On Saturday May 15 I discovered the hot water heater to be inoperative at my house. Water was also running from the bottom of the heater. I was unable to stop the flow of water, as the stop valve on the input pipe to the heater was defective. I immediately called my Homeowner's Warranty carrier and asked for immediate attention, as, short of cutting off all water to the house, I could not stop the water running from the heater.
On Sunday May 16 in the afternoon, I was given the name of Val-Tex Plumbing. I called Licensed Master Plumber Gil J. Valencia (#M14872) and he agreed to come by the house and at least stop the water running. I was disappointed that he was not intending to repair or replace the heater but accepted his offer. When Mr. Valencia arrived at the house he inspected the water heater and launched into what I can only describe as a forceful sales pitch.
He looked at the heater and described to me what he needed to do to bring it up to code. He talked very fast and repeatedly made mention of how he was forced' to do this and that, even showing me his license and pointing to his large, expensive vehicle as some kind of proof of his worth. As a layman I questioned him to the best of my ability and asked for a written estimate with explanations of the work required - WHICH HE DECLINED TO PROVIDE ME.
To the best of my recollection he told me that the flexible inlet and outlet pipes were not to code.' He told me I needed stop valves on both the inlet and outlet pipes. He told me I must have dielectric protection between the pipes and the heater. I specifically questioned him on this requirement only to be told it was code.' He also told me my gas pipe was not to code' and should be replaced. Again, I no nothing of plumbing and, even though deeply suspicious, was forced to take the gentleman at his word.
He offered on Sunday merely to stop the water running by replacing the stop valve while cautioning me that he might also have to replace the floor it was standing on due to water damage. I was getting more and more concerned as I felt he was arbitrarily adding work onto whatever bill he would later present me and the Warranty Company. My warranty policy has a $55.00 deductible, which I paid with qualm to Mr. Valencia. AT NO TIME did I agree to any Cash On Delivery' contract, as I fully intended even then to take up with my Warranty Company what I suspected might be erroneous, unnecessary and at worst fraudulent charges.
You must understand that I know nothing of plumbing, was at the mercy of the contractor as my family had no hot water, had water running into my house, and was I leaving town on a business trip the next morning. I reluctantly agreed to have Mr. Valencia carry out the work. He told me that he would return the next day (Monday May 17) between 12.00 and 4.00 pm to complete the work. This he failed to do. Even though I was out of town I left three or four messages for Mr. Valencia, as did my wife.
Mr. Valencia finally arrived at the house late Tuesday afternoon and replaced the heater and associated parts. He then demanded payment from my wife. I am deeply distressed that he browbeat, badgered and bullied my wife into paying him on the spot even though NO SUCH AGREEMENT HAD BEEN MADE. My wife contacted me at the time and I had a conversation with Mr. Valencia during which he had the unmitigated audacity to threaten us with calling the police to collect.' You must appreciate that I was in a very difficult position; I was not there to discuss this with Mr. Valencia in person, or to protect my wife from his abuse. I was not there to invite Mr. Valencia to remove himself from my property, nor ask him to undo' his work and leave.
My family faced another day with no water and I reluctantly acquiesced when my wife suggested she simply pay the bill. I am disgusted by the attitude, actions and usurious performance of Mr. Valencia. I discussed this matter with him again on Wednesday May 19 when I offered to settle the account with him if he would proffer a detailed invoice to me, which I promised to settle within 30 days. This he refused to do, calling me later to threaten me with a workman's lien' if I stopped payment on my cheque to him. I don't even know what a workman's lien is.
I urgently complain in the strongest possible terms about Mr. Valencia's actions and attitude. He is a disgrace to his profession and not worthy of his license.
Derek
Fort Worth, Texas
U.S.A.
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