Whipple Plumbing High-Pressure Sales, Bogus Prices, Wanted to Collect $69 "Dispatch Fee" Internet
I called this company due to simple name recognition. When the guy came to my door, I found out they charge a $69 "dispatch fee". First time I heard of it. I thought, fine, it will just be rolled into the cost of getting my leaky kitchen sink fixed. Although I had specific tasks I wanted him to accomplish, he insisted on checking all of our plumbing as part of their "service". The whole thing felt like a set-up before we even sat down. When we finally did sit down to talk, he started by telling me I have "two options". I can buy a MEMBERSHIP for $19.95 a month, or I can pay the single-visit fee. When I heard the word "membership", I thought, "oh boy, here comes the pitch", and I wasn't disappointed. I tried to cut to the chase and ask him what the price for fixing my leaky faucet and hot water laundry lead would cost, but he insisted on giving me the whole schpeel on the merits of membership. When he finally finished, I AGAIN asked what the single-visit cost would be. He wrote it on a notepad and slid it over. It would cost $450.00!!
I told the guy that is much, much more than I expected to pay. He said, "Plumbing work is expensive these days". I told him I'd treat this as a bid and look for other companies. He tried the whole, "How much do you want to pay?" thing, and I told him 120 bucks tops. When his high-pressure sales tactics were exhausted, he said, "Ok, I'll just collect that dispatch fee from you now". I said, "No. I wasn't aware of it until you arrived today, and I didn't sign anything". He tried to pressure me by telling me he told me at the door, but I stuck to my guns. He knew I was a law student from earlier in the conversation, so he gave up pretty quickly and left in an angry, huffy manner, telling me the fee was for gas money. $70 for gas across town!?! He should get a more fuel-efficient vehicle.
Please be aware that, if you call these guys out, they're going to push their membership program. They're going to give you a highly-inflated single-service fee in order to make their membership price look more attractive. Its the classic bait and switch with a little "and that's not all" thrown in. If you refuse, they'll pressure you into a dispatch fee. Stay FAR, FAR AWAY from this company. Hire a dude with a plumbing license instead. He'll charge $40 an hour plus reduced-price parts. Easy.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
WhipplePaul
United States of AmericaA manager's side of things
#5UPDATE Employee
Thu, March 08, 2012
Ok, I feel like I need to step in and speak on behalf of the Whipple Service Champion's Family.
We are not con-artists, boiler room attendants, or rip-off dealers. We speak the truth 100% of the time. If we fail in this, we are fired and the owner will call the customer and compensate them for their troubles. It is as simple as that. Don't get me wrong, some mistakes happen and when they do we work diligently to make sure everyone is comfortable with our service.
When a customer calls in we simply ask what is wrong, we get the information, we inform them of the 69.50 dispatch fee and then we ask how they will pay. A simple process that everyone in Client Care follows. How do I know this? I am the manager of that department. We also inform the customer of everything up front. No hidden fees. No "shady sales tactics".
I bet you are asking "How does a customer service manager know how the technicians in the field act?" Because I do regular 'ride alongs' to watch and make sure the techs are doing a good job. I do it so I know what a customer actually gets and why they get it, etc. In your situation, you had to of called in to get an appointment. Our reps informed you of the dispatch fee of 69.50. As Ashley stated in an earlier comment, most every company has a dispatch fee.
As for the tech, he mentions the membership plan, much like a fast food chain will ask you "Do you want fries with that?" They will go into a bit of detail about it since unlike fries, the membership offers many perks and bonuses. One of those perks is that you get discounts on repairs and parts.
I mean no offense but it honestly sounds like you are pinching your pennies, and were upset that we charge more than someone else. I completely understand this and am sorry that we happen to charge more than others. But that is our way and it won't change. But I would like to point out that you don't pay until you are satisfied with our job. You also have the power to look somewhere else. The 69.50 is to get the tech out there and to look at your problem and give you a down to the penny estimate on the job. If you want to use us, they will typically (not always) put that dispatch fee towards the price of the job.
I am sorry you had such a terrible time with our company and if you would like to talk about it with a manager, feel free to call us at 877-WHIPPLE and ask for the client concern manager. We would be more than happy to help you out.
Shaun R
Salt Lake City,Utah,
United States of America
I Stand By My Statement
#5Author of original report
Mon, January 09, 2012
Whipple Plumbing is a high-priced membership scam. Whipple's quote to fix the drip in our kitchen sink and fix a lead to our washing machine was EXTREMELY high, that is, unless we joined a membership program which called for regular montly payments for a term of at least a year. They were in no way a normal, run-of-the-mill plumbing company. Stay away. Stay far away.
The day after this Whipple fiasco, I asked for three bids through Service Magic. A normal plumber came to my house in a normal plumbing van, interfaced with me in a normal way, and when all was said and done, charged me $150.00 to do a relatively simple job. No high-pressure sales pitch, no b.s., and in the end, it cost nearly 1/4th the quote the Whipple rep insulted me with.
I stand by my statement. A rip is a rip off, pure and simple.
Long Island Plumber
Woodmere,New York,
United States of America
seriously
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, January 09, 2012
are you an idiot? where are you going to find a LICENSED PLUMBER who charges $40/hr plus "discounted parts" You are an idiot and I honestly feel your original post is fabricated. You are the loser customer who wants something for nothing.
really??
United States of Americawhipple employee
#5UPDATE Employee
Wed, December 21, 2011
MY name is Ashley i am a Whipple Employee and as that i know that when a call is taken we ALWAYS quote the dispatch fee. It's not something unheard of other companies charge an after hours fee as to where we don't and trust me when your furnace or water heater or furnace ect goes out on say Christmas you'll be very happy that we are around for the simple fact none of the other companies answer their phones on holidays ect.We are a business of course but we do not lie to get a sale and just because one might think we are expensive does not mean that we are a rip off.We are an honest and Loyal company.We have 100% satisfaction when you have an issue you can call us anytime and we handle it!! I am always more than happy to assist with any questions or concerns one may have.Our techs are very knowledgeable and CERTIFIED.You always get what you pay for you shop cheap you are going to get cheap just like Macey's compared to Walmart. Our service goes above and beyond expectations.And we are always here to help all you have to do is ask.