01/09 | National
Here's a national round-up of Penalty Box cases. As your Angie's List chapter grows, local cases will be displayed.
All settled now?
COMPLAINT: Debbie Pipkins, Indianapolis
My house was on a septic tank, but the city wanted me to hook it up to the city sewer. Whitinger Plumbing dug a trench from the house out to the street so they could hook the house up to the [city sewer] pipe. Now the trench is sinking into the ground. The dirt isn’t settling, but more or less dropping.
DESIRED RESOLUTION: I want Whitinger to follow up within one month to see if the soil is settling as it should be.
RESPONSE: Kent Whitinger, vice president, Whitinger Plumbing Co.
Our contract is clear. After installing the sewer line, we backfill the trench and leave it in a mound formation, which allows it to settle. We’re not responsible for final grading, seed or straw. If the member read the contract, she’d know this. Instead, as we were finishing up the job, she asked when we were coming back to seed. We told her that we don’t do that, and she made us leave. I have done 60 homes in that area, and they all look the same.
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(This company has a total overall grade of “A” on the List.) |
Moving massacre
COMPLAINT: Sue Thomson, Stuart, Fl.
I hired Best Price Moving & Storage to move my belongings from Michigan to Florida. They couldn’t fit all of my items into their trucks and as a result, I had to try to sell or donate some of my belongings. During the relocation, I had to meet the movers to weigh the truck, and they insisted I pay them before they unloaded my things. They quickly rushed to unload my things and didn’t give me a moment to inspect. They put holes in the new boxes and broke almost everything. They were extremely unprofessional and untruthful about the weigh-in price. I asked for compensation for the overcharged weigh-in price and after paying in cash, I, of course, wanted cash back. The driver wouldn’t reimburse me, saying it was between me and the company. I called a representative and received the weigh-in overcharges back.
DESIRED RESOLUTION: I want compensation for the mishandled damages of my belongings.
RESPONSE: Hugh Glass, customer service, Best Price Moving & Storage
We regret some misunderstandings that may have occurred. We apologize if our employees were rude. The member signed a contract that based the moving/shipping charge on weight. The member is invited to view the weighing but can decline. The foreman/driver cannot give a reimbursement — this must come from the company to avoid any complications. The member did get a reimbursement. As far as getting paid before unloading, this is typical of all deliveries. We are sorry for any inconvenience the member endured, but we don’t appreciate their immature and puerile language.
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(This company has a total overall grade of “F” on the List.) |
Price check
COMPLAINT: Bill Toth, Columbus, Ohio
I hired Ductman for a whole-house duct cleaning. Two technicians gave me the estimate, which was extremely high because they felt my house had four main lines. I balked at the price — their ad offered a whole-house cleaning for $79.95. I told them I wanted what was advertised. When they performed the work, they left out a ceiling register and charged me for it. They also left one register unattached until I pointed it out to them, and they left their equipment in one of my back bedrooms. They did a poor job on the areas I could see, but I don’t know how clean my ducts are, because I can’t see those areas. I called the next day to let them know I wasn’t happy with their service and I felt they overcharged me. They told me the owner wasn’t available but would call me later. I never heard from him.
DESIRED RESOLUTION: I’d like to pay the fair price of $79.95 that they advertised. The ad specifically said additional vents were $10 each but said nothing about main lines, which I feel is very deceptive. I’d also like to know if they did all the work they were supposed to.
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(This company has a total overall grade of “B” on the List.) |
Uncandid camera
COMPLAINT: Amie Luna, Hyde Park, Ma.
I hired Hodgkins Photography to take pictures at my wedding. They haven’t returned e-mails or phone calls. I’ve contacted them several times to get my pictures. They’ve given me the runaround. It’s now been over a year.
DESIRED RESOLUTION: I’d like to receive my wedding album, bonus wedding prints and the wedding CD. If they’re unable to follow through, I’d like a $1,950 refund.
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(This company has a total overall grade of “F” on the List.) |