Hartlaub Plumbing, Inc.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.[redacted]'s employee, [redacted], clearly stated at the time that I signed the paperwork that it would take 3 or more hours.  In fact, I now remember him saying 3-4 or more hours because I had to be somewhere by 4:00 and wondered if 4 hours or more would take us past 2:45 and if I'd have to cancel my other engagement.  [redacted] was there for less than 2 hours.  When I signed the document for $509, I was acknowledging that the $200 quoted on the phone might not be accurate.  But, it was based upon the "expert" advise that I was given that it would take 3-4 or more hours.  The sales presentation did not match the document that I was asked to sign.In addition, I just called a few plumbing places and they averaged about $100 per hour.  Without seeing the place, the average quote was $300.  If I were to pay Mr. [redacted] the average salary for a plumber doing this kind of work (winterizing a house) for the 2 hours spent, would give me a $200 bill.  I was charged $509 dollars for a $200 job.  I am asking for $150 back.  Even after the refund, they would still be making $359 for a 2 hour job. [redacted]'s problem is that he does not understand the difference between legal and ethical.  Legally, he would win in a court of law.  This is not a court of law.  This is the Revdex.com which is respected for its ability to protect consumers from unethical business behavior.I believe that [redacted]'s trucks bear the Revdex.com Logo on them.  I assumed this meant that they respected the Revdex.com and its ethical authority.  As I wrote previously, [redacted] has no respect for the Revdex.com or basic business ethics.  He blatantly said that he would simply fax a copy of the document I signed to you and you would rule in his favor.  He also offered me $20 to not contact the Revdex.com, Angie's List, or seek other remedies.   Please rule in my favor and ask [redacted] to refund me $150.
Regards,
[redacted]

I spoke last night to Mr [redacted] regarding the complaint.  We have refunded him a check in the amount of $150.00.  Thanks!

September 11, 2014To Whom it May Concern:When Mr. [redacted] called and requested an estimate of the cost to winterize a home over the phone, he was told it would be approximately $260, including the trip charge. This was based on the requirements of a typical city residence. However, when...

the plumber arrived and learned this house was on a well, he informed the customer that the cost of winterization would necessarily be higher for such a house. Though he was displeased at the increased cost, he agreed to have Hartlaub Plumbing proceed with the work, both verbally and in writing.With regard to the time that it took to perform the work, our firm does not charge on a time and materials basis. Rather, we charge a flat-rate per each task we perform, labor and material included. This method is fast becoming the industry standard. The pricing we use comes from a third-party vendor, who serves the plumbing industry in this capacity. They formulate pricing based on a wide variety of factors, including over-head costs, time studies related to each task, etc. We believe this system is fair to both parties and we are up-front about being a flat-rate firm.It is unfair for Mr. [redacted] to file a complaint about the price, after he accepted the terms of the work. We did agree to apply our standard discounted trip fee to his bill but he decided that he had been wronged and demanded the return of $150 or else he was going to file a complaint against us. Again, he was given the adjusted estimate before any work was done and he agreed to it. He was free to decline and seek other bids but by his own admission stated that it was inconvenient for him to do so. Therefore, we believe that we performed this work in good faith and that Mr. [redacted] understood exactly what he was getting for his money. As such, we feel that this complaint is nothing more than a vindictive attempt to exhort money from our firm, after we provided exactly the service that we were contracted to provide.Respectfully Submitted,[redacted]

Review: I called [redacted] on a Thursday night and he quoted me $200 to winterize my father’s home. When his employee, [redacted], came he looked at the house and said that the $200 quote was based on city water and no water softener. I can’t believe that most houses don’t have a water softener and no one ever asked if we had a well. So, the job that he quoted at $200 suddenly became a 3+ hour job for $509. He had me sign to authorize work. I had already taken off work and waited for them to show up. I was not going to take another day off. [redacted] was done in less than 2 hours. So, I expected something less than $509 since he had grossly over-estimated the job to start with. When I called [redacted], he said that they do not quote based on hours (even though [redacted] had said it would take at least 3 hours) and that was why they were charging me extra. I was assertive and said that I wanted 1 hour work ($150) off the bill. [redacted] got very aggressive and started jumbling his facts. I told him that I planned to write the Revdex.com and Angie’s list. So, he offered me $20. I declined his offer and he told me that the Revdex.com and Angie’s List wouldn’t do anything anyways. I challenge you to prove him wrong. Dear Fellow Angie’s Lister, please make my experience and my words not be in vain.Desired Settlement: I would like Hatlaub to refund 1 hours worth of service for $150. I paid $509 for what was supposed to be over 3 hours of service. $509 - $59 trip charge = 450. $450/3 = $150.

Business

Response:

September 11, 2014

We used this service to fix a problem with shower flow of water. The plumber said it was a valve problem or Water heater problem. On 2-21-13 he replaced valves at a cost of several hundred dollars. When this failed to solve problem,on 2-25-13 he put in hot water heater for $1431. Problem still was not solved with shower water flow. Another source looked at our problem and said shower head needed cleaning and this simple fix solved the problem. WOULD NEVER USE HARTLAUB AGAIN! We spent a lot of money on a problem that did not get fix when only a simple solution was needed.

I requested service from them and an employee came out. I thought it was a plumber that I was speaking to especially since there was a service fee charged. A plumber came out and initially stated that the floor drain was clogged, but then stated that it was the main line going out to the street. I paid for this service to be performed. Days later, I noticed that there was still standing water in the floor drain, which was my original complaint. I contacted the company and spoke to the person that performed the service and was told that I would have to stick my hand into this disgusting drain filled with toilet water and unclog it myself. I called this company out to perform a service and to be told that I would have to do that was ridiculous. They came into my home and they were too access the situation and correct it. Why would I call a plumbing company out to only be told that the problem that still remained would have to be rectified by me? This is no way to conduct business and VERY unprofessional. Never again will I use them nor refer them to anyone.