Luanne Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 We had bronze casting for our dog's paw in December last year. It was quoted $150. There have been lots of communication in person and by email for the paint/ color details. We have been notified multiple times that it was ready, but there wasn't any changes made from the 2nd trip on. We made 5 trips so far to the shop. Last night we were notified that it's ready but the price is $250. This is 1st time that we were informed of a change from the initial quote. Our dog passed away and this is important to us but I feel the price situation is very odd. How would you handle this situation? We will go to the place this Saturday. Thanks for lending me your ear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minilover62 Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 I think that if they never told you about a change in price you are under no obligation of buying. When you say that you have been notified multiples times that it was ready, could it be that they are overcharging for the time that passed without you picking it up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 FIVE trips to the shop and the original quote was for the casting finished the way you wanted it? I would say thank you, but never mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 We showed up each time they told us it was ready, but the piece was just partially painted. So we didn't pick it up because it wasn't done. And after each trip, I'd follow up with an email with pictures. They said they'd fix it and the next time was the same. No changes to the piece. They appear a bit scatter -brained. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 If your original quote is in writing, I would remind them that all the delays causing inconvenience to YOU in no way justifies inflating the price; if you were not informed that they would increase the price without notifying you ahead of time, I can't see why you should be obligated to pay it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 I have the email with the quote in it that I can bring. Thanks for helping and siding with me on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 One way for any business to lose me as a customer is to pull that change in price routine. I also spread the work about them to anyone I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minilover62 Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 I think you have a lot of patience, but I would hate if you let this people take you for a ride. For what you say, I wouldn't even go on Saturday, they should be happy if you had the courtesy of call them and say, "Thanks but no thanks". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 Just like with this hobby, we know creative things cannot be rushed. We were ok with waiting. It was uncool to be sent in a loop and to have our time wasted multiple times. I'll let you know how things go. Thank you for your kind words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathi17 Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 I hope you can get it straightened out without too much more grief Luanne. I agree with everyone else, you are in the right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Could it be that the casting was $150 but the painting was additional? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 47 minutes ago, Sable said: Could it be that the casting was $150 but the painting was additional? In that case the additional cost ought to have been included in the original estimate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Call Judge Judy if they won't honor their original bid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 Nice. It could be that the painting is extra, she could have said this from the 2nd meeting on or in the emails for me to prepare though. I'll update you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 7 minutes ago, Luanne said: Nice. It could be that the painting is extra, she could have said this from the 2nd meeting on or in the emails for me to prepare though. I'll update you. It was her business to quote you a price in writing for ALL of the job, not just part of it, and then surprise you afterwards with a higher amount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 1 minute ago, havanaholly said: It was her business to quote you a price in writing for ALL of the job, not just part of it, and then surprise you afterwards with a higher amount. Yes. It all depends on exactly what was included in the original quote. If the quote was for the entire item with no mention of add-ons for paint, then you should not have to pay the extra, but if it only says $150 for the casting, she may have an argument for the additional painting cost. It's next to impossible for any of us to give you good advice without knowing precisely what the exchange between you was. Have you ever heard Judge Judy drill someone on DETAILS? The devil is in the details. If you feel you have a legal standing to sue for non-compliance of a contract, you could do so, but consider the cost of legal fees to do so. They will be well over $100, and if you lose the court case, you'll be out the $$ as well as the item. If you really want the item, it might be better to pay the extra $100 and then report the company to the Better Business Bureau. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 What Kathie said, especially that last bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 1 hour ago, KathieB said: Yes. It all depends on exactly what was included in the original quote. If the quote was for the entire item with no mention of add-ons for paint, then you should not have to pay the extra, but if it only says $150 for the casting, she may have an argument for the additional painting cost. It's next to impossible for any of us to give you good advice without knowing precisely what the exchange between you was. Have you ever heard Judge Judy drill someone on DETAILS? The devil is in the details. If you feel you have a legal standing to sue for non-compliance of a contract, you could do so, but consider the cost of legal fees to do so. They will be well over $100, and if you lose the court case, you'll be out the $$ as well as the item. If you really want the item, it might be better to pay the extra $100 and then report the company to the Better Business Bureau. This matter would fall under Small Claims Court. No lawyer needed. But there would be filing fees; depends on your county. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 Thank you for the advice. The quote says ' casting' next to it. I wish she let me know up front about the change in price so we could have made a decision. We, miniaturists are pretty good with paint ourselves. When we talked about the case for it, I told her I was a slightly crafty with paint. I hope it'd turn out well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fov Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 It's frustrating that the item in question has such sentimental value. That makes it harder to just walk away. Good luck! Let us know what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted September 15, 2016 Author Share Posted September 15, 2016 It's an emotional decision. I forgot to say also that we were given a January 2016 for delivery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted September 17, 2016 Author Share Posted September 17, 2016 Due to a festival there this weekend, traffic is crazy. We'll make the trip next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fov Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 What happened? Did you get it worked out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 We had something else came up and haven't had a chance to stop by yet. I am still stressing about it. Thanks for checking back on me. I will update this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted November 20, 2016 Author Share Posted November 20, 2016 Updates: I notified them that I have been busy and I couldn't arrange to stop by. My husband was ok with going alone but he was willing to pay the new price to just be done with this. I preferred to have the conversation about the price in person but since my husband might go there a lone, I decided a phone conversation was my next best choice. I have made 3 phone calls, left one message and one email. No word from the shop. After 2 more weeks, I followed up with the below email with a timeframe of my availability. ( In the past we learned that when they change their business hours, it's simply a sign on the shop door, and not on their websites. And we wasted our time on a trip there.) "I reviewed the original email with the quote of $150. We were not informed of another price. We can talk more about this in person next week. What are your hours for Friday and Saturday please? I don't like confrontations and believe in being nice. All of my communication was neutral in tone. Still no word. ... Today we went there. The shop owner was talking to someone outside the store and the store door was closed. She asked me to wait outside the shop. I waited a few minutes. They continued their conversation. It didn't seem it'd end any time soon. I came over and asked the shop owner if someone else was inside that could help me. She explained the other person was a city official and their conversation would end soon. We went to the shop, she handed me the paw, informed me that she was not going to make more changes and I can pay the original price. The silence was very awkward. Another person came in after me and she was very friendly with him, asking about his family and such. The paint didn't come out how I wanted it, so I asked her if there are products from Home Depot that I could get to change it. She said it's just normal paint so I can look up normal products to change it. I signed the bill, thanked her and left. ... She was so friendly and even cried with me in the first two meetings. I am not sure why her attitude changed. She could have at least acknowledged my calls/ emails like professional business. Perhaps something else was going on with the business, thus the city official. It was 8 months later than the original delivery time, the price was fair but the experience could have been better. Thanks again for listening. L. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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