Thread: Ranbuild price rise

I have a few things to report as far as far as the phone calls and emails to the dealer, Lysaght, Consumer Affairs and VCAT but I will hold off until I have spoken to Ranbuild who has taken the time to join the forum and apologise.

Issue resolved.

I have spoken to Ranbuild this morning and they have agreed to wave the price rise in this instance.

They asked me to remove this thread and advise that the issue has been resolved. I told them I would not remove it even if I could. I don't think I would have got my desired outcome if it wasn't for this forum, this offer is not available to any of their other customers.

What went wrong and how can my situation be avoided?

It was explained to me that the price is variable and if you pay your 10% deposit the price can go up before you pay the next installment. The problem, Ranbuild said, is the dealer, Drysdale Garages in Geelong, did not tell me that the price was variable and no where in the 20 page contract does it say that the price can rise.

I don't know how this can be avoided. I was told the price was locked in when it wasn't.

The whole issue has made me very angry and I want to say a lot more but I am biting my tongue. Thanks again to the people who contributed to this thread and supported me.

Well done Arch, great result.

I think we need to acknowledge Ranbuild's ability to resolve this in your favour.

Plus one for the power of these forums as well.

Originally Posted by Arch Stanton

Issue resolved.

I have spoken to Ranbuild this morning and they have agreed to wave the price rise in this instance.

They asked me to remove this thread and advise that the issue has been resolved. I told them I would not remove it even if I could. I don't think I would have got my desired outcome if it wasn't for this forum, this offer is not available to any of their other customers.

What went wrong and how can my situation be avoided?

It was explained to me that the price is variable and if you pay your 10% deposit the price can go up before you pay the next installment. The problem, Ranbuild said, is the dealer, Drysdale Garages in Geelong, did not tell me that the price was variable and no where in the 20 page contract does it say that the price can rise.

I don't know how this can be avoided. I was told the price was locked in when it wasn't.

Firstly good on you for persisting with this.

I was going to say "good oh" to Ranbuild but then again why should we - they are after all just meeting a basic obligation and we shouldn't be "good oh-ing" mediocrity.

The lesson for every one else is to get the fixed price in writing and then there are no argument.

Originally Posted by Arch Stanton

It was explained to me that the price is variable and if you pay your 10% deposit the price can go up before you pay the next installment. The problem, Ranbuild said, is the dealer, Drysdale Garages in Geelong, did not tell me that the price was variable and no where in the 20 page contract does it say that the price can rise.

I don't know how this can be avoided. I was told the price was locked in when it wasn't.

The whole issue has made me very angry and I want to say a lot more but I am biting my tongue. Thanks again to the people who contributed to this thread and supported me.

Legally, this explanation is absolute garbage. It breaches very basic concepts of contract law. A contracted price can only be varied after a contract is entered into if there is a very precise procedure for varying that price specified in the contract and agreed to by both parties. (eg. Matching exchange rate changes, movement with CPI or other recognised index, changes in specified taxes, etc.)

A more credible explanation would have been - "We are sorry that we made a mistake, and we are fixing it."



Fair Winds

Graeme

Originally Posted by Arch Stanton

Issue resolved.



It was explained to me that the price is variable and if you pay your 10% deposit the price can go up before you pay the next installment.

They are red hot this mob...i would personally take my business elsewhere,my 10 cents worth..MM

Rather than everyone saying what is the moral and legal interpretation of this situation, the definative answer is in the signed documents for the supply and the prevailing legislation / act in your state relavant to such transactions and advertising pertinant to the service / pruduct that you have agreed to or signed for. That is the quanative result other than what the suppier may offer / agree to in way of settlement of the dispute.

I have seen too many times unqualified opions, advice all in the name of trying to help with the best and noblist of intentions, but the end result is the prevaing laws / acts / contracts.

In this case, the result is the correct one but leave it at that.......

Originally Posted by rwbuild

. . . .In this case, the result is the correct one but leave it at that.......

Only after all the unqualified opinions turned the burners up.

I'm not normally a fan of current affairs program type pressure but I'm pleased when it gets a result for the little guy as too often it's the other way around.

This is clearly in contravention of their advertising claim.

It was explained to me that the price is variable and if you pay your 10% deposit the price can go up before you pay the next installment.

i.e.

Place your new shed order with your local Accredited Ranbuild Dealer before the end of September to beat the steel price rise.

You have complied - you paid your deposit, prior to the end of September in order to secure the order, specifically to beat the steel price rise!.

Whilst I am pleased for you that its been settled.... to your apparent satisfaction - the apparent claimed suggestion by the company the same deal might not apply to others in a similar position, i.e. the implication they regularly don't stick by their advertised promises- would be enough for me to choose not to do business with this company.

A deal is a deal, a mans hand shake and word is his bond. If this company make a habit of breaking their advertised promises... indirect contravention of honesty n advertising laws, and various trading laws, well - they don't deserve to have their word on any aspect believed.

In my opinion - this is whathappens when a shed builder -gets to big too quick and thinks that "by employing sales people" - they will rapidly increase their market share.

Its a salespersons 'job' to "up sell you" (Do you want fries with that? Regular or large drink?) etc etc - all tricks employed to alter the agreed contract after agreement to purchase has been made, or "ways to rip you off"....after you've been tricked into giving YOUR word (to make a purchase)!

Deceptive marketing, up-selling etc are all hallmarks of corporate type of greed without "accountability" for breaches of trust.

As Australian's, if we wish to preserve our culture and values system (that thing every other nations refugees are flocking here to enjoy) - then we should as a matter of course make conscious deliberate decisions NOT to purchase ANYTHING from such US based corporate sales chicanery... all too familiar at every franchised US multinational sales scheme....that's pervading our country.

If Ranbuild or anyone else want to adopt that "model of success" (based upon duplicitous and immoral/unethical behavior) - hopefully Australian consumers will see thru it for what it is (touching you up after the deal to extort additional funds) and make their future purchase decisions accordingly.

Ranbuild had a chance to publicly step up and honor their advertised claims & overtly make this right ... half right is still better than nothing at all...but it is also still a cop out.

With any luck they might learn a lesson about deceptive advertising practices for the future.

If so the threads served its purpose, & if not perhaps the glare of a current affairs TV program cameras might help them see the error of their ways.

Ranbuild have their supplier accounts arrangements - (likely 90 or 120 days) - they can afford to buy into stock the materials once you have paid a deposit to confirm your order (and thus contractual obligation) and lock in the advertised savings - whilst you await the required local govt building approvals... this "approvals delay" is a requirement built into every sale they make, every client has to wait for these approvals, and as shed builders they are entirely aware of it ahead of time.

Back to basics Ranbuild... Your entire company's reputation is publicly on the line here.

By "stepping up to the plate" (and honoring your advertised sale condition) it is costing them exactly NOTHING! Anything less will be judged harshly IMNSHO.

My 2 bobs worth!.

If this offer is not available to other customers, then Ranbuilt have still not yet stepped up to the plate. All they have done is oiled the squeaky wheel. Other customers, in a similar position, having paid a deposit and now being asked to accept a price increase, should be entitled to the same treatment. IMHO the stand taken by Ranbuilt is only made more unethical by their limited action.

Originally Posted by Timless Timber

Whilst I am pleased for you that its been settled.... to your apparent satisfaction - the apparent claimed suggestion by the company the same deal might not apply to others in a similar position, i.e. the implication they regularly don't stick by their advertised promises- would be enough for me to choose not to do business with this company.

I will never do business with them again. I expect I will get a good shed but no matter how good it is, when it comes to ordering my carport next year it wont be with Ranbuild.

I did ask to cancel the contract and asked for my money back. I was offered the deposit, less $120 for administration and $165 for engineering. When I spoke to consumer affairs they said that they weren't obliged to give me anything back. To me that made sense. I can't expect to break a contract and get all my money back, I'd be a hypocrite to expect Ranbuild to honour the contract and then not honour it myself.

If Ranbuild was not going to come to the party my only course of redress was to go to VCAT. It costs $45 to lodge your case but it would have taken 9 months to have it heard. I was ready to go and was looking forward to it.

Ranbuild have not done me any favours. After all the stuffing around all they did was agree to recognize the deal I originally signed up to. This does not make them good blokes. They didn't do it because they thought they'd made an error and wanted to right it. They did it because they wanted to stop people posting comments about them that they didn't like.

Ranbuild joined the forum and said

"Dear Arch

On behalf of Ranbuild I would like to appologise for your experience. We understand that price increases of any kind are unwanted. Can you call me on our office number of 02 4962 4311 to discuss your situation.

Regards"

I do not know what this apology means. They have followed their company policy and increased the price as they have with other people, they were in no way sorry that the contract was not going to be adhered to. When I rang and spoke to them there was no further apology or explanation of the original apology. It was,we will make an exception in this case, can you remove your post and then a defense of their position. To me the apology says "we're good blokes".

I've been back to their website
Welcome to Ranbuild

and they make the claim:

"Through our nationwide network of Accredited Shed Dealers we offer maximum versatility, durability, adaptability, choice and, most importantly, customer satisfaction."

I think some marketing guru thought that sounded good and that's what people want to hear. There is no evidence to suggest that customer satisfaction is a high priority at Ranbuild.

Maybe Ranbuild could rejoin the discussion and explain what they think customers' expectations are and what customer satisfaction means to them.

Originally Posted by rwbuild

Rather than everyone saying what is the moral and legal interpretation of this situation, the definative answer is in the signed documents for the supply and the prevailing legislation / act in your state relavant to such transactions and advertising pertinant to the service / pruduct that you have agreed to or signed for. That is the quanative result other than what the suppier may offer / agree to in way of settlement of the dispute.

I have seen too many times unqualified opions, advice all in the name of trying to help with the best and noblist of intentions, but the end result is the prevaing laws / acts / contracts.

In this case, the result is the correct one but leave it at that.......

No, Ray.

Arch clearly stated that there was no mention of any price rise possibilities in the 20 page contract that he signed, and I do not think that you wish to accuse him of lying in this regard.

Secondly, whilst there is relevant federal and state legislation in this area, the law of contracts largely derives from Common Law, ie judge made law, built up over the centuries. This is contained in the walls of volumes of Law Reports that still line some lawyers offices.

"...I have seen too many times unqualified opions, advice all in the name of trying to help with the best and noblist of intentions....."




Fair Winds

Graeme

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

No, Ray.

Arch clearly stated that there was no mention of any price rise possibilities in the 20 page contract that he signed, and I do not think that you wish to accuse him of lying in this regard.

Secondly, whilst there is relevant federal and state legislation in this area, the law of contracts largely derives from Common Law, ie judge made law, built up over the centuries. This is contained in the walls of volumes of Law Reports that still line some lawyers offices.

"...I have seen too many times unqualified opions, advice all in the name of trying to help with the best and noblist of intentions....."

Fair Winds

Graeme

I never said or accused him of lying, I was referring to the relevant laws and acts and referring to people who give advice without checking on the said laws or acts FIRST and yes a lot of these have been derived and enacted by governments as you state.

What I am advising is CHECK the legalities first THEN initiate action, not the reverse

Seeing that Arch has now reach an agreeable solution with Ranbuild, there is no need for further discussion between other members on the matter, so I'm closing the thread before it becomes a bunfight.