Always A Sweep Chimney and Dryer Vent Service

Thank you so much for the kind words. It was definitely our pleasure!

Dear Mr. A,
We do appreciate your feedback and are really sorry about the condition of your fireplace. We do try to be as detailed as possible and let our customers know the condition of their fireplace and level of risk using not our own subjective opinion but the national fire code standards from the National Fire Protection Association and the particular manufacturer's guidelines for repair and replacement of this particular fireplace.

Because the installers did not follow the manufacturer's instructions, the system has been potentially hazardous in the attic area since day one. And since, it has had so large of fires in it beyond what the manufacturer intended so regularly, the level of deterioration is significant enough that the system needs to be replaced before using it. We are really sorry about that. The repair that you mentioned was not our recommended course of action as we felt it was a bandaid that only allowed for very limited use, but we provided it at your request.

Our office quoted $369-409 (depending on access to the chimney) to Sweep and perform a NFPA Level 2 inspection and in the end what you were charged was substantially less as the system was different from what you described.

For the 90 minutes on site you described, we did have both a Sweep's apprentice and a Nationally Certified Chimney Professional (CSIA.org) on site providing the service as well maintaining extensive Professional Liability Insurance (specifically for Chimneys), Commercial Auto Liability, and up to date Workman's Comp insurance to protect you in case of any mishaps. These constantly rising costs, unfortunately keep our costs rising as well.

I am sorry that we were not able to offer you the requested veteran's discount for protesting the Vietnam War and helping Draft Dodgers into Canada. I do fully support the expression of free speech and did agree with many of the points you were making. We just reserve the 10% Veteran's Discount for those who have served our Country to maintain our freedom to voice our disagreements with each other and our government.

We do truly feel sympathy for anyone depending on our government for their fixed income, and as a business owner, I currently pay over 15% of my income just into that Social Security fund which I do not expect to benefit me in retirement, but am glad that it is helping to fund those currently in need of it.

We did enjoy the conversation and would look forward that game of chess sometime.

Sincerely,
Joshua B
Always A Sweep Chimney and Dryer Vent, Service, LLC.

Dear Mr. A,
We appreciate your feedback on our business model and how we present ourselves. I am sorry that our response caused offense. It was not our intent to disrespect you, and we did our best to provide the highest level of service to you while on sight even installing an animal guard at no charge over the outside combustion air intake that had been left open to animal intrusion.
We also try to be very clear on our pricing with all customers before we come out so that there are no surprises. In your case, we charged less than what we quoted and did more than we promised.
Our rationale for not providing the Veteran's discount that you requested was mentioned because it seemed to be the start of tension in the conversation after we declined awarding that discount. Please forgive me if I misread that situation. If you would have requested another type of discount, then we could have considered that on an alternate basis, and maybe if I would have suggested something different we wouldn't be having this conversation. Any discount we provide comes out of the money that supports our employees families' and our own family of nine. We provide the 10% Veteran's discount or 10% First Responders Discount not just to say thank you to those who have sacrificed and served preserving freedom, upholding justice and, protecting others without regard to their own lives or safety, but also because we feel that the reoccurring symbolic value for ourselves and our children watching outweigh the 10% loss to our family income. To provide this in this case would have been antithetical to the reason that we offer it in the first place and to the above values that we try to instill in our children. We can treat you with respect you as a person, provide first class service, and even agree with you on many matters without backing down from our beliefs just to avoid social tension.
With regards to your business model insights, we will continue to regularly evaluate our overhead expenses, and do our best to keep our costs under control in order to maintain the same high level of dependable and knowledgeable service that so many have come to appreciate. We sincerely wish you the best, and let us know if we are able to provide assistance in the future.

Sincerely,
Joshua