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Review 8/15/2010
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Mike Stern Plumbing was sent by my insurance company (First American) to replace a ?leaking water heater tank.?
In order to trump up revenue (in addition to small amount they would get from the ?insurance company), they claimed that they needed to do additional UNESECCARY ?work in order to replace the water tank/heater.?
For each one of these bogus repair items, they wanted to overcharge for them by more ?than 5 times their value.?
One of these 3 trumped up charges was to replace a 1 foot copper hose they claimed was ?old and corroded. In fact, the hose was brand new and had no corrosion whatsoever (I’m ?an Engineer, and I know what I’m talking about). They wanted to charge $110 to replace ?it when an honest plumber would not charge more than $10 for it (When replaced ?together with the water tank it was attached to)?
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Business's response - on 8/20/2010
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In regards to your recent complaint I really believe that your frustration is projected at the wrong party, unfortunately when a customer is displeased it's because their ins. co doesn't cover a certain part of the job and there are certain upgrades that need to be done in order to correct any or all code violations. You mentioned a copper hose, I don't think I've ever seen a hose made of copper but I think you might be referring to a copper/brass water heater connector you stated that we quoted you $110 to install. I believe this would of been for both HOT and COLD Water Heater connectors since you need 2 to complete an installation and our techs. are required to replace these particular parts no matter how NEW or OLD they might be, the reason is simple..these connectors have special seals at each end and once they are tighten they form the shape of what pipping/ fitting they are attached to.. it's almost like being molded to the pipe or fitting, once we remove them we take the chance of them not sealing properly when attached to another pipe/ fitting. In our business we cannot afford that risk! Because trust me if that connection leaked and cause damaged you would be the first one blaming us for not changing it!! and you would be right. As far you stating that the ins. co. pays us very little you are right! Let me explain in detail...The ins. co. pays for the actual cost of the W/H we have to send our tech. to pick up the W/H at the supply house otherwise it would be at least 3 days or more if we waited for the ins. co. to deliver it to the homeowner so we do this to help you out so you won't be without Hot water for how ever long it would take otherwise..When we get to your house we have to drain the OLD W/H and disconnect all the plumbing and remove old W/H the installation usually consist of the following: A) Properly installing the vent pipping which includes 3 sheet metal screws per connection B) installing a new gas supply connector and new line valve C)
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