Apologies, this is a rant, but hopefully with an intelligent point of reflection.
I live in London and recently the two toilets in my house started leaking.
I called a well know company called Pimlico Plumbers who informed me the plastic cisterns needed changing (each one costs £30-£40). When they finished the job, I was completely amazed to receive a bill for £800 ($1600). Lets be clear, they didn't change the toilet bowl, fit a new bathroom, put a boiler in, whatever. They just changed two plastic cisterns.
OK, so I've been royally ripped-off, taken to the cleaners, conned, call it what you will.
My hopefully intelligent point of reflection is how it makes me feel. I haven't been physically harmed, no one burgled my home, and yet I feel so frustrated and abused - which I know is completely irrational. Its not even the money, although that hurts.
Does anyone else feel like this in similar circumstances, or feel they're responding irrationally but can't snap out of it?
garye
12 Comments
It's infuriating that these companies take advantage of people who either don't know how to fix things around the house or don't have the time to get their hands dirty. I think they especially go after women, because they assume we will just say yes, and we're socialized to not know very much about mechanical equipment. The best way to deal with the problem is to speak to friends, family, neighbors, anyone you know who might recommend an honest plumber before emergencies strike. In the long run it saves the run around and tearing your hair out when the big companies try and screw you over.
Georgie, for my boiler I have a British Gas maintenance contract, the engineers are on salary so have no reason to overcharge (my last one wrote on 2 hours instead of 2.5, to save me money), the only problem with them is if it turns out you need a new boiler (or gas fire, or whatever) the ones they sell are expensive.
I may have spent more this way -- but probably not -- but I do know I won't get ripped off by cowboys or have to pay upfront or maybe even get threatened.
I do agree they usually target women.
That being said, British Gas is probably easiest. ;)
I had very good plumbers when I was in London -- I forgot that when I posted before -- I''ll see if they're still around. (Large company; guaranteed hourly rates; no demands for money upfront.)
It really is time to stamp on these blood-sucking low-lifes.
http://www.howtocomplain.com/
Do you have a signed estimate for this amount? They might take you to court, but what evidence is there to prove you owe this amount?
Dude, you don't even need legal representation. I will represent you...
*L*
*cricket noises*
See what i did there , see that!? .
Sorry.
Sorry
Hey you know AdGuy always gets the last word! ;)