I am an owner of a plumbing business that has a contract with Sears, Roebuck, and co. To install plumbing merchandise (water heaters, dishwashers, & water softeners, etc.). Sears is a large chain department store we are all familiar with; however, there is a side that nobody is aware of.
This is not only a tale of rip-off but a tale of beware. Washington state law says one must be a licensed plumber to install water heaters, dishwashers, & water softeners; however, Sears does not observe this law regularly. There has been several customers whom have had a non-licensed contractor sent to their home to install plumbing merchandise in spite of the law.
Customers must ask to see proof of a licensed plumber when having plumbing installed in their home. A plumbing contractor is required to carry a particular type of insurance that covers plumbing work; however, one must be a licensed plumbing to get this type of insurance.
This means that if you go to Sears, buy a dishwasher and purchase the installation the contractor that puts your dishwasher may not have the insurance to protect your home if it leaks and destroys your entire kitchen. Who will your home insurance company go after, Sears? No, because as a contractor for Sears is required per contract to list sears on their policy. A multi-million dollar company is protected by a small business that is just trying to make it in life.
My company has lists of customers that have been wronged, either by product damage, delayed product arrivals, poor customer service, and damage to home by non-licensed plumbers.
On a personal note the individual Sears we work with in Kennewick, WA has associates, entry-level managers, & store managers who all are rude and inconsiderate. They treat there contractor as if they are employees not partners in one goal to serve the customers. They must have a scapegoat to unload responsibility for their mistakes, ultimately this disservices their customers.
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