- Report: #1311406
Complaint Review: Orlando J Castano - Costa Mesa California
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Orlando J Castano
3042 Country Club Dr Costa Mesa, 92626 California, USA
Phone:
949-757-0185
Web:
www.orlandocastano.com/
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Orlando J Castano Orlando Castano, attorney Slimy experience with this customer, an attorney Costa Mesa California
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RIPPED OFF the amount three sums of $525.99(motor/ seals/ install) and $85.00 (trip charge) and $35.00 (chargeback fee) from Orlando Castano, attorney. Orlando Castano hired us to change his pool pump motor which had been tripping the circuit breaker immediately each time breaker was reset suggesting a direct short of the pool pump motor internally. We provided an estimate which was approved by Orlando Castano, our company returned to install the motor and seals. When we went to turn the motor on we tested for power and were only receiving 110v at the time clock. We immediately told Orlando both by phone and email DO NOT RUN THE NEW MOTOR UNTIL YOU HAVE EN ELECTRICIAN TROUBLESHOOT THE VOLTAGE DROP. We turned the double pole breaker off in the panel, turned the switch off under the time clock, removed the on and off trippers and turned the timer off. Orlando Castano turned the breaker back on, turned the switch back on, put the trippers back on, turned the timer back on and allowed the pump to run with improper voltage as though we said NOTHING.
Email sent on 3/31/14:
Sent: Mon, Mar 31, 2014 12:10 pm
Subject: motor running at half power
3/31/2014
Hi Orlando,
Brian came out this morning and installed your new motor and seals for pump.
He noticed was only running half speed.Then found the motor was only pulling 110 volts (one leg ) instead of 240 volts which is required for proper operation of the motor. He checked your breakers. You have both breakers ,One marked pool pump and the other marked garage outlet feeding to the pool motors . Said your other pump/motor is seized and pump leaking
You can start/run the motor on 110 volt but, will eventually burn up the new motor. He believes there is a short or a crossed wire somewhere in the wiring. He believes this is what caused your motors to fail in the first place. He has turned off your pool system, the timer and the breakers. Do not turn on system until you can get an electrician out there to determine the problem.
Thank you,
Steve
We did not hear from Orlando again until May 2,2014 when Orlando called to schedule an appointment to troubleshoot his pool heater stating its "doing the same thing". Technician arrived and pool pump motor was running and didn't sound right, technician touched the motor and it was extremely HOT. Then proceeded to check voltage to the pool pump, 110VOLTS!! Technician had the office call Orlando and remind him we told him 6 weeks prior NOT to run this pool pump until a licensed electrician troubleshoots and repairs the issue as the pump and heater both require 240volts.
We explained to him he is going to ruin this motor and he voided the warranty of the motor by running it at improper voltage for 6 weeks against our recommendation verbally and in writing.
Orlando sends us a letter on May 15, 2014 stating he called Boyer Electric and County Leak Services in addition, requesting motor warranty information, which was left at the time of install. We reminded him again, he voided the warranty but was free to contact the manufacturer. Orlando writes" Please accept this letter as my request for replacement of the Pool Pump (we installed a motor, not a pump) you installed at my home, located.......... It is my understanding that such equipment comes with a 1 year warranty and I have good reason to believe that the pump installed was defective". The pump (we installed a motor, not a pump), we TOLD YOU NOT TO RUN and you ran anyway at improper voltage for 6 weeks? Now, its our fault you're an idiot?? Orlando continues "As you are aware, I was having issue with not enough voltage coming to the timer to fired up the heater. (I am aware because WE TOLD YOU!). I was also having abnormally high water draining/ evaporation from the pool. I enlisted Boyer Electric and County Leak Services. (What does either have to do with us?? You were told to call an Electrician 6 WEEKS PRIOR). "It appears the seal on the motor leaks water or gasket missing, and that is pulling more amps than it should. Nevertheless, the consensus is that the motor needs to be replaced, and that is should be under a 1 year warranty under California Law." So the motor that YOU RAN for 6 weeks against our advice, and you failed to call an Electrician for 6 weeks somehow deems you, the imbecile who doesn't listen to our company having to contact the manufacturer and demand a new motor, under warranty.. even though you were told this would damage the motor and void the warranty. There's a real simple solution TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for YOUR inaction. This is on YOU, not us.
July 3, 2014 Orlando Castano performs a chargeback on his credit card now stating we installed a motor greater than 1.0 but Orlando doesn't understand 1.65 is a 1.0hp, service factor is added to arrive at 1.65thp. An (746 watts x 1.0) amperage rating located on the motor sticker with would add up to a 1hp. Orlando goes on to claim the motor which HE RAN FOR 6 WEEKS AGAINST OUR RECOMMENDATION was now defective and we or the manufacturer are somehow responsible for him not following simple instructions.
On September 9, 2014 Orlando Castano sued us in small claims court and lost- some attorney. Additionally the coward went to summon the bailiff because the defendant yelled at him. During the court trial Orlando Castano arrived and asked the bailiff if his case could be heard right away because afterall, he's an attorney.. The bailiff laughed and said no you have to wait to be called. During testimony Orlando Castano claimed he had TWO licensed electricians at his home and it took them both "hours" to find the problem. The judge asked if it was such a simple issue as Orlando Castano inferred why did it take two licensed electricians 8 hours?
To date Orlando Castano has not paid a penny for the pump motor of mine he has, nor has he returned it. We are also owed an $85 service call for the 2nd trip charge on May 2nd to discover the only problem was this man doesn't listen to the most elementary of instructions both verbally and email.
We threatened and attempted to file a mechanic's lien but it was sent off too late and rejected by the county recorder. Orlando writes " Should you file a mechanic's lien, I will be able to turn around and have the lien removed, as well as sue for Defamation of Title. The code allows recovery of costs and attorneys fees, which my attorney says could easily get to $6,000". Another attempt to use his 'profession' to intimidate me but he is also wrong. These fees are capped just over $1,000.00. He continues to write" I suggest you get real legal advice before proceeding and opening a can of worms you do not know about. I am not like you other clients that you pressure and scare into paying your liens. The law is 110% on my side and I will win (how'd that work out for you again?). Your continued efforts to collect are harassment, subjecting you to civil and criminal penalties. Tread at your own risk." Is this the same guy who summoned the bailiff?
I could add the voluminous statements and emails going back and fourth but you get the gist-
I wonder, if Orlando Castano, attorney at law, would rip off his pool guy who knows where he lives for $600 how ethical is this attorney? I will continue to exercise my First Amendment right and tell everyone of my experience with Orlando Castano
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