Mastercrete - unethical pricing

To whom it may concern,

I was looking at installing pre-cast walling at my house in Jeffreys Bay after a recent incident where criminals entered my open yard and damaged/stole my copper waterpipes on the outside of my house. I looked on the internet for service providers and after considering at all the options available, I decided on the Mastercrete product. I requested a quote, and Craig Vance, Sales and Installations, contacted me and prepared a quote. Because I am not staying permanently in Jeffreys Bay, I gave him estimated distances (48m on front wall, 10m on side wall). He did not go out to the site to do the final measurements. He requested a plan of the site, which I sent to him. Based on the plan and the gates to be installed, we discussed the fact that the meters of walling to be installed will be less, and he confirmed that the cost will be reduced pro-rated. I also requested a discount and at that point the feedback is that they will only give 2,5% discount. Although I felt that it could be better based on such a large order, I accepted the quote. After the job was completed, I had my neighbour checking the quality, and he sent me photos of work that was not completed correctly and professionally (which I can supply if requested). I informed Craig of such issues, which he then indicated that they will go and fix. When I got the final invoice, I got a shock. The pricing was not adjusted pro-rated. Pricing per meter for instance went up from R842,46/meter to R987,49/meter on the on product and from R796,41/meter to R953,17/meter on the other. The total pricing came down by about R1500 while I worked it out that it should have dropped in the region of R9000. For 8 meters of walling less the price just dropped by about R500 (Below is a view of the changes and what I believe it should be). I informed Craig that I am not happy with the final invoice, but he then told me that they had to do extra work due to the soil type and they worked an extra day which affected the price / meter, that cost per meter increases if the distance is less, etc. etc. etc.. He then discussed it with his boss and they came down with about R2800 - Still about +R5000 difference. I indicated to him that I am not happy with it, but I have paid the full outstanding amount. A day later I received a call from the owner indicating that he wants a happy customer and that he will look into it. As I am writing this response he has not yet phoned me with his final response. According to me the whole costing approach was UNETHICAL as I was informed that the price will be dropped pro-rated as the distance drop, which did not happen.

So, firstly, do not trust any quote you get from Mastercrete. Make sure you have it in writing of how the final costing will be calculated. Secondly, Make sure you get a final quote with correct distances before you accept the quote, as unethical approach will happen afterwards if no final quote is received before the job is started. Thirdly, although I am happy with the final product, the original delivery was not completed professionally, but after the recall, the final product was acceptable.

So be aware when dealing with Mastercrete in Port Elizabeth.

Original Quote Final Invoice New Final Invoice My View Length Cost R/meter Length Cost R/meter Length Cost R/meter Plain Grey Walling 1,8m 10,0 7 964,11 796,41 7,5 7 148,79 953,17 7,5 6 822,23 909,63 5 973,08 Sandstone Walling 1,5m 48,0 40 438,25 842,46 40,5 39 993,18 987,49 40,5 37 741,73 931,89 34 119,77 Gates 22 205,31 22 205,31 22 205,31 22 205,31 Total before VAT 70 607,67 69 347,28 66 769,27 62 298,17 VAT 10 591,15 10 402,09 10 015,39 9 344,72 Total 81 198,82 79 749,37 76 784,66 71 642,89 2,5% Discount 2 029,97 1 993,73 1 919,62 1 791,07 Final 79 168,85 77 755,64 74 865,04 69 851,82