- Report: #186066
Complaint Review: A Good Plumber - Wichita Kansas
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A Good Plumber
4444 Southeast Blvd. Wichita, 67210 Kansas, U.S.A.
Phone:
316-788-3000
Web:
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A Good Plumber, Failed to do what they were paid to do. Did not want to make right. ripoff Wichita Kansas
On March 22, 2006 I had a local (Wichita and Derby, Kansas) plumbing firm called ""A Good Plumber Inc." come to my house to install a new hot water tank and also to clean out my main sewer. The woman I talked with was very nice and did a good sales job. I felt reasonably comfortable in hiring her firm. They had a large Yellow Page ad. It was a big mistake on my part and perhaps this report will help keep others from making the stressful mistake that I made.
When I made the arrangements to have the plumbers out the woman I talked to did not tell me that two men would be out. But two men came out and I had to pay for both. The bill was considerably more than I had been quoted. I know that the exact amount can't be quoted until they come out. But she wasn't even close. In addition, the plumbers did not give me an estimate when they came out. They just went to work. I was supposed to get an estimate (not a free one, however.)
The plumbers said there were hardly any roots in the sewer. Turns out they lied. That or they didn't actually do what I paid them to do. You'll see why I say that as you read on.
The bill came to $1015.50. I paid them by credit card. It was much more than the woman had quoted me but I didn't argue at that point. The plumbers names were Gary and Philip. I don't know their last names.
I can't read the bill too well but in part it says, "Augured sewer line from basement C.O. 100 to city main pulled back minimal roots. Had to replace brass C.O. plug with new 3 1/2 expandable plug due to threads on C.O. tee being ate out." That part of the bill was about $129. The bill was not itemized but that's what the company later told me when I was about to do a chargeback on my credit card.
About two weeks later I discovered water standing in my basement where the main sewer line is and where the water usually drains quickly. The plumbers would have had to go into that drain to clean out the sewer. I called them to come out and fix it but they refused. I told the woman (the owner I think) that I would do a chargeback on my credit card for the part charged for the sewer cleaning. She was very nasty to me and said my job had been "a pain in the butt." Her manner was defensive and rude. I think she was the owner but I'm not sure.
She told me in a nasty manner to have someone out to fix it. I fully intended at that point to do a credit card chargeback. I wasn't going to fool with her any more. I told her I was going to post all this on the Internet and she said, "Oh, yeah." She added some nasty things and I just hung up. I can't recall dealing with such an unprofessional person in a business situation before. She could have easily salvaged my business and resolved the problem but she opted not to. At least her reputation would have been intact had she been cooperative.
I called Roto-Rooter to come out April 11, 2006 and look at it and fix it. Their reputation in this area is unblemished. They had to do clean the entire sewer. He was here several hours. He said it didn't appear to have been cleaned at all. I'm attaching his report. The Roto-Rooter plumber told me that he took out lots of roots. He said there were lots of complaints about ""A Good Plumber"." He also told me that it didn't look as if ""A Good Plumber"" had done anything at all to the sewer.
The Roto-Rooter man told me that I have a "good sewer" and that there's nothing wrong with it at all. It was just plugged up with roots, which is what I paid "A Good Plumber" to fix.
"A Good Plumber" finally told me that if I sent them the Roto-Rooter bill they would reimburse me for what I paid them. I will add on to this report if they do that. I had to fight to get them to do that. They were not going to do anything until I fought with them and got my credit card company on the phone and was about to make a chargeback. They, of course, didn't want that as it's bad for their merchant account. I may do it anyway. But since they are offering to make it reasonably right by me I am more or less obligated to see if they will. I ended out spending yet more money, however.
Todd Webber did the work for Roto-Rooter. The bill was $141.82. I have every reason to believe he did an excellent job doing what "A Good Plumber" should have done.
Susanna
Wichita, Kansas
U.S.A.
When I made the arrangements to have the plumbers out the woman I talked to did not tell me that two men would be out. But two men came out and I had to pay for both. The bill was considerably more than I had been quoted. I know that the exact amount can't be quoted until they come out. But she wasn't even close. In addition, the plumbers did not give me an estimate when they came out. They just went to work. I was supposed to get an estimate (not a free one, however.)
The plumbers said there were hardly any roots in the sewer. Turns out they lied. That or they didn't actually do what I paid them to do. You'll see why I say that as you read on.
The bill came to $1015.50. I paid them by credit card. It was much more than the woman had quoted me but I didn't argue at that point. The plumbers names were Gary and Philip. I don't know their last names.
I can't read the bill too well but in part it says, "Augured sewer line from basement C.O. 100 to city main pulled back minimal roots. Had to replace brass C.O. plug with new 3 1/2 expandable plug due to threads on C.O. tee being ate out." That part of the bill was about $129. The bill was not itemized but that's what the company later told me when I was about to do a chargeback on my credit card.
About two weeks later I discovered water standing in my basement where the main sewer line is and where the water usually drains quickly. The plumbers would have had to go into that drain to clean out the sewer. I called them to come out and fix it but they refused. I told the woman (the owner I think) that I would do a chargeback on my credit card for the part charged for the sewer cleaning. She was very nasty to me and said my job had been "a pain in the butt." Her manner was defensive and rude. I think she was the owner but I'm not sure.
She told me in a nasty manner to have someone out to fix it. I fully intended at that point to do a credit card chargeback. I wasn't going to fool with her any more. I told her I was going to post all this on the Internet and she said, "Oh, yeah." She added some nasty things and I just hung up. I can't recall dealing with such an unprofessional person in a business situation before. She could have easily salvaged my business and resolved the problem but she opted not to. At least her reputation would have been intact had she been cooperative.
I called Roto-Rooter to come out April 11, 2006 and look at it and fix it. Their reputation in this area is unblemished. They had to do clean the entire sewer. He was here several hours. He said it didn't appear to have been cleaned at all. I'm attaching his report. The Roto-Rooter plumber told me that he took out lots of roots. He said there were lots of complaints about ""A Good Plumber"." He also told me that it didn't look as if ""A Good Plumber"" had done anything at all to the sewer.
The Roto-Rooter man told me that I have a "good sewer" and that there's nothing wrong with it at all. It was just plugged up with roots, which is what I paid "A Good Plumber" to fix.
"A Good Plumber" finally told me that if I sent them the Roto-Rooter bill they would reimburse me for what I paid them. I will add on to this report if they do that. I had to fight to get them to do that. They were not going to do anything until I fought with them and got my credit card company on the phone and was about to make a chargeback. They, of course, didn't want that as it's bad for their merchant account. I may do it anyway. But since they are offering to make it reasonably right by me I am more or less obligated to see if they will. I ended out spending yet more money, however.
Todd Webber did the work for Roto-Rooter. The bill was $141.82. I have every reason to believe he did an excellent job doing what "A Good Plumber" should have done.
Susanna
Wichita, Kansas
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Susanna
Wichita,Kansas,
U.S.A.
The Sewer IS Good - Was Inspected
#2Author of original report
Mon, July 24, 2006
My sewer was inspected and found to be in VERY GOOD condition. Since Roto Rooter cleaned it, it has been perfect. The problem did not lie in the sewer.
Leonardo
Runnemede,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Not A Good Sewer
#3Consumer Comment
Mon, July 24, 2006
I'm a plumbing contractor in the South Jersey area. I had to comment on what Roto rooter said about your having a 'good" sewer. If roots are getting into your sewer and you have to have it cleaned on a regular basis then you in fact do not have a "good" sewer. There is a breach in the line for the roots to enter the drain. It may be a crack or the roots may be entering through a lead or cement joint. Depending on the material the sewer is made of.
Susanna
Wichita,Kansas,
U.S.A.
Company Refunded My Money for Sewer Cleaning.
#4Author of original report
Sat, April 15, 2006
On April 12, 2006 there was a credit to my credit card in the amount of $129.50, which is the amount the company said I paid for the sewer cleaning. This was the proper action for them to take and I'm satisfied with their action. However, I doubt they would treat me right if I ever have problems with the hot water tank. They probably would not give me service on it even though they should. This, of course, is only my opinion based on my experience with "A Good Plumber, Inc." Should that ever happen, I'll report it here. I highly advise anyone in the Wichita area not to do business with these people. They are terrible to do business with and they are not, in my opinion, good plumbers or good business people.
