Rooter Plus! Bait and Switch, Internet
The following was posted on the internet and still is to this date. Septic Tank Pumping - Get a Free Estimate 770-884-7034.
www.rooterplus.com/Septic_Pumping$195 Pump Special. Fast & Friendly I called and recived the same $195 "estimate" and set up an appointment.
Upon arriving at my house and showing them exactly where the Septic tank was located less than 3 inches below the surface; they opened the risers and immediately informed me that there was to much sludge at the top of the tank and that that would have to "blend it" Blending it consisted of 5 minutes with a post hole digger with a propeller blade attached. The added cost - $250. Now the price has more than doubled in the first 10 minutes!
Next he pulled out the filter which was located near the top of the tank and told me it would be an additional $95 to clean it. Cleaning it consisted of two minutes of spraying it with the hose which he wanted to borrow from me. I told him to use his own! When all that was done he had me flush the toilets and he observed the water was draining slowly. He then asked if i wanted him to clear the lines going in to the house for an ADDITIONAL $400 I declined. As you can see $195 quickly turned into $1000 in 30 minutes. Do not use this company! They will rip you off!!
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Flowery Branch Ga.
Flowery Branch,Georgia,
United States of America
So this is fair business practice?
#3Author of original report
Tue, December 04, 2012
So a total of 15 minutes of additional labor should cost $345? ($250 for blend $95 for filter rinse) If that is fair business practice, your company relies on completely different set of morals than most.
What if i were to charge $30 a minute for the electricity for the drill you used to open the riser (plugged into my outlet) and $40 a gallon for the water (from my tap) used to clean the filter? This is about the same ridiculous upcharge you required of me; does this sound ethical to you?
Yes, I initialed for the work to be done AFTER the work had begun; but the principle of the matter is you advertised the price and then more than doubled it 10 minutes into the job. So being, If I refused to pay the additional charges to blend; and rinse the filter you would of just closed the riser up, and put the dirt back, and went about your day with no charge? This option was absolutely not offered. This is the whole idea of bait and switch; Advertise a low rate, and upon getting the consumer to commit once the work has started -Jack the price up when the consumer is stuck between paying for nothing or having to pay an additional amount equal to more than double the advertised price to complete the work.
RooterPLUS!
Cumming,Georgia,
United States of America
Upfront Pricing
#3UPDATE Employee
Thu, November 29, 2012
RooterPLUS! provides upfront pricing for each tasks so you as the homeowner have the power to make decisions as you did. You initialed on the contract that you approved all work and pricing before the job was started. Our technician even discounted $50.00 off of your bill as a courtesy due to your request.
When a septic system is not properly maintained the sludge will harden making it difficult to pump through without being "blended" or broken up. If your system was draining slowly, that is a symptom of a flow issue and our technician's recommendation was made with the health of your septic system in mind. As licensed professionals, we must disclose any issue we foresee upon inspecting your septic system. ~ Customer Relations Management