[ 2021 ] Unpleasant experience with a plumber today

[Gypsy65]

IMHO, the old adage, "If you want something done right, do it yourself," is true.
Hence, if it's something that I can learn how to do on YouTube, I'm game to try it.

.

There’s also a saying
“ The money you save doing it yourself will come in handy when you want it done right “

This though is an easy fix and you are correct. YouTube would show just that

I actually just did this last week. Not YouTube as I have a construction background
But had a slow faucet. Tore it out. Took faucet apart to find the reason. Fixed it and re installed it
1/2 jour
Would have easily been a 2 hour job had I not needed to leave as there would have been cocktails involved

 

[Gypsy65]

In this state, plumbers are licensed, so you could write a complaint to the licensing agency.

Not sure this would do anything as the original quote was verbal
Now a written estimate would be another story
It’s a good idea to verify the fee upon arrival of any job before any work is started

 

[controller1]

One thing this reminded me of is that plumbers, mechanics, HVAC companies, etc make most of their money on the parts they sell which they purchase at wholesale and sell at retail with a healthy markup.

About 50 years ago I saw the following posted in a mechanic's shop:
You don't take two eggs to a restaurant and ask them to cook them.
Don't bring your auto parts here and ask to have them installed.

I've thought of that several times over the years. I'm not saying buying a plumbing fixture and asking to have it installed is wrong. It was stated upfront this was the proposal and a quote was given!

 

[MrockStar]

I guess i wont complain about my main bath pluming repair then. My toilet was running on so it needed a new fill valve. no big deal. after installing it it cracked the fill tube. Bummer picked up a new one and took the tank off. got it all back together and guess what drip drip from under the tank seal and the stainless steel fill line. ARRGG. 5 hours later and a lot of adjustments its now working again. Iam an electronics Tech and love it , but i really admire and respect plumbers. Some times its really worth the 100-150 an hour a good charges. I HATE Plumbing jobs.

 

[Gypsy65]

I guess i wont complain about my main bath pluming repair then. My toilet was running on so it needed a new fill valve. no big deal. after installing it it cracked the fill tube. Bummer picked up a new one and took the tank off. got it all back together and guess what drip drip from under the tank seal and the stainless steel fill line. ARRGG. 5 hours later and a lot of adjustments its now working again. Iam an electronics Tech and love it , but i really admire and respect plumbers. Some times its really worth the 100-150 an hour a good charges. I HATE Plumbing jobs.

But that’s how you learn right?
And now you have a little experience a d a story to tell
And now plumbing is even easier with the shark bite fittings. I have experience in the trades and that product still amazes me


Just a guess. But was it dripping from being to tight?

 

[MrockStar]

But that’s how you learn right?
And now you have a little experience a d a story to tell
And now plumbing is even easier with the shark bite fittings. I have experience in the trades and that product still amazes me


Just a guess. But was it dripping from being to tight?

No just an older hose that had no gasket. New style has a gasket.

 

[am1]

I would not want to pay more then $20 to change that. We use a few plumbers and their prices annoy me not that it is always a lot but if its just doing one thing it is a lot compared to if you had a full or half days work for them.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Youtube is your best friend with these kinds of repairs/ replacements. Rick has a mile-long list of things to do in our house. The dryer parts are arriving today and he has our dryer torn apart in anticipation of those rollers and the new pulley. We bought them on Amazon for $39. The dryer was squealing and has been for two years.

I am so glad the problem will be resolved today.

Now our electronic Schlage front door lock needs new batteries. He needs to figure that out.

 

[Patri]

Now our electronic Schlage front door lock needs new batteries. He needs to figure that out.

Cindy, YOU figure it out!

 

[Gypsy65]

I would not want to pay more then $20 to change that. We use a few plumbers and their prices annoy me not that it is always a lot but if its just doing one thing it is a lot compared to if you had a full or half days work for them.

$20
Really?
WTH
Many if not all trades require a 4-5 year apprenticeship program
Many are self employed contractors. Own their own trucks. Pay their own insurances and both sides of the taxes. Their own retirement etc

How does anyone think a computer guy is worth his rate?
The chef his?

I wouldn’t look at a picture of your plumbing problem for $20 much less put on my underwear and drive to your house

 

[am1]

$20
Really?
WTH
Many if not all trades require a 4-5 year apprenticeship program
Many are self employed contractors. Own their own trucks. Pay their own insurances and both sides of the taxes

How does anyone think a computer guy is worth his rate?
The chef his?

I wouldn’t look at a picture of your plumbing problem for $20 much less put on my underwear and drive to your house

I agree but the prices are the prices. Where I live a plumber should be $60 a day. Thats inline with a chainsaw guy who has his own equipment, gas, oil etc. Milling lumber.

Yesterday paid $7 to get my car washed inside and out and it was very dirty from spending the weekend driving through mud, rivers and dusty roads. But during covid I brought a shop vac and usually do it myself. We have 3.

I use to pay $8 or so to get my lawn cut (postage size) but bought a lawnmower and $500 weed wacker (overkill but more for my acre beach lot I have to do once a month or so). Also started doing the neighbours during Covid as there was no one out working but now I do not know how to sop doing it. Takes less then 15 minutes and we are good friends but I choose to do 10 things more then the husband who was stuck in their country when this started. For the price the would easily pay someone but trouble scheduling and I do not want their money.

 

[Gypsy65]

I agree but the prices are the prices. Where I live a plumber should be $60 a day. Thats inline with a chainsaw guy who has his own equipment, gas, oil etc. Milling lumber.

Yesterday paid $7 to get my car washed inside and out and it was very dirty from spending the weekend driving through mud, rivers and dusty roads. But during covid I brought a shop vac and usually do it myself. We have 3.

I use to pay $8 or so to get my lawn cut (postage size) but bought a lawnmower and $500 weed wacker (overkill but more for my acre beach lot I have to do once a month or so). Also started doing the neighbours during Covid as there was no one out working but now I do not know how to sop doing it. Takes less then 15 minutes and we are good friends but I choose to do 10 things more then the husband who was stuck in their country when this started. For the price the would easily pay someone but trouble scheduling and I do not want their money.

I am certainly missing something?

Where do you live where a car detail is $7??

Where I am it’s more like $200
I just paid $1400 for a specific detail coating on my pickup

I’m thinking your $ and US $ might be two very different numbers

That. Or I need to move to where you are

 

[am1]

I am certainly missing something?

Where do you live where a car detail is $7??

Where I am it’s more like $200
I just paid $1400 for a specific detail coating on my pickup

I’m thinking your $ and US $ might be two very different numbers

That. Or I need to move to where you are

USD$ at least until they are inflated away. I am sure your $200 car wash was better then my $7 dollar one, Sad part is my truck gets dirty every week but but not to the extent this week.

 

[VacationForever]

I am certainly missing something?

Where do you live where a car detail is $7??

Where I am it’s more like $200
I just paid $1400 for a specific detail coating on my pickup

I’m thinking your $ and US $ might be two very different numbers

That. Or I need to move to where you are

He lives in South America...

 

[Gypsy65]

He lives in South America...

Full circle
Now it makes complete sense

 

[dioxide45]

Full circle
Now it makes complete sense

Yeah, pretty much irrelevant to the conversation here.

 

[am1]

Yeah, pretty much irrelevant to the conversation here.

Yes labour is cheaper here but it just shows that a lot places the costs are out of wack. Point is even at the prices stated I would rather do it myself when and if I can as well as the investment and storage of tools does not outweigh cost savings and satisfaction of doing it myself plus not worrying about being overcharged even if it still is not a lot.

 

[controller1]

Yes labour is cheaper here but it just shows that a lot places the costs are out of wack. Point is even at the prices stated I would rather do it myself when and if I can as well as the investment and storage of tools does not outweigh cost savings and satisfaction of doing it myself plus not worrying about being overcharged even if it still is not a lot.

When you didn't answer the question yourself about where you were located it appears you were intentionally trying to remain irrelevant to the discussion at hand.

 

[easyrider]

When you didn't answer the question yourself about where you were located it appears you were intentionally trying to remain irrelevant to the discussion at hand.

I think she lives in Mayberry back in the 60's, lol.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

There are many expenses regarding being a contractor. I outlined a few earlier in this thread. Another expense of contracting that people never think of are keeping employees busy for at least 40 hours a week. There are times, especially when doing short jobs, that the employee or contractor has nothing to do. If a job takes 1 hour there is 7 hours left in that day. I know contractors who get enough calls to do this and when its slow they do what we all do, buy a job for ourselves. When it was slow for us I had plenty of work we could do on my own projects. Work I paid for to keep employees busy.

Bill

 

[geekette]

There are many expenses regarding being a contractor. I outlined a few earlier in this thread. Another expense of contracting that people never think of are keeping employees busy for at least 40 hours a week. There are times, especially when doing short jobs, that the employee or contractor has nothing to do. If a job takes 1 hour there is 7 hours left in that day. I know contractors who get enough calls to do this and when its slow they do what we all do, buy a job for ourselves. When it was slow for us I had plenty of work we could do on my own projects. Work I paid for to keep employees busy.

Bill

I got a major discount on my basement waterproofing by taking pot luck on when the crew would be idle. I do like small businesses, would rather spend with them than big ole corps, and an owner concerned about keeping employees busy and paid is someone I definitely want to do business with.

Yeah, it's tricky stuff, and being mindful of your employees' income needs matters. Good on you!

 

[RX8]

I see it’s been a while since this was posted, but I’m curious—did anyone else end up finding a plumber they could truly trust after a bad experience? I’ve had a few letdowns myself and started asking for personal recommendations from neighbors, which helped. Also wondering if anyone here has tried using local Facebook groups to find reliable tradespeople—worked surprisingly well for me.

I have relied on my neighborhood Facebook group as well as my realtor for recommendations. It has worked out well except for one instance.

My realtor recommended an electrician for what appeared to be a simple job. I had a circuit breaker that kept tripping. I called the electrician to come take a look at the issue. I had an appointment at 9;00 am. He got here 10 minutes early and to my surprise by 9:05 am he was done. I was expecting him to advise me what the issue was, and the cost, before doing any work. Since the work was done so quickly I asked him how much it was going to cost. He said that the issue was common so they knew what to do before he got to the house. He said the part was about $80 so I was expecting maybe $150 to $200. Three weeks later I get a bill for $330 for 15 minutes of work I called the office and asked them to take a look at the bill because there must have been a mistake. Nope, they wouldn’t budge. I filed a BBB complaint mainly to complain that they did the work without giving me an estimate of the cost in advance nor obtaining my approval, which amounts to the company doing work in return for a blank check that they can fill in later for whatever amount they want. They responded but did not address doing the work without approval. The realtor no longer recommends this electrician.

 

[DrQ]

I have relied on my neighborhood Facebook group as well as my realtor for recommendations. It has worked out well except for one instance.

Another "blast from the past" (2021) that got revived. Looks like Leinkasx' original post was deleted.

Same thing happened to me on the "Career Advice" thread

 

[SmithOp]

I think it's a good thing that he replaced the water stop valves, but he should have got your approval first. Since you weren't charged for them in the end I'd say you got a good deal standing up for yourself, well done!

Trades people are always trying to up sell products and services, as consumers we need to be informed and ready to say no thank you - very much like a timeshare presentation

I just had 4 new tires installed and they tried twice to sell me on an alignment, the second was the installer that said the old tires had uneven wear. I told him, how could you tell, they were worn out with over 50k miles on them, all the tread was down to the wear bars. I had the brakes done about 4 months ago and the alignment was checked then because the brakes were pulling to the right. I knew the alignment was fine.

 

[RX8]

Another "blast from the past" (2021) that got revived. Looks like Leinkasx' original post was deleted.

Same thing happened to me on the "Career Advice" thread

I knew it was an old post and noticed it was revived by a new TUG poster but it didn’t send up red flags since it was an appropriate question in an appropriate thread. I guess they must have posted spam somewhere else on TUG and got booted. In retrospect, I should have questioned why the first thing a supposed timeshare owner would do joining a timeshare forum would be to search out an old thread about plumbers.