Canadian contractor's $778 cabin visit fee rejected by tribunal

Vernon contractor Aslan Electrical, Plumbing, Gasfitting, Refrigeration and Sheetmetal Services, billed a customer $778 for a site visit meant to produce a quote for a propane fridge, then took her to the online small claims court when she refused to pay. The British Columbia Civil Resolution Tribunal dismissed the claim in its entirety, finding no binding contract existed and that the customer reasonably expected a free site visit, since no evidence showed she was told of any charge. A second decision issued the same day went the contractor’s way, showing that signed work orders and clearly stated charges matter here.A request for a propane fridge quote at a summer cabin ended with a surprise $778 invoiceAccording to iNFOnews, Melanie Moore asked the company for a quote to install a propane fridge at her summer cabin. A technician visited and some time later phoned her with a price. Moore found it was more than she had budgeted for and decided not to go ahead.The company later sent her a bill. It covered five and a half hours of labour and $71 for driving 75 kilometres, plus tax and parts. Moore told the tribunal she had understood the visit was only to prepare an estimate and did...