As I alluded to in one of the threads, I have had a problem with a gas installation company here, so I thought I would amuse you all with my little "tale of woe".
It started about 2 years ago. Natural gas is a new phenomenon in many places in Spain with most people using bottled gas. But the pipes were being brought to our estate and as an "introductory" offer, we were offered FREE INSTALLATION. About 20 of us on the estate signed up.
However, as they worked their way through the estate and the first installations were connected, those now hooked up were billed 230 euros for the installation. They contacted the company who stated in writing that this had been an error and funds would be returned. A few of those affected didn't trust the company and so went to their banks and recouped the money that way. The gas company took the 230 euros for a 2nd time and threatened legal action against anyone who didn't pay.
The 2nd excuse they came up with was that this was a tax payable to the government and not for the installation. This was something that they had never mentioned previously. In the end, a meeting was called between the company and the affected residents, including myself. They now stated that although people had to pay this amount, they could claim it back later from the gas supplier.
At this stage, they had not done my installation. All they had done was bring a pipe as far as my house (about 5 metres of pipe). So I asked them directly - "Will I have to pay this amount". When they answered "Yes", I informed them of my decision to cancel - something we were also told we could do at any time.
My big mistake, of course, was not putting the cancellation in writing but as I had told them in person as they did not return to do the installation, I assumed they had got the message, so to speak. I heard nothing more for 18 months until about 2 months ago when I get a summons from the Magistrates court to appear in front of a judge for "non payment" for the installation, even though the installation was FREE, was later cancelled and was never actually done. In simple terms they want me to pay them for something they DIDN'T do.
So last week, I went along armed with my photos and witnesses to make my case. I am still waiting for the judges decision which I am told will be received in the next couple of weeks. Sadly we still have our fair share of bandits over here and this company are definitely in that category. I will let you all know how I get on.
As a final note, I should say that those who were forced to pay the 230 euros are still trying to get their money back 2 years later. None of them have succeeded.
Interesting, as I had a not so dissimilar initial visit from them about last year (clad in all orange and blue making them look like Repsol guys). I swiftly ejected them from my property. I hate to be the pessimist, my experience would say hope for the best but expect the worst. Hope you get the right decision
Interesting, as I had a not so dissimilar initial visit from them about last year (clad in all orange and blue making them look like Repsol guys). I swiftly ejected them from my property. I hate to be the pessimist, my experience would say hope for the best but expect the worst. Hope you get the right decision
Their argument is not that I should pay anyway, but they are claiming they did the installation and then I chose a different as supplier, meaning they did not get their payment from Endesa. This is clearly a false argument as I didn't go ahead with the installation.
But as we know, here in Spain anything can happen.
If you're part of a group of claimants/disgruntled parties, that presumably will give you a bit more clout, no?
Did you have a lawyer at the court proceedings? Did they think you were well positioned?
I've had my fair share of little legal disputes and I know how stressful they can be. Feel for you.......
My dispute is different to the rest. They are trying to get back what the paid. My situation is that the company are suing me for not paying for the installation, even though they didn't do the installation. I think I am on solid ground.
I didn't take a lawyer but I did take the legal representative of the Residents Association as a witness. I tried to get a lawyer paid for on my contents insurance but as the claim was for less than 2000 euros, I am not covered for that.
What will be, will be. I am confident that I am in the right but whether that means I will win is a different matter.
Just to add to my fun and games, I got a registered letter from the town hall today, threatening me with action for not paying my council tax bill last year.
Hopefully when I visit them tomorrow and show them both my stamped receipt and my credit card slip as proof of payment in October last year, they will back down.
Just to add to my fun and games, I got a registered letter from the town hall today, threatening me with action for not paying my council tax bill last year.
Hopefully when I visit them tomorrow and show them both my stamped receipt and my credit card slip as proof of payment in October last year, they will back down.
Do people in Spain pay it as a single payment or monthly / ten instalments as here? Its a lot of
money to pay in one go if its similar amounts to the Uk?
Just to add to my fun and games, I got a registered letter from the town hall today, threatening me with action for not paying my council tax bill last year.
Hopefully when I visit them tomorrow and show them both my stamped receipt and my credit card slip as proof of payment in October last year, they will back down.
Do people in Spain pay it as a single payment or monthly / ten instalments as here? Its a lot of
money to pay in one go if its similar amounts to the Uk?
It is a one off payment but we pay a fraction of what you pay in the UK. My annual council tax bill is just over 200 euros.
(Mind you, that's REALLY low for council tax, miles lower than France)
No such luck. I waved my pieces of paper but they told me this wasn't Council Tax. This is a tax for the sale of my garage space at the back end of last year. Ho hum.
(Mind you, that's REALLY low for council tax, miles lower than France)
No such luck. I waved my pieces of paper but they told me this wasn't Council Tax. This is a tax for the sale of my garage space at the back end of last year. Ho hum.
