We’ve all been there. You drop your car off at the shop or call a plumber for a “quick fix.” You assume it will cost a couple of hundred dollars, but when the bill arrives, your jaw hits the floor. It’s way higher than you expected, and worst of all—they never gave you an estimate.
Do you just have to pay it?
If you are in Utah, the answer may be no. You have rights under the Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act (UCSPA) and administrative rules that protect you from “surprise pricing.” Here is what you need to know and how to fight back.
1. The “Reasonable Price” Rule
Legally, if you didn’t agree to a specific price, you didn’t agree to write a blank check. Under contract law, if no price is fixed, you are only obligated to pay a “reasonable” price (often called quantum meruit or fair market value).
- The Reality: If a business charges you $1,000 for a service that every other competitor in Salt Lake City charges $300 for, they are likely legally in the wrong. You may only owe them the market rate, not the “price gouge” rate.
2. The $50 Authorization Rule
For many repair industries—like auto mechanics and appliance repair—Utah has strict administrative rules (Utah Admin Code R152-11-5).
- The Rule: If a repair is expected to cost more than $50, the business is generally required to get your express authorization.
- The Catch: If they didn’t give you an estimate and the final bill is significantly higher than $50, they may have violated consumer protection rules by failing to get your permission for the cost.
- The 10% Buffer: Even if they gave you a ballpark figure, they generally cannot exceed that estimate by more than 10% without calling you for approval first.
3. “Unconscionable” Pricing is Illegal
The Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act (UCSPA) protects you from “unconscionable” acts.
- What it means: Utah Code 13-11-5 states that it is a violation if a price is “grossly in excess” of the price at which similar goods or services are readily available.
- Translation: If they charge 5x the normal rate, that isn’t just “expensive”—it might be a deceptive trade practice.
Legal Resource: David S. Head
If you need legal assistance with a consumer protection dispute, David S. Head is a Utah attorney experienced in this area. As the managing attorney at Head Law, he handles civil litigation and consumer protection cases, helping clients fight against unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices.
Contact Information:
Phone: (801) 691-7511