Hometown Plumbing Gary Gaugler Outrageous Ripoff of Senior Citizen: Charged $1310.10 to install 2 faucets and 2 drain covers. That's more than my MONTHLY Soc. Sec. Income! Uses questionable practices to insinuate himself into a Phoenix, Arizona
Early in April, while moving into my townhouse, I hired Hometown Plumbing to replace a broken faucet in the bathroom and fix a wobbly kitchen faucet(which was replaced). I also asked Mr. Gary Gaugler (who, I believe, is the owner) to replace 2 rusted drain covers below the faucets. For this minor job, I was charged $1310.10. I paid it, protestingly, but Mr. Gaugler said he had a lot of expenses and would not yield on the price. Since then, I have been told that this was a big ripoff.
Using questionable practices (like removing the bathtub faucet before discussing any prices, and hitting me with "trip charges" to persuade me to continue), I signed a statement listing outrageous charges for this type of work, including hundreds of dollars for removing the faucets! (My handyman later told me he would have done the work for $20!)
I notified the Registrar of Contractors, but they said they have nothing to do with pricing. I want to prevent these tactics from "ripping off" other seniors like me, who cannot afford to use more than their monthly income for a minor job.
Predatory practices should be outlawed. I am warning other seniors or anyone who will listen that they should be wary of anyone posing as a "helper" who will instead "take them to the cleaners." The unsuspecting are his prey! I think that I am owed some redress here. This type of "business" tactic should not be allowed to continue.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Long Island Plumber
Woodmere,New York,
United States of America
Really?
#3Consumer Comment
Fri, August 05, 2011
Had a professional plumber in your home and you think you were ripped off?
I use RipOffReport frequently prior to making any large purchase and being in the Plumbing & HVAC profesion my searches today brought me to Plumbing related complaints. Its amazing how most of the complaints or not for letting a disgusting dirty plumber into your homes, but instead of having a PROFESSIONAL come into your home to perform service. In the dozens of complaints I read this evening, not one commented on the appearance of the TECHNICIAN. My guess is that the technician was in a clean uniform.
Being a professional commands a higer rate of salary. As a professional Plumbing and HVAC Technician, do I not deserve to live in a nice home, support my family comfortably, and drive luxury cars? I firmly believe I do and the quality of service my company produces commands it as well.
I am not a owner, but just a technician. I command a salary similar to doctors and lawyers. I have more education, certification, and training than most lawyers do. I wake up at 3am to give families heat, clear their only toilet of all the waste that clogged, and crawl under homes to make repairs.
My company is a flat rate company. It is designed to save the customer money and make the company money. NO COMPANY WANTS TO LOSE MONEY! When I charge $361 to rebuld all the mechanical componets of a toilet, I guarantee that toilet. I will re-appear if god forbid it leaks at 6am.
My company gives the price upfront and the customer signs in writing prior to work beginning. We arrive when scheduled and GUARANTEE ALL WORK!
I personally performed $622K in gross sales last year in 49 weeks working an average of 60 hours per week. I am one technician out of 22. All without a single complaint. A large percentage of that revenue goes towards overhead, not compensation for employees. Picture a multi-million dollar company that pays on top of salary, $45K per employee for taxes, insurance, education, training, licensing, etc.
So the next time you call a plumber, if you want to nickel and dime call the dirty, unprofessional plumber in the pennysaver. If you want a plumber who is clean, prompt, courteous, and professional expect to pay for such.
No, $300 per hour is not excessive. You are insane if you think you can get a price over the phone. Get Home Depot or Lowes to come back if there is a problem. I fix THEIR PROBLEMS! $450 for only 57 minutes? It would take most homewoners an entire weekend something I can do in 10 minutes. If I could pay for more hours in a day I would.
Questions, comments, or concerns, please make comments below.
GOOD EVENING AMERICA AND GOD BLESS.
Mike The Plumber
zb420
91405,California,
United States of America
SORR THIS HAPPENED TO YOU ...BUT...
#3Consumer Comment
Fri, July 22, 2011
When contractors come to do work you need to get a written estimate.
That way this type of B.S. won't happen.
Live and Learn.