Wow-We just got shaken down by a local contractor!

[Pa & Giggi]

I can't believe what has happened to us! Yesterday a certain well known electrical contractor was scheduled to come out to our home from 9:00 to 12:00 to replace the Eaton breakers that have been tripping for years now. At 10:00 my husband noticed their truck parked out front and when he went to the front door to open it the guy left. At noon time our phone rang, and it was our friendly contractor not wanting to come out to our home. He was saying that there were no ham radios in our area (There is one on Ashville Ave) and saying that if he came out here there would be an $85.00 fee if he didn't find a problem. My husband was on the phone for about 3 mins convincing him to come out to the house. He then agreed to be out in about 5 mins.

My husband walked straight out to the garage and he pulled right up. My husband showed him the breaker box and the breakers that kept on tripping. He removed the cover off the box, looked at it, and said "these are good breakers, there are no problems with these breakers" "We can work this out one of two ways- you can buy me lunch or I will have to charge you a service fee of $85.00". My husband said "What?" "I am just trying to help you out and save you a little money, the service fee would be $85.00"

My husband was furious and then said to him "What, are you trying to shake me down? I have been in law enforcement and I know a shake down when I see one." " Put the box back on and get out of here". The guy by the name of Tracie (sp)? then left. My husb then called his employer and spoke to someone who said that his supervisor was not available but would pass the message along and someone would call us back. No one called us back.

This morning my husband call his employer to complain and actually got a hold of his supervisor and voiced his concerns about how comfortable this guy was about carry out this shakedown. He had surely done this before and my husb was told that this was a long time employee and that he had misunderstood. What????? How do you misunderstand that when he asks you for lunch $$ twice??? He also asked the supervisor had he paid the money how would the breakers be written up on the forged paperwork?

I think this kid has been doing this for a while and has a means to make a few bucks here and there under the table (tax free from the IRS) and his employer wants to sweep it under the table. I called the Villages warranty and notified them and they were very concerned. I plan on calling the online paper next. I am fuming! My husband didn't fall for his tactic because he knew better and it is a form of a scam. (breakers are covered under warranty-not covered under lunch money).

If this has happened to anyone please come forward and notify the Villages warranty. This is not right. If you PM me I will give you the business name.

Who knew a trusted business would scam a homeowner. This employee should be fired.

[graciegirl]

I can't believe what has happened to us! Yesterday a certain well known electrical contractor was scheduled to come out to our home from 9:00 to 12:00 to replace the Eaton breakers that have been tripping for years now. At 10:00 my husband noticed their truck parked out front and when he went to the front door to open it the guy left. At noon time our phone rang, and it was our friendly contractor not wanting to come out to our home. He was saying that there were no ham radios in our area (There is one on Ashville Ave) and saying that if he came out here there would be an $85.00 fee if he didn't find a problem. My husband was on the phone for about 3 mins convincing him to come out to the house. He then agreed to be out in about 5 mins.

My husband walked straight out to the garage and he pulled right up. My husband showed him the breaker box and the breakers that kept on tripping. He removed the cover off the box, looked at it, and said "these are good breakers, there are no problems with these breakers" "We can work this out one of two ways- you can buy me lunch or I will have to charge you a service fee of $85.00". My husband said "What?" "I am just trying to help you out and save you a little money, the service fee would be $85.00"

My husband was furious and then said to him "What, are you trying to shake me down? I have been in law enforcement and I know a shake down when I see one." " Put the box back on and get out of here". The guy by the name of Tracie (sp)? then left. My husb then called his employer and spoke to someone who said that his supervisor was not available but would pass the message along and someone would call us back. No one called us back.

This morning my husband call his employer to complain and actually got a hold of his supervisor and voiced his concerns about how comfortable this guy was about carry out this shakedown. He had surely down this before and my husb was told that this was a long time employee and that he had misunderstood. What????? How do you misunderstand that when he asks you for lunch $$ twice??? He also asked the supervisor had he paid the money how would the breakers be written up on the forged paperwork?

I think this kid has been doing this for a while and has a means to make a few bucks here and there under the table (tax free from the IRS) and his employer wants to sweep it under the table. I called the Villages warranty and notified them and they were very concerned. I plan on calling the online paper next. I am fuming! My husband didn't fall for his tactic because he knew better and it is a form of a scam. (breakers are covered under warranty-not covered under lunch money).

If this has happened to anyone please come forward and notify the Villages warranty. This is not right. If you PM me I will give you the business name.

Who knew a trusted business would scam a homeowner. This employee should be fired.




I have read this three times and it sounds like this young man really did believe that nothing was wrong with your breakers. Is that possible? It also sounds like he may have been called out on similar calls and was trying to save you the service call when he spoke to you on the phone.


But of course I have been wrong before. Why don't you call several of the other well known electrical companies and ask them if Eaton Breakers are causing problems. Or if they are being called out on service calls where the breakers are o.k. There are new regulations I have heard, new standards and these breakers may be considered fine even if they are "touchy".

[jimbo2012]

The most important thing to here is protect that contractor,

why post without exposing the dirtbag?

As a villages contractor he should be reported to TV, they will read him the riot act.

ps: there is no testing or charge to change the breakers out

[graciegirl]

The most important thing to here is protect that contractor,

why post without exposing the dirtbag?

As a villages contractor he should be reported to TV, they will read him the riot act.

ps: there is no testing or charge to change the breakers out



What am I missing? Don't breakers cost something to replace? Isn't there always a service charge?

[Barefoot]

What am I missing? Don't breakers cost something to replace? Isn't there always a service charge?

My husband didn't fall for his tactic because he knew better and it is a form of a scam. (breakers are covered under warranty-not covered under lunch money).
I think (not sure) that the OP's point is that breakers and the service charge should be covered by Home Warranty.

[golfing eagles]

What am I missing? Don't breakers cost something to replace? Isn't there always a service charge?

This is a huge problem mostly south of 466A. Apparently these breakers are either a defective lot, or engineered in such a way as to be sensitive to ham radio signals. I don't know the deal, but the manufacturer, the electrical contractors and home warranty have arranged to have them replaced free of charge. I'm not down there yet, but my homewatch person called yesterday and 9 of my breakers had tripped for the 3rd week in a row.

[Pa & Giggi]

Hi Gracie!
There has been a ham radio operator on our street for a long time now which must be the interference with our breakers. That has been the cause of the breaker issues in the villages that has been ongoing. The Eaton breakers have been an issue and are being replaced by the Villages. My ticket was placed by the Villages warranty dept.
Also, he stated that the breakers were fine UNLESS we paid for his lunch. Then he would replace them.
When you think about it, it is wrong on all levels. He is bilking his employer out of stock and hourly wages, to gain cash under the table. For his employer this is unacceptable, but I think so many employees just don't see this as doing anything wrong. They see it as just making a few extra bucks.

[graciegirl]

I think (not sure) that the OP's point is that breakers and the service charge should be covered by Home Warranty.




OH. It was a newer home under warranty.


I had looked this up.
New Circuit Breaker for Planes and Homes Is the Sensitive Type - NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/02/technology/new-circuit-breaker-for-planes-and-homes-is-the-sensitive-type.html)

[jimbo2012]

What am I missing? Don't breakers cost something to replace? Isn't there always a service charge?

Breakers are defective and basically being recalled or in this case replaced by Eaton the manufacturer.

First it was rumored to be ham operators, but that wasn't proven.

Eaton sent folks here to study the issue and is paying $40 per breaker to the contractor.

There is no service charge at all has nothing to do with the standard one year warranty.

[RickeyD]

There is a "Tracey" that works for Pikes Electric. He does their warranty work in The Villages.

[jimbo2012]

There is a "Tracey" that works for Pikes Electric. He does there warranty work in The Villages.

Rick that's only if Pikes did the original install.

It could be several others, just look at your breaker panel that will have the installers sticker on it, call them

[golfing eagles]

There is a "Tracey" that works for Pikes Electric. He does their warranty work in The Villages.

Heck, if he fixes my breakers I'll give him lunch. But my dogs might go hungry that day:1rotfl:

[jimbo2012]

OH. It was a newer home under warranty.


No it can be several years old, I know of one being done in St James about 3 years old.

No charge

[RickeyD]

Heck, if he fixes my breakers I'll give him lunch. But my dogs might go hungry that day:1rotfl:


[emoji106]

[missypie]

This Tracie guy from Pikes is the nicest guy. He changed my breakers without batting an eye. He was our electrical guy that fixed everything before warranty was up. Always a smile. He's changed hundreds of these things he said. Maybe the lunch comment was part of his dry humor. He probably sees breakers in his sleep. oh well, I hope this ends peacefully.

[Arctic Fox]

Who knew a trusted business would scam a homeowner.

Business is so brisk in The Villages that trusted companies often employ subcontractors to keep up with the workload. So while you may have had a particular company recommended to you, that does not mean that the person actually doing the work will be as good as you are expecting. You did the right thing in sending him packing, and reporting his actions.

As always, just because we are relaxing in our retirement, that does not mean we can let our guard down and trust everyone to "do the right thing".

[Lovey2]

Ya know...sometimes the OP actually knows what they're talking about and is just trying to inform us...and, not everything requires a humorous response. These people are upset and trying to give us a heads-up. No harm in just being understanding or moving on to the next post. (Like I probably should have :( )

[Medtrans]

I remember someone posting something about an $85.00 fee and I thoughT at the time that was weird because we went thru Home Warranty and there was no charge, even though we are out of warranty. So has this person tried this on others?

[Polar Bear]

...not everything requires a humorous response...

So true. But there are those that soooo disagree with you, Lovey.

[Pa & Giggi]

My point which might have been lost in translation is: if someone tells you that they will only do work for you at a no charge from the business that they represent IF you give them money under the table, red flags should be going up all over the place. It was repeated twice so that there were no misunderstandings.

I only wanted to warn other members in case this happened to them, or if this already has happened to them that they should call the Villages Warranty Dept.

[golfing eagles]

My point which might have been lost in translation is: if someone tells you that they will only do work for you at a no charge from the business that they represent IF you give them money under the table, red flags should be going up all over the place. It was repeated twice so that there were no misunderstandings.

I only wanted to warn other members in case this happened to them, or if this already has happened to them that they should call the Villages Warranty Dept.

And you are 100% correct, you handled it well, and thank you for warning the rest of us.
Now for the $64,000 question:
Were you sooo upset, sooo distraught, sooo devastated by this incident that you would take tremendous offense if a few people made a joke about the repairman trying to scam lunch??????

[asianthree]

Pikes replaced 7 of ours due to recall. No charge

[Roaddog53]

This Tracie guy from Pikes is the nicest guy. He changed my breakers without batting an eye. He was our electrical guy that fixed everything before warranty was up. Always a smile. He's changed hundreds of these things he said. Maybe the lunch comment was part of his dry humor. He probably sees breakers in his sleep. oh well, I hope this ends peacefully.


I also have had Tracie do work at our house. He is a very nice guy, does his work very well, and is actually BETTER than many of the other electricians we dealt with that really did try to scam with their outrageous pricing. And ..No it wasn't under the table deals. He did warranty and none warranty. we were very happy with his work and would use him again without question. He has also did work for neighbors and friends with no issues. He does have a dry humor though and perhaps since you saw him there and he left, that it didn't set well to begin with on the right foot? Odd how I have heard from contractors how they are berated and demand something be fixed or else. Just saying.. Maybe more than one side to the story? Unfortunately he is not here to defend himself

[Lovey2]

So true. But there are those that soooo disagree with you, Lovey.

I know, and it's a shame. Because some of the posters lately are sooo damn (can I say that here?) funny, I love to read their responses. But not every OP wants to be responded to that way, especially when they are hurt or disillusioned. Humor is a BIG part of me, but I try hard to rein it in when it's inappropriate. Thanks for understanding. I wasn't trying to be mean, or condescending.

[Pa & Giggi]

And you are 100% correct, you handled it well, and thank you for warning the rest of us.
Now for the $64,000 question:
Were you sooo upset, sooo distraught, sooo devastated by this incident that you would take tremendous offense if a few people made a joke about the repairman trying to scam lunch??????

What made you think I took tremendous offense to a few jokes? I have been with this message board now for over 4 years so if there is one thing I have noticed is that so many posters have a great sense of humor. Sometimes that is needed when one is so upset to break the ice so to speak. If I offended anyone, I never meant to.

[Bogie Shooter]

Seems like it's always one poster defending the :1rotfl::1rotfl:

[dbussone]

What made you think I took tremendous offense to a few jokes? I have been with this message board now for over 4 years so if there is one thing I have noticed is that so many posters have a great sense of humor. Sometimes that is needed when one is so upset to break the ice so to speak. If I offended anyone, I never meant to.


After this post I had to go back and re-read your others. I didn't find anything offensive at all.

Tracie has done some work for us. I was very pleased. Also, I am currently taking a course to become a ham operator (all true).

I think Tracie picked a bad situation in which to joke. Why not give The Warrantee Dept a call and see if they would send Pikes back out. I hope your situation is resolved soon.

And I've used a nom de plume so none of my neighbors know what I'm doing.

[golfing eagles]

What made you think I took tremendous offense to a few jokes? I have been with this message board now for over 4 years so if there is one thing I have noticed is that so many posters have a great sense of humor. Sometimes that is needed when one is so upset to break the ice so to speak. If I offended anyone, I never meant to.

Oh, no--you got my question all wrong. You certainly did not offend anyone. I didn't think you, or most people would take any offense at a joke, especially when the repairman "feeds" me a great line like scamming lunch. I posed the question, almost rhetorically, to address two of the posters that are above on this thread, who on other threads have expressed a dislike for jokes and humor. One of them wants to "ration" jokes, and then only as long as they fit his definition of humor. I have no idea why the other one jumped on his wagon.
And that's fine, I harbor no ill will to them, and will defend their 1st amendment rights to express their opinion (no matter how wrong it is:1rotfl:). Sorry it wasn't clear--I can see how it might have been confusing if you hadn't seen the other threads. This has become kind of a running "joke" between the two of us, if he'll excuse the term

[Sable99]

What am I missing? Don't breakers cost something to replace? Isn't there always a service charge?

Warranty has determined that the Eaton Breakers are going off because of ham radio operators and they are replacing them. I built my home in 2012 and they will be replacing mine.

[twoplanekid]

For more information on Eaton breakers tripping -> ARRL Helps Manufacturer to Resolve Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter RFI Problems (http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-helps-manufacturer-to-resolve-arc-fault-circuit-interrupter-rfi-problems)

[missypie]

My point which might have been lost in translation is: if someone tells you that they will only do work for you at a no charge from the business that they represent IF you give them money under the table, red flags should be going up all over the place. It was repeated twice so that there were no misunderstandings.

I only wanted to warn other members in case this happened to them, or if this already has happened to them that they should call the Villages Warranty Dept.

Was Pike's your original electrical people during warranty?

[dbussone]

Warranty has determined that the Eaton Breakers are going off because of ham radio operators and they are replacing them. I built my home in 2012 and they will be replacing mine.

I have to disagree somewhat. Eaton has apparently produced a series of breakers that fail to meet standards for resistance to FCC regulations. Breakers must meet certain standards.

Many household items create radio frequencies that are required to resist them. As long as a ham station meets FCC requirements those household items (including breakers) that do not comply are at fault, not the ham station.

[CFrance]

What made you think I took tremendous offense to a few jokes? I have been with this message board now for over 4 years so if there is one thing I have noticed is that so many posters have a great sense of humor. Sometimes that is needed when one is so upset to break the ice so to speak. If I offended anyone, I never meant to.
No way did you offend anyone. And thanks for the heads up. Since so many of us use Pikes, it would be comforting to know if the Tracy who showed up at your house was not with Pikes.

[Pa & Giggi]

Was Pike's your original electrical people during warranty?

Yes, however late yesterday afternoon we did receive a phone call from the big guy at Pike's. He wanted to apologize for the incident with his employee and make things right. His employee had stated to him that he did indeed offer to do the job for the price of a lunch, so give him that much for honesty. They will be sending someone out to replace the Eaton breakers which is all we wanted in the first place.

Just remember there is no such thing as a free lunch as it could always come back and bite you in the ass. You never know and it's not worth it. Always stay honest.

[graciegirl]

Yes, however late yesterday afternoon we did receive a phone call from the big guy at Pike's. He wanted to apologize for the incident with his employee and make things right. His employee had stated to him that he did indeed offer to do the job for the price of a lunch, so give him that much for honesty. They will be sending someone out to replace the Eaton breakers which is all we wanted in the first place.

Just remember there is no such thing as a free lunch as it could always come back and bite you in the ass. You never know and it's not worth it. Always stay honest.



Thank you for letting us know that it was all settled.


I have learned a lot about breakers.


Kindest wishes,
Gracie.

[GaryW]

I have read this three times and it sounds like this young man really did believe that nothing was wrong with your breakers. Is that possible? It also sounds like he may have been called out on similar calls and was trying to save you the service call when he spoke to you on the phone.


But of course I have been wrong before. Why don't you call several of the other well known electrical companies and ask them if Eaton Breakers are causing problems. Or if they are being called out on service calls where the breakers are o.k. There are new regulations I have heard, new standards and these breakers may be considered fine even if they are "touchy".

Not with you on this one GG

You never ever and I repeat NEVER offer, buy me lunch or pay the fine..
Got to be Cra**ing me.
Back in the old day,, he might have gotten a black eye and a boot in the ACE

I got breakers that trip out all the time also,, one in particular, and I have been told the same thing, nothing wrong with the breakers,, Then why does it trip out all the time and you have to fight it to get it reset.

I had a friend of mine that is very electrically smart... I bought the materials and he changed it out.. Have not had a problem since...

To accept the offer of buy me lunch and I will not charge the 85.00 fee is absurd. How do you run a company allowing your employees to do that. How do you pay your employee for a service call when he gets the customer to just buy his lunch and not charge them. :shocked::eek:


No way this should happen. :spoken:

[jchase]

I agree With Gary!

[outlaw]

Yes, however late yesterday afternoon we did receive a phone call from the big guy at Pike's. He wanted to apologize for the incident with his employee and make things right. His employee had stated to him that he did indeed offer to do the job for the price of a lunch, so give him that much for honesty. They will be sending someone out to replace the Eaton breakers which is all we wanted in the first place.

Just remember there is no such thing as a free lunch as it could always come back and bite you in the ass. You never know and it's not worth it. Always stay honest.

God help you (or them) if they send Tracy back out! Did the owner indicate what he was going to do about scammer Tracy?

[Villageswimmer]

I must really live under a rock. I've never heard anything like this "buy me lunch..." story. I wouldn't have even known how to respond. I still don't really get it.

[RickeyD]

I must really live under a rock. I've never heard anything like this "buy me lunch..." story. I wouldn't have even known how to respond. I still don't really get it.


It falls under the category of " it's worth a shot ". Guy probably has a wife and two kids making 20 bucks an hour. Florida is a anti-union state. It's tough for any employed tradesman to make a decent living. Not saying that's an excuse for his behavior, just maybe a possible cause. Or, he was just busting the guys shoes, only he knows his intent. Obviously it backfired. Sh-t happens.

[rubicon]

This is at least the second time there has been a rash of problems with defective breakers that needed to be worked through warranty since I moved here in 2006.

Pikes did all of our electrical work. We never had problems with our breakers and the employees who showed up were all good people

As to the local repair guy. I kind of wish the guy's name was not bandied around on TOTV nor the employer for that matter. It was enough for the OP to have made contact with the employer. I feel badly for the guy's family especially since some people on TOTV could well be his neighbors

[tomwed]

It's not just any breaker. It's a certain type, brand and my hunch is manufacturing window before they discovered the problem.
v=JsILD0Fce1s

[yabbadu]

I too had problems with circuits tripping. Called Pikes and set up appt.. They replaced my bad Eatons with new Eatons. NO CHARGE.

Hats off to Pikes and Eatons!

[jflynn1]

Who was the contractor?

[Barefoot]

Pikes did all of our electrical work. We never had problems with our breakers and the employees who showed up were all good people
As to the local repair guy. I kind of wish the guy's name was not bandied around on TOTV nor the employer for that matter. It was enough for the OP to have made contact with the employer. I feel badly for the guy's family especially since some people on TOTV could well be his neighbors
I agree with Rubicon. I see this thread is now featured in the TOTV Express email that goes to all members.

[golfing eagles]

No joke this post. Tracy just left here after replacing 9 breakers. He was one of the most pleasant, personable, professional repairmen I have ever met. I find it hard to believe this was the same person referred to by the OP. Maybe 2 electricians with the same name at different companies? I just wanted to give my opinion about this Tracy. lest his reputation be tarnished by mistaken identity

[cmj1210]

No joke this post. Tracy just left here after replacing 9 breakers. He was one of the most pleasant, personable, professional repairmen I have ever met. I find it hard to believe this was the same person referred to by the OP. Maybe 2 electricians with the same name at different companies? I just wanted to give my opinion about this Tracy. lest his reputation be tarnished by mistaken identity


Tracy has been to our house several times & he has been nothing but courteous & professional. [emoji106]

[Pa & Giggi]

To golfing eagles and to cmj1210 I am sure that Tracy is nothing more than profession on his home visits, however on the day that he came to my home, he did indeed do what I wrote about and then admit this to his employer. His big boss called and apologized to me for the incident. His employer handled it internally.

I am certain that there will be no more issues with Tracy, at least I would hope not.

[golfing eagles]

To golfing eagles and to cmj1210 I am sure that Tracy is nothing more than profession on his home visits, however on the day that he came to my home, he did indeed do what I wrote about and then admit this to his employer. His big boss called and apologized to me for the incident. His employer handled it internally.

I am certain that there will be no more issues with Tracy, at least I would hope not.

Wasn't doubting your story, was just wondering if it was the same person

[fredthefisherman]

There is a "Tracey" that works for Pikes Electric. He does their warranty work in The Villages.

I would guess after this thread, he is feeling pretty small and embarrassed. Gosh, it's gotta be tough to have your name singled out on this board.

[CFrance]

I would guess after this thread, he is feeling pretty small and embarrassed. Gosh, it's gotta be tough to have your name singled out on this board.
That's true, and it was probably a momentary lapse, but it's just a lesson to all of us... social media has made it impossible to hide. Think twice before you act.