Messick Plumbing & Heating

On August 11, a service call came in from *** *** at ** *** *** *** **The reason she called was for a leak on a water pipe in the basementOur service rates and procedures were explained before dispatching the callUpon diagnosing the leak, we found that the sleeve around
the main water line was not properly sealedIn order to repair this correctly, we would need to dig up the line outside the wall and repair the leak form both sides of the wallThis was all explained to *** *** and an approximate estimate was given and she stated she would call us back after getting other estimatesWe collected payment in full and waited to hear back from herThe following day we did call *** *** to see if she wanted to move forward and she stated she would call us back and she was still getting estimates. We received a charge back dated September 6, and I was not aware that there were any payment issues until *** *** did this charge backI contacted *** *** on September 15, and explained that we do not do free estimates on this type of work and that all of our service procedures and rates were explained to herAttached please find a copy of our Plumbing Work Order/Invoice # *** and authorization signed by *** ***

Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:
I was NEVER informed that there would be a charge for their providing an estimate, and this was explained to the service Technician who came out to the house.  My signature on the estimate was just that, a signature for the estimate, should I proceed to have them do the work.  I did not, since their estimate was 2x anyone elses to repair the leak.  My signature was NOT authorizing a $185 charge for them to drive 5 miles to my home.
Regards,
[redacted]

Review: I called Messick and asked them to come out and provide an estimate to repair a water leak of unknown origin in my basement. When the tech came out, he provided me with the estimate and a bill of $185 just for providing the estimate. This includes $128 for 1 hour of his time, $45 service charge, and $12 tax. He spent a total of 10 minutes at my home I told him that no one told me on the phone that there would be a charge for providing an estimate and that I never would have pursued an estimate with them, and he agreed that I should have been told.

I put the $185 in dispute with my credit card company, but the charge had already been paid and Messick refused to refund it. They reasoned that this was what they needed to do to stay in business. No work was ever (or will ever) performed by Messick at my home.Desired Settlement: Credit to my credit card account for the $185 fee

Business

Response:

On August 11, 2014 a service call came in from [redacted] at [redacted]. The reason she called was for a leak on a water pipe in the basement. Our service rates and procedures were explained before dispatching the call. Upon diagnosing the leak, we found that the sleeve around the main water line was not properly sealed. In order to repair this correctly, we would need to dig up the line outside the wall and repair the leak form both sides of the wall. This was all explained to [redacted] and an approximate estimate was given and she stated she would call us back after getting other estimates. We collected payment in full and waited to hear back from her. The following day we did call [redacted] to see if she wanted to move forward and she stated she would call us back and she was still getting estimates. We received a charge back dated September 6, 2014 and I was not aware that there were any payment issues until [redacted] did this charge back. I contacted [redacted] on September 15, 2014 and explained that we do not do free estimates on this type of work and that all of our service procedures and rates were explained to her. Attached please find a copy of our Plumbing Work Order/Invoice # [redacted] and authorization signed by [redacted].

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

I was NEVER informed that there would be a charge for their providing an estimate, and this was explained to the service Technician who came out to the house. My signature on the estimate was just that, a signature for the estimate, should I proceed to have them do the work. I did not, since their estimate was 2x anyone elses to repair the leak. My signature was NOT authorizing a $185 charge for them to drive 5 miles to my home.

Regards,