a slab of piss and a box of darts.

      Wish I could give another +1 just for this.

      • +3

        I added another on your behalf (and mine).

  • +2

    Who is this repairs over the phone guy

    • -2

      The GOAT, he does board repairs

    • Probably logisense

  • +3

    I can understand where you're coming from - it's the result that matters, not the labour. Doesn't matter that the tradie took time off other jobs and drove out to your place if the diagnosis and solution were completely off.

    So what happens when you refuse to pay? The tradie may try to get you to pay through small claims or sell the debt to debt recovery agencies (probably unlikely), they may harass you for payment, or take malicious action as they know your address. I guess the question is whether your principles and $200 are worth the potential hassle.

    • +2

      Thanks, it's not even results based, he could be way off and I'd be like, that's fine let's try something else. It's the fact that they said something is broken when it wasn't and all it needed was resyncing.

      So what happens when you refuse to pay?

      Thanks for the info.

  • What brand air con is it?

    • -1

      Breezair

  • +14

    Pay up, and use this opportunity to do a public review naming the dodgy diagnosis owner, and do another review naming and praising the business who did the free 'try this' remote repair option. Basically use the lost $200 to cost the fwit $200+ in lost future business, reward the other dude equally or more

    • +1

      Cheers!

    • +7

      This is the answer I think.
      There was a call-out fee. You knew there was a call-out fee. The call-out fee does not come with a guarantee of an accurate diagnosis.
      Pay the fee - then let the world know what actually happened.

      • -1

        "We had a look, we couldn't find anything wrong, maybe call someone else", okay thanks for your advice, here's your call out fee. I'm not a Karen that would have a go at them in this situation, I've paid people to repair something they thought was the issue but wasn't and wasn't salty about it in the slightest.

        Lying about it? That's a different story…

        • +6

          Lying about it? That's a different story…

          What prove do you have he was lying?

          • -1

            @CurlCurl:

            What prove do you have he was lying?

            Nothing, it's based on:

            1) him saying it wasn't working at all, light wasn't on which was false when I went up there
            2) the second person I called didn't sound surprised when I told him what happened

            • +8

              @helpme:

              Nothing,

              Precisely.

              • -1

                @deva5610:

                Precisely.

                So you're saying the alternative, which is it wasn't working the day he came around but was just magically on less than 48 hours later and the aircon just started working again after 1 attempt at resyncing the remote is more likely?

  • -1

    Well, this situation of owing $200 could be worse - I once had a commercial investment property - that had a Lennox 5kw split system unit on the roof which was intermittently not working, but power cycling usually solved the problem. Historically, the tenant wasn't an easy person to deal with by the agent - quite aggressive in their communication. Hocking Stuart commercial called a repair company who sent out 2 people to diagnose the problem (without informing me until after this had occurred), they spent an hour or two cleaning the unit etc but not really finding anything obviously wrong since the issue was intermittent. They subsequently sent a bill to the agent for about $1000 for the callout and "servicing" the unit which the agent auto-paid out of the rent. One month later I ripped out the unit and replaced it with a 7kw Mitsubishi Heavy Industries unit (cost was around $2500 installed) - never had an issue after that. After that, I moved the property to be managed by Ray White Commercial.

    • -1

      That sucks, but honestly, I wouldn't have an issue with this. You replacing the unit and not having any issues did mean the unit was faulty, they at least tried fixing it before just suggesting outright to replace it and even if they did, it was faulty.

      I was shown a pic and told about how the PCB board wasn't even turning on and it needs to be replaced. Completely false though.

      • The repair company didn't suggest I replace the unit - I made that decision myself. I bought the replacement unit myself, and had it installed by an installer I had used for previous installs.

        The repair company was likely more than happy to come out whenever they called by the agent, power cycle and "service the unit", and bill accordingly $1000 for two people's labour time and callout each time.

        When it comes to appliances I don't call people to repair stuff. As a general rule, it isn't worth it. After the callout fee, and labour costs every 15 minutes, the cost is usually quite high. If I have an issue with something, I look online myself and see what I can do to fix it myself. If I can't fix it - I just replace the unit and move on.

  • +3

    You're paying for the callout, for the person's time, not the correct diagnosis. If they actually did the work to fix the issue they diagnosed, that would be different.

    If they did the work and didn't fix the issue, I'd say don't pay for the work. But you're not, you're paying for them to come out and assess, which even if they got wrong they still did.

    • +1

      To me, there's a difference between being wrong and lying about it. Ive had a case where they did the work and didn't fix the issue, the guy was wrong and I was fine to pay. He then came out and fixed the real issue, and again, I was happy to pay.

      If it was a common wrong diagnosis, again, no problems.

      • +1

        Well we don't know if they were lying, they might just be stupid.
        "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity"

        If you hire someone to fix the issue and they do not fix it, I'd say that they have not completed the service you've requested, thus you shouldn't pay for that service.
        In this instance, you hired someone to perform an assessment. Which they did, so they should be paid.

        Them being wrong simply means that if you hired them to fix the issue, they would have hard a harder time, especially if they initially 'fixed' the issue that wasn't present. But I still think that the hiring for assessment has been completed, thus should be paid for. Even though the person was wrong. And maybe malicious. Or maybe stupid. :)

        • +1

          Well we don't know if they were lying, they might just be stupid.

          Correct, but how do you explain "PCB board not working, it doesn't even turn on" when it's clearly on to stupidity? and if a tradesman is that stupid that even if it was on, he failed to resync the remote, should they really be compensated?

          In this instance, you hired someone to perform an assessment.

          Actually, I wanted them to fix it.

      • +1

        Hi OP
        From the replies most of the people suggest any of so called tradie can come do nothing , try to mislead you and collect a call out fee.

        They could be stupid, no experience
        Still get in and collect call out fee
        They need not have any competency certificate still come in collect a call out fee.
        People are comparing this to a cerified mechanical service.
        In future call some from a reputed company who may charge you more but you will have better service and support.
        Seems there are more stupid tradies around that honest competent ones.
        Always check the reviews and make sure you review the services you received

  • I have an Actron reverse cycle ducted system with 7 zones and can be controlled by the wifi app. on my phone.
    Occasionally the connection drops out and after the initial call to Actron support they told me how to reboot the wifi connection.

  • I would call him and say the remoted needed repairing and not a new PCB.. and say I'll give you $100 for the callout fee to keep him happy see what he says ..

    • +1

      ….the sound of hanging up….

  • +10

    Very lazy diagnosis, doesn't deserve to get paid, as didn't actually render a service.

    • -5

      I think so too, but it seems they've convinced the public enough that they can just show up, take a shit, leave, and charge you for it :)

      • Well they probably told you there was a callout fee that you need to pay no matter what. You'd think they would want to waive it to avoid a negative review of their incompetence, but you'd be surprised how little some tradies care.

        • -1

          Well they probably told you there was a callout fee that you need to pay no matter what

          They didn't, but that seems to be the (almost) general consensus…no matter what

  • +2

    Ever taken your vehicle to a dealer with a problem, mechanic plugs in the computer, scans for codes. Sorry sir, there are no fault codes so your car is fine. That's $250 thanks. Same deal, you pay the $250,

    • -1

      Yeah, not an issue. Here's your $250. Take your vehicle to the dealer to have them say your engine needs to be replaced when it doesn't AND charging $250? C'mon

  • Have his technician license revoked if he doesn't waive the fee.

    • +1

      "technician' the most overrated word today

  • +8

    I think you need to take it up with the tradie who visited. It's fair enough to say OK how do you explain your diagnosis and quote? How exactly did you make a mistake like that? Why were the lights off but now they're on? Without saying he tried to scam you… just ask for an explanation for why he said what he did. Depending on how he answers you can then say you're not especially happy to pay a call out fee for such poor quality service. He may suggest a solution or not. You may have to pay but definitely let him know you're on to him and possibly mention reviews.
    I personally can't stand lazy scamming tradies.

    • +5

      How exactly did you make a mistake like that? Why were the lights off but now they're on? Without saying he tried to scam you… just ask for an explanation for why he said what he did

      Thanks, I'm going to do that Monday. I won't accuse him but just ask them what they thought was wrong with the PCB

      I personally can't stand lazy scamming tradies.

      But surprisingly a lot of penny pinching ozbargainers can

  • How about you pay him half? He isn't going to bother coming after you for $100.

  • +2

    If you didn't get quoted for a call out fee, then you are paying for his work. Guy was either incompetent or a scammer, so he shouldn't get paid.

    • +1

      Guy was either incompetent or a scammer, so he shouldn't get paid.

      It's crazy we can't agree on this

      • So you thought he was coming out because he's a nice guy who gives free advice to strangers?
        The onus was on you to ensure you were happy with what this was going to cost. Who goes into a business transaction without agreeing to the terms, then tries to argue whether a payment is warranted?

  • +8

    Hello!

    OK… If the technician misdiagnosed the issue, take note of these points…

    Misrepresentation: If the technician made a false or misleading representation regarding the issue with your air conditioner, this could be a breach of the ACL. You may have a right to claim a remedy under the ACL, which could include having the issue properly diagnosed and fixed at no additional cost.

    Consumer Guarantees: The ACL provides guarantees to consumers, including guarantees that services are provided with due care and skill. If the technician did not provide the service with due care and skill, you may have a right to a remedy, which could include having the issue correctly diagnosed and resolved without additional charges.

    No Payment for Unsatisfactory Service: If the technician provided a service that did not meet the consumer guarantees or if they failed to provide the service with due care and skill, you may have a right to withhold payment or request a refund for the service provided.

    Dispute Resolution: If you have an issue with the technician's service and are unable to resolve it directly with them, you can contact the relevant consumer protection agency in your state or territory for guidance and assistance in resolving the dispute. In some cases, this may involve mediation or legal action.

    Though the call-out fee, we can nut out like this:
    Service Agreement: If you had a clear service agreement or contract with the technician that outlines the terms and conditions, including any fees for call-outs or diagnostics, you may be bound by those terms. If the agreement specifies that a call-out fee is payable regardless of the outcome, you may be required to pay it.

    Consumer Guarantees: Australian Consumer Law (ACL) sets out consumer guarantees that services must be provided with due care and skill. If the technician's service did not meet these guarantees (e.g., due to a misdiagnosis or negligence), you may have grounds to dispute the call-out fee. In such cases, you may argue that the service provided was unsatisfactory and did not meet the required standard.

    So, do not pay… If he demands payment, tell him that the issue was resolved with the re-pairing of the remote and you are not only not going to pay the bill, but are LIVID that he tried to deceived you, intentionally or not.

    • -1

      Why, out of all places, do so many people on Ozbargain think a payment is due? Like at least there are people who argue I can't prove he misrepresented and that's a very fair point but people don't want to discuss that either.

      Service Agreement: If you had a clear service agreement or contract with the technician that outlines the terms and conditions, including any fees for call-outs or diagnostics, you may be bound by those terms. If the agreement specifies that a call-out fee is payable regardless of the outcome, you may be required to pay it.

      Not sure…just called them out, didn't discuss call out fees or anything

      Thanks for this!

      • +2

        You've spent all day on this issue. It sounds like you've already made your mind up. There was no value to you so just don't pay.

        • -1

          See this is an argument, for or against they use laws and reasoning, not false equivalences like other people.

        • A day aint much here in the scheme of things.. There's troll threads of purely made up scenarios that go on for weeks.On topics thrashed to a pulp over years of the same discussion, and by 'new' members.

  • Offer what you think is fair for a call out and time spent diagnosing the issue even if incorrect, minus the time you spent finding the correct solution & see if tradie accepts

  • +3

    WTF? You asked everyone opinion then go about arguing that you shouldn’t have to pay! Why ask if you already knew your answer???

    • +1

      You asked everyone opinion then go about arguing that you shouldn’t have to pay!

      Of course, it's a forum, I'm very opened to change my mind, as long as it's a convicing reason. Most of the reasons have been false equivalencies which I didn't disagree with them, that is, if they did a bad job or unable to fix the issue, then I would pay. The key difference here, is that there is a high probability they lied about the situation, in which case, why should someone pay for that? The people who have a go at me don't seem to be having a go at the other people who post consumer laws as to why I don't have to pay

  • +1

    We need a poll on this

  • +2

    The concept of callout fee is not competitive especially when it is $250. Secondly they hold one to ransom and unable to get second opinion in relation to parts costs and correct diagnosis!
    Petrol and time does not cost $250 as tradie is doing the rounds with many appointments and he did not come specifically for one job!

    • Scrolled comments looking for this! Why aren't more people saying that the call out fee here is too much?

      • OP was free to choose a cheaper tradie if they wanted.
        After eating in a restaurant do you argue over whether the charge is agreeable to you? You could have eaten somewhere cheaper, but you didn't, so you pay.

        • Undoubtably. Just saying the call out fee is expensive.

          • @churlish: What would your minimum callout be if you were a tradie?

            I wouldn't expect an airtasker to come around for less than that.

        • -1

          Again, what's with people misreading the information? Read my posts I'm happy to pay him if he actually repaired the remote or even said he had no idea it's not the call out fee.

          • @helpme: You've just attracted a high number of tradies to this thread who are circling wagons because they likely do this type of crap themselves.

          • @helpme: My point is that it makes no difference whether you're happy or not, if you called him out you have to pay his call out fee.
            How you deal with the quality of his service is another matter.

            I'm not a tradie btw, and complain about the prices of everything. But when you put yourself in the other guy's shoes, you get a different perspective.

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