Florida cracker plumbing Brent Phillips Scam Artist, Hacks Lutz, Florida
I read the report written by Honest plumber, I appreciate your warning regarding Florida Cracker Plumbing. I used the cracker to repair a leak in my home. The service man showed up in a station wagon and obviously had no clue what he was doing, he was a nice guy and described the company exactly how you did, he explained how he was paid commission only and the more he charges me the more he makes, I laugh because he continued to apologize to me as the price went up and up. I was horrified by the way he attempted to repair my leak, he used a half roll of solder and everytime he turned on the water it poured onto my carpet and he would apologize telling me he had to raise the price yet again because its taking him longer than he expected. He eventually called his boss (Brent Phillpis) He had him on speaker phone and I could hear him praising him for the outrageous price he was charging me, he than told him that he had a good call next ( a home warranty company) he actually told him that he can make up a fake problem and charge the warranty company at least $1200 dollars because they never verify..WOW, I was shocked at what I heard and even more schoked that the service plumber kept him on speaker phone the entire time. I eventually told this plumber to leave my home, he tried to charge me $980.00 dollars and the single leak I had now had three couplings and 3 leaks, I had another company come the following day and the proffessional had it repaired in 45 minutes and charged me $125.00 he also asked me if it was "Florida Hacker" and I laughed, How bad can this company be if the service plumber knew who did the job before I told him and even worse he refered to them as "Florida cracker" I also looked on craigs list and found many complaints about the company, I also looked at the DPBR web site and spoke with an investigator who claimed six complaints on his license. Also I believe FCP (Florida Commercial Plumbing) was his father and he went belly up. I also found out the IRS is investigating these people.. I also understand Mr Phillips has no office and simply answers the phone from his rental home in Lutz Fl. There is no formal training or verification of the plumbers experience. regarding your last paycheck, I work for a local law firm and am very familiar with Fl labor laws, First... turn him into the Fl dept of Labor, if he does not pay you your full check including travel, standby and overtime he will experience a whirlwind of issues, first the investigator will review every employees records for the past 2 years and theyalways find something, he will end up paying ten times what he would have, you can also sue him in civil court small claims if under $5000 dollars..
Good luck
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Harleyrider naples florida
Naples,Florida,
U.S.A.
Will Provide factual information showing Florida Cracker Plumbing are CROOKS & SCAM ARTISTS & Proudly offer my name and e-mail
#4UPDATE Employee
Tue, March 01, 2011
I feel it is important to respond to the Florida cracker rebutal, first I think it would be prudent to provide a little background. I am Scott and I am an ex employee of Florida Cracker plumbing as well. I read the information provided by Honest plumber and Harry Homeowner, I do not know either one of these people but I can tell you that the facts they provided are dead on accurate but do not take my word for it, I will provide some detailed information and copies of e-mails, letters, complaints and the state division of corporations and will leave it up to you to make an educated evaluation of this company.
First I want to point out Mr Phillips response to Harry Homeowner, Mr phillips joked, Mr phillips called him a "troll" Mr. Phillips even called himself a devil (jokingly of course) Mr Phillips further boasted that he has been in business for 8 years (huge lie) again do not tke my word for it, go to sunbiz.org division of corporations and you will see Mr. Phillips has only been in business for a little over a year and a half. Also while your on the corporation site, look up Florida commercial plumbing (FCP) This was a company started by him and his father and only lasted 8 months.
I find the entire response to be very unprofessional, I think any legitimate business owner would and should attempt to seek out a resolution to an upset customer and kindly ask Harry homeowner to provide him with contact information or at the very least ask Harry to contact the office so they may rectify the problems. Mr Phillips approach was a little bit different, Mr Phillips decided to throw mud and create a verbal assault like that of a 10 year old.
Now here are some facts that I will share while I briefly worked for Florida cracker plumbing. First, Mr Phillips only advertises on craigslist, although he does work for home warranty companies and a few other commercial establishments. On every home warranty company call I did I was told to pad the hours by at least 2 hours, for every water heater we installed ( not a lot, maybe 6 or 7) I was told to tell the authorization company that a 2nd tech was needed thus doubling the pay out fro $500 to over $1000, NOTE I never had a 2nd technician on any water heater call. I did one job in the Tampa area, it was here that I met some of the other Florida crackers, they were all nice guys but the company vehicles were exactly as Harry Homeowner described in fact almost everything he said was right on key. I read the 2nd rebuttal written by Ram Jet and I would bet a dollar to a doughnut that Ram Jet and Mr Phillips are one in the same.
When I left the employment of Florida Cracker plumbing I hit a brickwall trying to get my final paycheck, I wrote several texts to Sandra (Brent Phillips GF) I was told it will be leaving the office today, when it didnt arrive I was told she had an emergency in the family, a couple days passed and I didnt hear from them so I sent another text explaining that I didnt want to have to get a 3rd party involved and to please let me know what is going on. I finally had to go to the department of Labor in Fort Myers Florida, and agent called Brent Phillips while I sat in his office and low and behold my paycheck arrived 2 days later. I had to confront Mr Phillips about a $300 short in my paycheck and another $2700 dollars in reimbursements for parts. At FCP you have to use your own vehicle, gas and parts but this is understood and Mr Phillips was forthcoming about this policy. If you drive over 45 miles he will reimburse your fuel, if you use parts over $15.00, he will reimburse you for your parts. Mr Phillips did reimburse me for my fuel except for my last check, Mr Phillips NEVER reimbursed my parts in fact when I asked for my reimbursement, I was told they were "phantom parts" not sure how I can install a garbage disposal with a "phantom disposal" and I can guarantee he never purchased one, so I ask you Mr Phillips where did all the parts come from? I suppose I should have observed the red flags when the first 2 paychecks bounced, well actually the funds were seized by the IRS, or is that a lie as well?
Side Note**Another very interesting fact, after I went to the labor board I received a barrage of e-mails from Brent Phillips, in his e-mail he again acted like a 10 year old and called names like "Georgie" and a few others but he ended up telling me that he didn't care that I went to the labor board that he has only had a few dealings with them and he has a very good rapport with the labor board and the agents that work there. WOW!!!! I know of companies that have been in business for over 35 years and have never had a single dealing with the labor board but in a year and a half of being in business Mr Phillips has developed a very good rapport with the Labor board and the agents. (not something to be proud of)
I will now provide some other customers feed back as well as the corporate filing report and an e-mail from Boston Ale in Ft Myers Fl to Brent Phillips.
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
Hi,
just had them do some work and while I checked out their license to practice plumbing, I didn't look at the reviews online.....BIG MISTAKE!!
They totally ripped me off...$150.00 for a washer and left the shower knobs loose and spinning and pieces totally left off the kitchen faucet.
I'm disputing the charge with my credit card company and also going to file complaints with the BBB as well as other sites that rate services. If you are interested, I can give you the links to these sites so you can file complaints as well. The owner was supposed to call me back 4 days ago and I'm still waiting. If I don;t hear back by the end of today, I'm starting with my actions.
any ideas on your end?
Libbye
Re florida crackhead plumbing (tampa)
Date: 2011-02-04, 7:34AM EST
Reply to: serv-xzsaq-2196514019@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
I read your post and I had the exact same issue with them, they are horrible and yes I read so many problems with them and was told that they were looking at yanking his lic.
I was also told by our neighbor that the IRS was looking at him
thanks for your warning
Location: tampa
Hello Brent,
After I contacted you about our plumbing issues, at the advice of my attorney I hired another plumbing company. After my attorney and I reviewed your e-mails to George and complaints against your company he advised me to hire another company. For the record you were not hired by my company nor did my company add you to the subcontractor form of the City of Fort Myers as you stated in e-mails to George. The City of Fort Myers has issued a permit for all work that is being conducted by licensed companies approved by my general contractor.
I thank you for attempting to assist me and being professional, but I recall you did not want George to do any plumbing work at my business. You stated you wanted to send another plumber to my business, however I found it ironic you stated in an e-mail for George to do the plumbing work? First you agreed that George could do the work, but to send the money to you. Then you stated to have someone else complete it. Then you stated if I used George for my plumbing needs you would take me to court and you would get your $1000 one way or another. I did feel threatend when you told me this and rushed to allow you to do the plumbing again without a signed contract. You were very adamant that George not do any work at my business stating words that I don't want to repeat here and that you were filing complaints to multiple agencies.
It seems from the beginning there were problems with the fees for supplies, possible low proposal, no contract - including no signature on the subcontractor form, because the job has now cost me $500 over the proposal of $2200. You stated that George is robbing me, however receipts have been reviewed to show the cost of supplies greatly superseded what you paid, including many man hours over what normally it would take according to another plumbing companies proposal.
At this point, I do not intend to take this any further, however I will not tolerate any threats or continued phone calls - messages and consider a lesson learned. I understand that there are many issues with you and George, however my attorney requested that I do not get involved unless necessary. After reading other e-mail complaints from previous employee about non - payment and other conflicts, I hope they are not true, because I know how hard plumbers like George work to earn a living to support his family. If work was conducted I would hope you would pay your employees, the internet could be a companies worse night mare and not to excuse having to hire an attorney.
I hope all these issues are resoved and wish both you and George luck!
Respectfully,
Richard
cc: James S. Puccio
Attorney
Detail by Entity Name
Florida Profit Corporation
FLORIDA CRACKER PLUMBING, INC.
Filing Information
Document Number
P08000094808
FEI/EIN Number
263574760
Date Filed
10/21/2008
State
FL
Status
ACTIVE
Principal Address
1745 CROOKED OAK LANE
LUTZ FL 33559 US
Mailing Address
PO BOX 342276
TAMPA FL 33694
Changed 04/14/2009
Registered Agent Name & Address
PHILLIPS, BRENT A
1745 CROOKED OAK LANE
LUTZ FL 33559 US
Officer/Director Detail
Name & Address
Title PRES
PHILLIPS, BRENT A
1745 CROOKED OAK LANE
LUTZ FL 33559 US
Annual Reports
Report Year
Filed Date
2009
04/14/2009
2010
07/13/2010
Document Images
07/13/2010 -- ANNUAL REPORT
04/14/2009 -- ANNUAL REPORT
Florida Profit Corporation
FLORIDA COMMERCIAL PLUMBING, INC
Filing Information
Document Number
P08000000207
FEI/EIN Number
NONE
Date Filed
01/02/2008
State
FL
Status
INACTIVE
Last Event
ADMIN DISSOLUTION FOR ANNUAL REPORT
Event Date Filed
09/25/2009
Event Effective Date
NONE
Principal Address
231 E FRAY ST
ENGLEWOOD FL 34223 US
Mailing Address
231 E FRAY ST
ENGLEWOOD FL 34223 US
Registered Agent Name & Address
PHILLIPS, MARVIN
231 E FRAY ST
ENGLEWOOD FL 34223 US
Officer/Director Detail
Name & Address
Title P
PHILLIPS, MARVIN
231 E FRAY ST
ENGLEWOOD FL 34223 US
Annual Reports
No Annual Reports Filed
Document Images
01/02/2008 -- Domestic Profit
There are many other complaints but I feel this should paint a clear picture as to what type of business FCP (Florida cracker plumbing) is.
There is also 4 or 5 other companies started and closed by Brent Phillips
When you l;ook at the corporate filings above take note that Florida commercial Plumbing (FCP) is the same as Florida Cracker Plumbing or (FCP)
Again please judge for yourself and to prove I am a real person here is my e-mail scott7081@aol.com
Ramjet
Somewhere,Michigan,
U.S.A.
I agree
#4Consumer Comment
Sun, February 20, 2011
I don't know this company and I don't know Harry Homeowner.
However, this ridiculous story is so over the top that I can say with complete confidence that it is absolute pure bull s**t. If you're going to make up a story at least make it seem believable, this one is amateurish at best.
A wast of bandwidth!
Brent Phillips
United States of AmericaThis Takes Trolling to a New Art Form.....
#4REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sun, February 20, 2011
For those who don't know, a "troll" is an Internet term for someone who posts inflammatory, made-up posts online. Why? Who knows. Why do people maliciously hack or spam? This one probably is a rival company owner or paid by one, or perhaps he did unlicensed work and got busted.
This troll is rather entertaining, though. Read Harry Homeowner's post carefully.
Not only did I praise my fellow demon-plumber for milking the homeowner on this call, but also, during this same conversation, told him that I had a good call for him next that we could fake and charge $1,200 for. And I'm also saying all this over the airwaves and, even though it's easy to tell if you are on speakerphone, hell, I didn't care and let everybody within a mile radius aware of my diabolical plans. I'm quite sure I was cackling and rubbing my hands together while stroking my pointy beard.
How could a devil like this be in business for 8 years and not receive thousands of complaints? He would be shut down, rightfully so, after a couple of weeks in business.
Wow, what a phone call, huh?
Needless to say, this call (and phone call) never existed. It's completely made up and Harry Homeowner is a troll.
Oh, you insist it is, Mr. Homeowner. Then show us proof.
Blah, blah, blah, that's right you have none, because you are a troll.
I'm sure there are more of them out there. There are some desperate people willing to do anything to throw their successful rivals under the bus. Many of them are doing unlicensed plumbing work (a felony) while they are hurling darts at others. Lord knows that I'm not alone in these attacks. The entire construction industry is rife with this. Craigslist has enabled every scumbag who can finger-type a forum to advertise their illegal, unlicensed businesses as well as attack established business owners. It's the world we live in now.
I've got literally thousands and thousands of satisfied customers and a few jealous trolls. I'll take that track-record anytime.