Legal Question in Consumer Law in Virginia

Do I have to pay the added charge?

I have a horse and the man who shoes him (the farrier) has been working for me for 3 years. Our agreed upon price for shoeing at the beginning of our relationship was $120. I'm now moving my horse to a new barn and told my farrier that I would no longer be needing his services. The next bill I received was for $140 (for the same services that for years had been $120). I don't discount his right to raise his prices but I was never informed of any increase--neither in writing, nor orally, and in fact, am fairly certain that he is trying to ''stick it to me'' for leaving him. Do I have to pay this higher charge even though I was never informed of a price raise and therefore never agreed to it, or am I legally in the right to just pay the standard $120?


Asked on 2/12/07, 3:10 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ruth Emily Kochard Ruth Emily Kochard, Counselor at Law

Re: Do I have to pay the added charge?

Unless your agreement with the farrier was for a specific price he will be entitled to receive an amount for services rendered. Likewise the absence of notice to you of a price change would only be relevant if you and he had an agreement (contract) to the effect that you would be given prior notice of an increase in price. While you could certainly consult an attorney to more specifically review your case in light of the amount involved you may be able to work this problem out with the blacksmith yourself (particularly if he thought he'd lose a client). Alternatively, in light of the amount you would seek to recover, you could proceed in small claims court for breach of contract.

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Answered on 2/12/07, 10:34 pm


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