Plumbers from hel!

Nelski

Feeling a bit stupid now but looking back on it I dont see I could have done that much different in the circumstances.
I walked into my bathroom this morning to find a very soggy carpet (luvvly!) Further investigation led me to a leaking pipe going into the loo - tightening up didnt work so after realising this was seeping downstairs and was actually quite serious I rang a "big" ad in the yellow pages. somehow I always feel it will be safer (being single, female and no plumbing experts in my circle of friends and family)
This company (and I will post their name if its allowed - can someone let me know if I am allowed cos I would hate anyone else to get the same service)
promised to turn up in less than hour (published in yellow pages)
Then I get a phone call after an hour to say it will be another 2 hours (thatll be 3 hours then)
Massive in a "nut shell" now they come tell me they havent got the part (a simple connector) then disappear for an hour, return, fit the part (in 10 mins or less) and then charge me £149.75!!!!!!! and guess what they charge labour by the hour so I am on 2 hours!

I feel soo stupid cos I could have got a new loo for that. I did write under protest on the cheque but I doubt I will get anywhere. I hope I can post the name and then none of you will suffer the same.;

IvanOpinion

I don't see why you should not post the name after all we have seen Abbey, Halifax, RBOS, Littlewoods, BT, Nationwide, Dabs etc. all mentione on this board.

The going away to get a part is common SCAM used by plumbers to stretch a job out for another hour or so. It is always worthwhile keeping an ear out for reliable plumbers, electricians etc. through recommendation. You may not need them there and then but if you can get their card or a contact number and keep it to one side it can be useful for those little emergencies.

Ivan

Al_Mac

I find people you get out for emergencies always charge silly amounts. Tend to ring a few people we know first who do or might know someone who does do.

Plumbing/drain people tend to be the worst.

The drain man gave me a quote for £1500 to sort out the problem permanently, building friend said he could do it for £500 tops, when the problem happens again. Six years later no problem. Drain man tried to scare me, me thinks.

Sorry Nels:mad:

Nelski

IvanOpinion wrote:

I don't see why you should not post the name after all we have seen Abbey, Halifax, RBOS, Littlewoods, BT, Nationwide, Dabs etc. all mentione on this board.

Ivan

Good point Ivan!

Should anybody need a plumber with integrity in the near future I would strongly suggest you avoid ASSIST MAINTENANCE SERVICES OF COUNTY DURHAM!
Just my opinion of course

mr_accountant

Nelski wrote:

Good point Ivan!

Should anybody need a plumber with integrity in the near future I would strongly suggest you avoid ASSIST MAINTENANCE SERVICES OF COUNTY DURHAM!
Just my opinion of course

I am sorry to hear your story, this 'plumber' should be disgusted with themselves but i doubt they’ll care. Have you rang trading standards to tell them of your story, i believe they have some sort of database for good and bad companies, maybe they will put this one in the 'don’t touch with a bargepole' database for future enquiries

isayoldchap

IvanOpinion wrote:

I don't see why you should not post the name after all we have seen Abbey, Halifax, RBOS, Littlewoods, BT, Nationwide, Dabs etc. all mentione on this board.

The going away to get a part is common SCAM used by plumbers to stretch a job out for another hour or so. It is always worthwhile keeping an ear out for reliable plumbers, electricians etc. through recommendation. You may not need them there and then but if you can get their card or a contact number and keep it to one side it can be useful for those little emergencies.

Ivan

Don't wait for an leak etc.Have some numbers handy.Usually the neighbours can be useful here.I would be just a little concerned for gas engineers who say they are corgi registered.If you are using them through recommendation check out there corgi number for validaty with Corgi.They may have been removed from the register.Personally I pay about £100 pa and deal with Homeserve who cover the Electric and Water problems.The Gas is covered with Bg.Try to get unlimited call out as Homeserve were restricting my cover in May on the Water to just two call outs.I have had this changed now.(see earlier post by me).Since we live in West Sussex,I got the insurances to deal with some rogue trader elements around here. :eek:

isayoldchap

mr_accountant wrote:

I am sorry to hear your story, this 'plumber' should be disgusted with themselves but i doubt they’ll care. Have you rang trading standards to tell them of your story, i believe they have some sort of database for good and bad companies, maybe they will put this one in the 'don’t touch with a bargepole' database for future enquiries

Hi
Apologises if I start to wander from the actual original thread....board guide..
feel free to string me up if I have wandered but it maybe of some assistance to some.
My mother moved into another house in Jan2001 in Surrey.The vendor left a
flashy four sided leaflet with loads of different tradesmen on it.The leaflet said it was approved by Kingston Trading Standards.I forgot the name of the leaflet.I called a company to change a stockcock in there 1930's house.I described the stopcock and that it was easily got at.I was given a firm price on the phone and that it shouldn't be more than that.When the plumber arrived he said he will need to go and get a stopcock.I then advised him that I want a written quote for the work before he get's this stopcock.The company I originally phoned were contacted and the actual price in writing from the plumber turned out to be nearly twice the firm phone price.I advised both parties that the leaflet where I got their number from said it was approved by trading standards.I said to the plumber to leave as I was not going to pay until I spoke to trading standards.Guess what...Trading Standards said they had never seen or heard of this leaflet.They were taken this for viewing and have advised the ''boys club'' who had it printed, to not circulate further copies and change the wording about the Trading Standards.
Surrey has a good reputation on appearing on Tv to name and shame these cowboys who give a bad name to the good lot of good tradesmen out there.
I'm won't be putting the companies name down as we don't have the leaflet.
I am only commenting on the company I called and assume that some companies on the leaflet do a good job.Oh and we were never asked to pay.
ps(the vendor left a load of rubbish,mattresses etc in the loft.Even the house
sale states he is responsible.He tried to do a runner.We got his details from locate.com and his house phone number.He and wife were well shocked when the estimate for the work including the skip was £450(house need proper dust proofing)This included the £58.75 to get their details. :j :beer:

mrcow

Hi Nelski,

You have my sympathies, been there...done that with rip off plumbers and gas men etc.

It maybe not be that 'money saving', but it stressed me out so much that I've now got British Gas Three Star cover for my CH and have Plumbing and Drains cover with them and also Electrial cover. All in for £19.50 per month. Maybe it's not completely the cheapest way to go, but at least I never have to worry about being ripped off by a plumber again (and that in itself is worth it).

The plumbing and drains part was only about £3 or so per month if I remember rightly, and the cover is with Dynarod (sorry spelling?). I've had to call them out 3 times in as many years, so it's been well worth it.

mrcow

isayoldchap

mrcow wrote:

Hi Nelski,

You have my sympathies, been there...done that with rip off plumbers and gas men etc.

It maybe not be that 'money saving', but it stressed me out so much that I've now got British Gas Three Star cover for my CH and have Plumbing and Drains cover with them and also Electrial cover. All in for £19.50 per month. Maybe it's not completely the cheapest way to go, but at least I never have to worry about being ripped off by a plumber again (and that in itself is worth it).

The plumbing and drains part was only about £3 or so per month if I remember rightly, and the cover is with Dynarod (sorry spelling?). I've had to call them out 3 times in as many years, so it's been well worth it.

mrcow

Only £36 for plumbing and drains.I pay £14+ pm for the BG 3 star, so I would think you pay around a fiver for the other.

mrcow

Hi isayoldchap,

I've fished out my bill for you...;)

Three Star Central Heating £148.00 (including £18 low call out discount)
Plumbing and Drains Care £60.00
Home Electrical Care £39.00

Total £247.00

Monthly DD £20.58 per month

So yes, you're right it's £5 per month.