I was getting some work done on my car last week, and the mechanic gave me a quote that seemed pretty reasonable. But when I went to pick it up, suddenly there were all these extra charges tacked on—stuff they never mentioned before. I mean, I get that sometimes things come up, but shouldn't they at least tell you clearly beforehand? Felt kinda shady, you know... Has something like this happened to anyone else here?
Yeah, had something similar happen to me a while back when I got some roofing supplies quoted. They gave me a pretty decent estimate at first, but when I went to settle up, suddenly there's extra charges for delivery and some 'special handling' fee they conveniently forgot to mention earlier. I asked them about it right away, and they kinda shrugged it off like it was obvious. Felt sketchy to me too.
Since then, I've started asking for quotes in writing or at least an email confirmation before agreeing to anything. Might seem a bit overkill at first, but it's saved me from those surprise charges more than once. Maybe next time you're getting work done, ask them upfront if that's the total price or if there might be other stuff added later...could help avoid that awkward feeling when you pick up your car.
I've had my fair share of vague quotes too, especially when dealing with contractors or suppliers. Your roofing story sounds all too familiar—it's almost like some companies bank on customers not questioning those extra charges. I manage a few properties, and believe me, I've seen it all: "environmental fees," "administrative surcharges," even something called a "convenience fee" (still scratching my head over that one).
Getting everything in writing is definitely the way to go. It might feel overly cautious at first, but it's saved me from plenty of headaches down the line. I usually ask them explicitly if the quote covers everything—labor, materials, delivery, disposal fees—and if there's anything else that might pop up later. If they hesitate or give vague answers, that's usually a red flag for me.
Funny enough, I once had a plumber who quoted me a flat rate for replacing some pipes. When the invoice came in, there was an extra charge labeled "miscellaneous fittings." When I asked him about it, he said something along the lines of "Oh yeah, those are standard extras." Standard extras? Isn't that an oxymoron? We had a good laugh about it afterward, but needless to say, I didn't call him back again.
I think part of the issue is that many businesses assume customers won't push back on smaller charges. But those little fees add up quickly—especially if you're managing multiple projects or properties. So yeah, always better safe than sorry...and never underestimate the power of politely asking questions upfront.
