The owner of a Surrey building company who recently completed repairs to the roof of a Haart branch says he is shocked after its parent company demanded that he retrospectively knock 20% off his invoice even though the work on its office in Fleet, Hampshire office was satisfactory.
Paul Gurney, Managing Director of Blenheim Roofing Services based in Epsom, says he successfully carried out the repairs to the branch and sent an invoice to Colchester-based Spicerhaart for £2,496 including VAT on March 30th.
“We heard nothing from them regarding payment until 22nd May – remember payment was due on 13th April – but then we were contacted and asked to provide a retrospective discount of 20% in order for our invoice to be passed for payment.
Covid problems
Spicerhaart told Gurney that due to problems caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, it was seeking discounts from its suppliers.
“Since we refused, we have been greeted with a wall of silence and no payment,” says Gurney. “How desperate can they be to force a £499 discount from a small supplier?”.
Gurney has told The Negotiator that he his shocked by the whole episode given that Spicerhaart is a respected corporate player within the housing market with an annual turnover of £123 million.
“My company is a £1.2 million turnover company who works for them occasionally so I don’t think it’s down to us to provide them with banking facilities.”
The Negotiator contacted Spicerhaart for comment but has so far not received a response.
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