Ireland Customers wanting receipts

[Risteard]

I had a customer that I've done a bit of work for over the past couple of years ring yesterday morning looking to get some lights etc. replaced which I had advised him about a number of months ago. I told him that I wasn't available from Saturday onwards for another 3 weeks or so, so it would be doubtful whether I could get it done before then.

Anyhow, I managed to get there late yesterday afternoon when I was nearby and replace them.

Just got a text today: "Hi Richard, can you keep me receipts for any materials bought for work please. Thanks <name redacted due to GDPR>.

Obviously there is absolutely no way that he can have my invoices from the wholesalers, but how would you respond?

 

[rolyberkin]

I always list parts and labour anyway but suggest if you don't, split an invoice into parts and labour and send him a copy. I would not supply original reciepts.

 

[Deleted member 105166]

The only reason I can possibly think your customer may be asking for receipts you have for purchases you have made, would be if you are not vat registered, but your customer is vat registered.
In this case, your customer may want to process the receipts as if he has made the materials purchases, reclaiming vat on the materials. If however you are vat registered, this would not apply, as he would reclaim the vat shown on your invoice.

 

[Risteard]

The only reason I can possibly think your customer may be asking for receipts you have for purchases you have made, would be if you are not vat registered, but your customer is vat registered.
In this case, your customer may want to process the receipts as if he has made the materials purchases, reclaiming vat on the materials. If however you are vat registered, this would not apply, as he would reclaim the vat shown on your invoice.

Personally I suspect he's just being a tightwad and trying to see that I haven't charged him more for materials than I bought them for. But I don't recall ever telling him that I was some sort of sadistic charity which sells items not for profit so I really don't get where he's coming from.

I'm going to quote GDPR and say that other customers' details are on these invoices as their materials are also there, also some materials were taken from stock from the stores and anyway his contract is with me and not my suppliers.

EDIT: I've sent him a message back stating: "

Hi <name redacted>, invoices from wholesalers contain other customers details also and therefore are subject to GDPR (as materials are bought for numerous jobs together); also some materials are taken from stock in our stores and not just purchased at the time. Materials sold by us to you are included in our invoice but suppliers invoices to us are ours and have to be kept for tax reasons. Regards, Richard."​

 

[ipf]

That's a pretty good answer to your own question......and I totally agree with you.
I wonder what your wholesaler would say if you asked him for that info? He's buying and selling, you're doing likewise.

 

[Pete999]

That's a pretty good answer to your own question......and I totally agree with you.
I wonder what your wholesaler would say if you asked him for that info? He's buying and selling, you're doing likewise.

Checking see how much percentage add on you are charging him for

 

[ferg]

A very professional response there.

 

[Phil Thompson]

They've been on screw fix website
to see prices lol
Some customers don't get that you need mark up to cover time and fuel spent collecting them, and then warranty should they go faulty.

 

[ipf]

Checking see how much percentage add on you are charging him for

Honest, Pete, do you reckon?

Might as well charge him trade prices before discount..... 100m 2.5 T&E for 1,200 quid would make him think

 

[Pete999]

Honest, Pete, do you reckon?

Might as well charge him trade prices before discount..... 100m 2.5 T&E for 1,200 quid would make him think

My unbiased honest opinion ipf, todays clientele are after a fair deal, so if you quote for a job with lots of material costs, Human nature tells the client, "how much is that lot of stuff going to cost me?" so he/she will check the prices and want to compare the prices from different sources, and then check your prices and add ons, appreciate you have to look around for the best price for your quotation, but like I said there are some people that don't trust the honest operator. and will ask for invoices to compare their information, it happens, you have to be scrupulously honest in your pricing regime, not saying anyone is being dishonest, but look at it from the customer's point of view, after all you wouldn't buy a car at x£Ks without checking other businesses before agreeing, same with work these days.