I hired Jeffries Electric to repair some landscape lighting that was installed in my yard at my home. The repairs were performed, at (8 hours @ $155 per hour; 1.5 hours at $85 per hour; and 1.5 hours at $205 per hour) plus parts ($1,330) to the tune of $2,900. Which I agreed to and paid. During the three occasions that the representatives visited my home to do the repairs, we discussed my lighting and desires and I was quoted a price of $250 per light.
I had agreed for them to make the repairs and discussed their installing four additional lights (at $250 per light). Following this discussion I contacted Jeffries office and ordered the transformer necessary to add the additional four lights I wanted installed. I was told it would take a week to get in the part. At the time the order was placed there was no discussion of a change in price for the lighting. From the date we initially discussed the additional lighting through and including the ordering of the transformer, there was never a discussion about an increase in pricing for the lights I wanted.
In fact, during all these discussions, this purchase included a lifetime warranty on any issues with the lighting. We awaited a transformer to come in so that it could be installed as a part of the repair.
After placing this order and prior to delivery, the owner then came to my house and was immediately abrasive and rude with me, referring to my existing lighting as having a pig and he is putting lipstick on it. It was not until he came to my home that I realized that years ago I had spoken with him regarding lighting, but went with someone else. The representatives returned to my home, and when we discussed their installing the additional lights, for some reason the price per light was increased to $425 per light, plus an additional charge of $7.00 per foot for the wire. When the representative told me this, I was shocked that the price had increased and by such a great amount. I asked if there was the possibility of perhaps a 10% or 15% discount. He called Mr. Jeffries, the owner of the company, and then the price went up to $500 per light.
Although I attempted to reach Mr. Jeffries the next day, I was told he was gone for the weekend and would not return until Tuesday. However, he called me back sometime later, and was even more rude and belligerent with me on the phone, and told me again, I had a pig and he was putting $2,900 lipstick on it, that he had enough business and did not need mine and to lose his number and never call him again. He said he'd do the job for his cost and he'd put them in so long as I never called him again, and that there would be no warranty (lifetime or otherwise) on this purchase.
I paid this company their asking price for all the repairs performed. I never questioned their charges, and they were paid promptly. However, as a business owner myself, I know that when someone is quoted a price for something whether it be a product or for services, a GOOD businessman honors the word of his representative. They do not raise the price out of spite, and then insult the customer who just paid you almost $3,000.
I believe that Mr. Jeffries attempts at bait and switch should be investigated so that other customers are not compromised, and that everyone looking for an electric company in Denton, beware Jeffries (Bait and Switch) Electric.
0 comments