Washington, D.C., plumber takes payment before completing work
Published on November 1, 2009
COMPLAINT: Lenwood Brooks, Washington, D.C.
"I contacted Seidel Plumbing & Heating Co. for an estimate on numerous plumbing problems that needed to be corrected on a house that I recently purchased.
"Otto Seidel [the owner] gave me a quote of $4,500 but was willing to lower it to $4,000 if I paid cash. I paid and Mr. Seidel refused to produce a receipt, and he didn't complete the job in full.
"When I paid him, all of the plumbing work was completed except the back faucet. I told him I wanted to pay him once all of the work was completed. He pulled out the "trust card" on me and said 'Do you not trust me? I trusted you when you said you'd pay me cash.'
"The work still hasn't been completed. So much for trusting."
Desired Resolution: "I want him to install the back knob of the faucet and provide a receipt."
STATUS: Resolved
Editor's note: The member informed Angie's List that the matter has been resolved.
COMPLAINT: Pihuan Cormier, Bethesda, Md.
"I called Mr. Handyman of South Montgomery County to fix a leaky window. Their solution was to caulk the window.
"A minimum working time was involved, so they also repaired a crack in kitchen ceiling, repaired a portion of rotted wood in the garage door, replaced the toilet tank valve, repaired a crack in the living room wall corner and cleaned the siding on one side of the house.
"I called to tell them that the window was leaking again, and they came and recaulked the window. As the second caulking did not stop the leak, Mr. Handyman said he would refund the money, but the refund never came."
DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I would like them to send me the promised refund of $45."
RESPONSE: Dan Hastings, president, Mr. Handyman of South Montgomery County
"We apologize to the member. The refund was promised, but due to an oversight in the office, it was never sent. We did caulk the window as requested, but that did not stop the leak.
"Upon further investigation, it was determined that the repair was going to be more extensive and the member chose not to proceed."
STATUS: Resolved