In Sep of this year, I needed to have a kitchen sink drain rodded. Based on a referral, I contacted Bishop Plumbing to have the work performed.in two separate phone calls, I tried to get the service rep to give me some idea as to what they charged for that job, but was rebuffed both times, saying that they don’t do quotes over the phone. Two years ago, I had the same exact job done by Jespersen Plumbing Contractors at another site. They charged $106/hr for 2.5 hrs plus materials for a total of $310.00
When the Bishop service man arrived, on 9/21, he informed me that they don’t charge by the hour, but by the task, and each task is a separate charge. He said that the charge to rod the drain was $594.00. I thought that this was an incredibly high amount, but as I was leaving on an extended trip shortly, and had to get the drain cleared, I agreed to that fee.
The task consists of removing the P Trap, a small U-shaped pipe, rodding the drain pipes, and replacing the P-Trap. The service man broke the P-Trap when he removed it. After he completed the rodding, he informed me that replacing a new P-Trap pie was a separate task for which the charge is $330.00!!! At that point, what choice did I have? If I had said NO, he would have left me with an open drain. So again, I agreed. When he was done, I told him I wanted to pay half the $925.00 charge and discuss this whole thing with management. He called and agreed to that. Can you believe they charged me $925.00 to rod a kitchen drain???
My complaint is two-fold. One, the charges are INCREDIBLY EXCESSIVE as compared to what others would charge. Two, I have been charged for 2 tasks when only one was performed. The task of rodding requires removing the P-Trap, rodding the pipes, and replacing the P-Trap. Just because a different pipe was used, should not make it a separate task. I should be paying for one task, and it is dubious as to who should be paying for the pipe broken by the service man.
I have since spoken with a Customer service rep, the Operations Mgr, and the Vice President, none of whom have offered any significant relief to this issue. I have asked to speak to the owner but have been told that he is not available. The company line here is that everything they did was LEGAL, and I should have no complaints. They are VERY defensive about this and I can certainly understand why!
In doing follow up research, I have found that the BBB of Illinois has received 39 complaints for these EXACT practices, in the past 3 yrs alone.
Although they may run their business legally, their practices are deceptive, and their charges are WAY out of line of the hourly rates and fees charged by their competition. I honestly feel that the $450.00 I have already paid is more than sufficient for the work performed.
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