I completely regret calling this guy (Dave). I had a clogged kitchen sink so I called him. He said this happens all the time and that he could fix it for $125. So I told him to come.
When he came he just walked in while still wearing his work boots and dirtied my flooring. He brought with him a handheld snake machine. Took the drain from under the sink off, spun the snake for 3-5 minutes, and the drain was still clogged. That didn't do anything. Since it was a dual-sink he told me to hold the other side plugged while he plunged the other one (I already tried this myself). That didn't do anything either. All he did was splash junk all over my kitchen.
He then asked me to show him where the drainage lead. I took him to the basement. He said the clog was probably deep somewhere because he apparently got into the main with his snake (I really don't think he did seeing as how tiny it was...). He told me my only option was to cut into the drywall and then cut the pipe so he could try snaking there. I told him no thank you and that I'd have to think about it. He told me that anyone else would tell me the same thing and insisted that I continue with his service.
Dave didn't do anything apart from waste my time, take my money (yes he still asked to be paid which I did just to get him to go). and on top of all that, he left everything a dirty mess.
Immediately after Dave left I called another company (A very large chain that operates nationwide). Yes, they were more expensive. But they came right away, their guy was extremely nice, he brought in a full blown snake machine (not a toy like Dave did). He wore covers at all times on his boots and was very clean and thorough. He spent about 20 minutes snaking and my kitchen sink drained like it was a brand new house. I was floored with the difference in service. And no, this company didn't have to cut into my walls or pipes.
Dave really pissed me off, but not because he was dirty and made a mess in my house, not because he took my money while not doing anything, but because he did all of this while insisting that I needed costly and unnecessary service.
My experience with him and his company was nothing but garbage.
EDIT TO RESPOND TO DAVE MAY'S REPLY:
What you have written is completely false. You did not ask anybody to take your boots off. You just walked right in.
Discount? You shouldn't have charged me anything. You didn't do your job, that's it. Telling me to rip apart my walls is not a "sound option".
Why was the other plumber able to do what you could not in half the time, and with half the effort? Huh, why don't you have a reponse for that?
Now I see why your company is called Royal Flush. The only thing I'm flushing with you is my money.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $125.00
- Company Response
i wore crocs to your house not work boots and i asked if i should take them off and your mother said no. The snake i used was electric not hand held. The plunging didnt work because your drain assemblies leaked. i gave your mother a huge discount she only paid me 50 not 120. i fed the snake in 20' and it didnt open, getting closer to the blockage is a sound option. had i continued snaking unsucessfully you would have been upset as well.