Q: We live in a block of flats which has a common lift. Recently we asked by our lift service company to do some work because the lift was not functioning well.

They gave us a quotation, which amounted to €200. When we accepted the quote, they asked for a 50 per cent deposit which we paid. The day after, two people came to fix the lift and after 35 minutes left without telling us that it was ready.

I checked with the company why they left so early and was told that the job was done. The lift is working well but we realised that the company charged us €200 for a 35-minute job. Hence we feel that we have been overcharged.

When we complained with the company about this, they replied that we had approved the quote they have given us and that it was a fixed price.

Is there anything we can do to recuperate some of the money paid?

A: Companies operate in a free market economy and therefore are free to set their own prices for the products or services they sell. The MCCAA can only intervene when the product or service consumers pay for does not conform to the contract of sale or when consumers are charged more than the agreed price.

Since this does not seem to be your case, as you were charged the quoted price and the lift was repaired and is now functioning well, legally you have no right to claim any refund.