An invoice for an estimate

I hate that, but, every once in a while you get someone that feels they need to charge to tell you what they will charge. The economy is not good enough for that either

Next time I guess I'll have to request an estimate for an estimate.

Were you given prior notice of a minimum charge to examine the instrument and to provide a diagnosis?

SOP for the mechanics shops in my area, also dentist, attorneys, tax accountants and computer techs.
We suggested getting compensated for researching and pricing complicated boundary survey proposal to local government and got laughed at. They even turned around and used our scope to advertise job to other surveyors.

Unless they had a contract, I would advise them to pound sand.

I can understand charging for an estimate to repair something, because half the time you just about have to fix it in order to be able to generate a good estimate. But for a simple calibration? I'd have a problem with that.

Try to rationalize it this way - That $129 that you spend now might just save you from really getting burned by them later if you ever decide to use them again. I would gladly pay $129 right now to have prevented some of the more costly lessons that I have learned over the years. Come to think of it, it would be quite a long list if I could do it.

In all fairness to them, I'm sure that they had some labor in it to prepare that quote. For some of us who invest time in preparing estimates or quotes, that is what we consider the cost of doing business. For some others, it seems like that is a large part of their business ...

Nope, I talked with them already and they said they would dismiss the charges.

I would send them payment, and send themain invoice for $129 dollars for "Processing undisclosed fees". if they do not pay, never go back. 🙂

As a dealer I can see it both ways I guess. We do not have an estimate fee...however sometimes we wish we did. For example, you bring a Trimble 5600 in with communication issues. This may take us 2-3 hours to figure out what is causing the issues if it is not something obvious. We may end up taking out radios, changing/re-changing settings, etc. Everyone should get paid for their work.

I think 129 is a little steep though. I've seen/heard of them being more around the 75.00 although the Trimble dealer in my area is 179.00 for an estimate.

One thing I would wonder about is why they were so high. They are probably doing something a little different than your current repair center. For example, any repair canter can put a Leica 1200 Robot on the stand and run a field calibration. Only certified Leica Service Centers can hook these instruments up through a CPU and run a complete manufacturer service. Check and Adjust = 15 minutes. Full Service = 4+ hours. Check and Adjust = 6-7 things checked. Full Service = 113 things checked, twice.

I have charged for a proposal before. When they first call asking for a quote to survey their 10 or whatever acres, I'll throw out a range and explain to them that there are too many unknown variables at this time to give them a hard number. If they are serious about having the work done and need a hard number, I'll be glad to provide a fixed fee quote, but it will take some time and the proposal will cost $200. Sign my proposal and I discount the proposal prep fee from their invoice. It's worked out well for those that need the quote. Mostly my calls are about when can it be done and there's not much discussion of fees, just do it.

SD

I can't dispute anything you said, but I think a larger issue is that the customer wasn't told this up front. What does it take to say sure we'll do an estimate, but be aware that our estimate may be anywhere between $50 to $150 depending on how complicated it is. Your customers will appreciate that much more than throwing an undisclosed bill at them after the estimate.

PROFITS FOR EVERYONE

Evidently EVERYTHING is profit motive now.

Maybe cashiers at Walmart will eventually add a "surcharge", for the use of the cash register, air conditioning, lighting, music and personnel.

I agree completely.

Bingo. I ask a lot of questions before doing business with anyone. I've never asked if there was a charge for an estimate. In some cases it makes sense but failing to make it clear up front is inexcusable.

That was my whole issue, I was dumb founded when I opened the invoice.. thinking "What could this possibly be for?"

They excused the bill and I don't have to pay, so at least I'm satisfied at this point.

> A few weeks ago I had one of the techs drop the instrument off at a local dealer to get a quote on calibrating the unit. When they called with the quote it was 4 times what I'm used to paying, so I told them no thanks and took it to my regular shop.

They are probably giving you a hard time because you took it across the street.

Since my survey estimates are based on doing the work by the hour I sometimes have people ask for a firm lump sum fee. I can somewhat sympathize with the repair shop that started this thread in that given all the unknowns that could take hours to prepare. In the past I've offered to provide a lump sum fee quote in return for a non-refundable $125 up front fee, applicable to the final billing. I think maybe one guy took me up on it years ago. Maybe.

You did a diagnosis, which I would expect to pay for. You then gave an estimate for the repair, which I would not expect to pay for.

Estimating projects is part of the job, and you have to eat the costs in the course of a normal line if work. Occasionally, you have to develop a full scope to be able to produce that estimate. Charge for the diagnosis, investigation, and scoping, but not a simple estimate. Now, if they want an accurate estimate, sometimes you have to pay for the diagnosis, investigation and scoping.