Complaint Review: A-1 American Plumbing In Virginia Beach

On Oct. 30. 2008, I called A- American to see if I could get someone out to look at my water heater. It was leaking and I had to turn off the water to it leaving me with no hot water. They said they could surely come the next day, Friday, Oct 31, 2008. I was asked if I wanted a.m or p.m. which I replied a.m. and they said they would be out between 9 and 12. At 12:30 I called the office to ask where my service repairman was at, the girl put me on hold and came back stating my guy, Mark was "tired" up, but I was next and it would be soon. I said ok....and waited and waited...it was 4 when I called back and asked again, before I could finish the sentence, she put me into Mark's voice mail, like I should try to figure out when he was coming.

So I called back saying I needed a time, it was late and it was Halloween night, I had plans, in which she replied, If I didn't like it, maybe I should go somewhere else!! I couldn't believe my ears...Friday late afternoon, after waiting all day, no repairman OR phone call saying they were running late or anything. I asked if I could talk to a manager, I got the office manager who wasn't really any better, but said they work till 8, and they could STILL be out. I would of never agreed to be home from 9-8, waitimg for a repairman. Well, guess what, he never showed up! I then called another number out of their several page ads in the phone book saying how much they love America and are honest,and got a dispatcher who was rude and said someone would still be out!! I called yet another number in their ad and got another plumber who said he could be out Sat. a.m, which I agreed being so desparate. He did show up only to try and charge me the week-end rate which I refused after being quoted $78.00 and it wasn't my fault no one showed up, so he agreed not charge me the week-end rate of $150.00. After about 5 minutes, he came into my house said it was the pressure valve and it would cost $584.00 to replace. This is a $12.00-$13.00 piece of metal, a piece with a spring inside, sold at Home Depot or Lowe's. When I told him that, he said, yeah I know.....WHAT A RIP OFF THIS PLACE IS!!

I got a quote from Home Depot to replace the water heater and to put it in for $650.00. He said if I wanted a new heater, he'd have to charge $1900.00. Between being treated like a dog from their customer service dept. and trying to rip me off , I refused to have them work on it and had to pay the $78.00 sevice charge to be insulted with apiece of metal being marked up what 600 %??? I am going to report them to the BBB also and I would say to anyone else who has been ripped off by them, report them and spread the word to your friends and go to Angie's List and do the same!!

Susan
chesapeake, Virginia
U.S.A.