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Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
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Jun 6, 2008 Benjamin Franklin Plumbing complaint by RSPOPE |
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We had a plumbing leak in our front yard. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing stated when called that there would be a $49.00 service fee to send a plumber to our house. They made no mention, even when asked, of a following $159.00 refundable diagnosis fee once they arrived. They have you on the hook for the $49.00 at your home before they let you know of the $159.00 diagnosis fee. At this point, they informed us "the $159.00 fee was to dig a hole in our front yard to diagnose the problem, but if we used them to make the repairs, they would refund the $159.00." After considering that the fee would be refundable, it seemed reasonable. After the plumber, Brian, dug the hole and diagnosed the problem, he quoted us $670.00 total, including a fee of $399.00 to dig the hole which was already dug. He said that if it took more than 2 hours it would cost an extra $125.00/hr. At this point, we either had to pay the plumber $208.00 to leave and do nothing to fix our problem or 670.00 to have it repaired. The practice they use forces you to pay them outrageous fees or pay them to leave after doing nothing. This is atrocious and dishonorable. After having a $159.00 fee to dig a hole and diagnose refunded, it is dishonest to add a $399.00 fee to dig a hole which already exists. The manager stated when called that the fee is a flat rate and it was for my benefit "because if it took all day it would cost the same." I then asked how could he state that it would cost the same if it cost more for every hour after 2 hours time passed. At this point, he admitted to representing his fee schedule incorrectly because he said, "Well, it is a flat rate for 2 hours." I was appalled and disgusted by the practices of this company, and I was not satisfied, although they claim "100% satisfaction guaranteed." When, I let them know I wasn't satisfied and would report that, the manager stated, "That's fine."
Sincerely,
Randall S. Pope, Sr.
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1. Written by Never Again, on 12-08-2008 07:39
Our water heater broke, flooding our whole basement. Benjamin Franklin came out and told us we needed a new water heater without even examining it. They priced a new water heater at $2300. We called Sear,Home Depot and another plumber and they quoted us $600. I couldn't believe it. I feel they took advantage of our desperate situation. I called to complain and the supervisior was useless.
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2. Written by mrs. newman, on 18-07-2008 21:11
I live in south Minneapolis and had a leak in my water heater so I called Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to check it out. They told me it would cost $69 to sent a plumber out and look at the water heater and refused to tell me over the phone a ball park price to install a new heater. When Alan showed up he told me the water heater was cracked and could not be repaired and would cost $1,461 plus the $69 to replace it. WOW! I asked him to leave and paid the $69 fee. I called a much smaller company and they came out at no charge THAN SAID THEY COULD FIX THE HEATER FOR $199 because the tank was fine and only 4 years old. They installed a new t/p valve and everthing is working great. I would never call Ben Franklin ever again. Ever
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3. Written by Michael Z. Williamson, on 01-07-2008 12:17
While I was deployed to the Middle East, my wife called Ben Franklin about a water heater valve failure. After charging to show up, they quoted $1400 to replace a standard gas water heater that wholesales for about $200. It is located ground floor in a utility room with an outside door.
To repair our existing one (screw in a new thermostat and safety valve) they wanted $550. However, despite claiming to have a truck full of parts, the guy insisted he'd have to leave to get the parts, and that would cost us ANOTHER $50 fee.
I told her to pay the guy his $50 and send him away. Installs like that in our area run around $500-$800, and take about 2 hours. I've served as a military construction engineer for 23 years, and could do it myself if I were home.
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