Funeral Director charging more for headstone work than I signed for?

[EXC]

Re: Funeral Director charging more for headstone work than I signed for?

The Freedom of Information Act doesn't cover companies, only public bodies. And it certainly doesn't cover the personal information of individuals in any event.

[Swampey]

Re: Funeral Director charging more for headstone work than I signed for?

In answer to your questions

1. True...When arranging a funeral you get an estimate of costs, where as if its masonary work the funeral director would have had a masons report prior to any order being drawn up, so if thats the price you ve signed for thats the price you should be paying. If they have made the mistake then they should be the ones to swallow the cost.

2. Any increase in costs weather it be funeral or masonary related should be authorised by the client or who ever is paying the bill....
Think of when you take a car in for a service, that is all you are signing up for... any additional work requires the clients authorisation.

3.. If you dont pay the additional cost, depends on the size of the company ??? they will probably send a few letters about the outstanding balance which can be pretty nasty.. they certainly wont remove the stone as its not there property and that would be suicide for them as press would have a field day.

Pay wot the memorial order states and let them whistle for the rest... let the letters for the outstanding balance come... write one letter back telling them you arnt paying it and if they are apart of any trade groups then CC the letter to them as well as your local trading standards..Might even get them investigating

PS...someone stated here that the mason had to remove the headstone because it might have been unstable, but any good mason would have noticed this and tested the stone when doing the report before undertaking anywork... its just another way of making a fast buck

[alham]

Re: Funeral Director charging more for headstone work than I signed for?

Had they sent me a letter apologising for the extra cost, and suggesting a monthly payment I would of been inclined to accept it. Instead they send a bill and request immediate payment. This IMO is bad business, they know they are in the wrong. But lets not get carried away with minor details here. The fact is, is the document I "signed" and agreed to a legally binding contract for the sum of £200.66? Can they increase that fee without my authorisation and still be legally entitled to it? Those are the 2 main questions that I need answered.

You are right. Whatever the reason for extras above and beyond the contracted sum should have been agreed BEFORE or as soon as the issue arose. You are totally within your rights to refuse to pay extra money.