Business owner wanting payment for not confirming an appointment

[Kammy4106]

What is the name of your state?Rhode Island

My husband called around to businesses to help us with a computer problem. After speaking for a few minutes with one man, it was decided that my husband would call to let the guy know if we could make an appointment for a two days later. My husband was not able to call him to confirm and the next day the gentleman called to say that since he had reserved the date, we would have to pay for holding the space.

My husband was kind (yes, I did overhear the conversation) but told him that even if he was able to call and confirm he wouldn't have been available on that particular day. The man started to yell at him and told him that he lost pay for the time he set aside and demanded payment. We did not confirm any appointment.

That is how the last coversation ended. Today we received a bill in the mail for $45 - for 3 hours of consulation. We did not sign a contract and he said nothing up front about paying for a held spot. Are we liable for this $45 dollars?

 

[djohnson]

If he wasn't told he would be charged for holding and they required nothing to hold the time, then no. How long did the person say he would hold the spot open for? The person has no proof of anything and it couldn't win even if it was worth going to court. I would ignore him or ask for verification that you owe the debt just like you have no idea what he is talking about.

 

[Kammy4106]

It was all in a three day time span. A phone conversation on Monday. My husband wasn't able to call and confirm on Tuesday and the spot was held open for Wednesday afternoon.

My husband called and asked him why he was being charged a consultation fee. He said that he had to charge something because no actual work was done but by not making the appointment he lost 3 hours of what could POTENTIALLY be 3 hours of work. Can you believe it! POTENTIALLY!!

When my husband asked for proof the guy hung up. I thought that was the last of it but we received another notification of the bill and a threat that if we didn't pay it he would put it into a collection agency. I don't think there is any agency out there willing to take this one on.

If it gets any worse we will call a lawyer to talk about what we can do.

 

[djohnson]

When did your husband tell him he would call back by if he couldn't make it? It doesn't sound like it would hold on the surface, however, having a 24 hour notice to cancel would be standard and you might fall under that. A lot will depend on the actual conversation and the wording.