Mr. Rooter Plumbing Ripoff by Parts marked up 421% and 528% Roswell Georgia
Repair man advised that the Thermal Expantion Tank (proflo PFXT5)and Pressure reducing valve (Zurn 70XLDUC) needed to be replaced and it would take about 1 hour. I approved the repair knowing the tank price was $36 and the valve was $93 retail price. The repair took 2 hours at $184 with dispatch fee of $30, which was all well and good. BUT... the tank was marked up 528% at $190 and the valve was marked up 417% at $387. When i disputed with mgmt (joe and bob i think) they were rude and condescending justifying that everyone prices this way and how dare i question their pricing methods and call him a RIPOFF and eventually they called the police to pressure my wife to sign for the work performed. They claimed we were given a quote and we signed for it before the work was done. Which was not the case, but I will make sure I get that in the future.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Robert
Irvine,California,
A few comments...
#4Consumer Comment
Fri, May 02, 2014
I'm not going to get into the exact percentages because it doesn't matter....but there are some thing you need to realize.
First of all the "retail" price is what ever price a store sells an item for. Say I want a TV. I can go to 5 different stores and come up with 5 different "retail" prices. It is MY choice as to which store I buy it from. In your case of course you could have gone on your own and buy the $36 and $93 item. But you didn't do that, you choose to let them sell it to you at their price which you failed to ask what that price was.
Well what would have happened if you bought the $36 and $93 item on your own. Do you expect the plumber to just stand around free of charge and wait while you head down to the store and pick up the item? Perhaps you were going to reschedule them when you got the part. But then let's say that you got them to install the parts you bought, and a day later the part goes bad. Do you expect them to come out for free and take care of it. NOPE..they will charge you the same labor rate to remove the part, wait for you to go exchange the part, and install it a second time. Because unlike had they sold you the part they are under zero obligation to cover the labor to replace the part. Yes, all of these costs are built into the price you paid.
They had every right to call the police. Oh and one little more warning. If you are thinking of stopping payment or disputing the charges, they have the legal right to put what is known as a "Mechanics Lien" on your property. If you don't know what that is..go look it up you may find it very interesting.
In short
ALWAYS get an estimate of what you are going to pay
Don't expect to get DIY prices from professional plumbers, mechanics...etc.
Bill
Buford,Georgia,
Which equals 100% ripoff
#4Author of original report
Thu, May 01, 2014
The same smart a-- I spoke to on the phone.
coast
Florida,Always Request an Estimate
#4Consumer Comment
Thu, May 01, 2014
You should have requested an estimate instead of assuming the price. Merchants are not required to sell merchandise at retail price.
$36 increased to $190 is a 428% increase, NOT 528%. $93 increased to $387 is a 316% increase, NOT 417%. That should make you feel better.