[dillywho]

This is another outfit to avoid....learned the hard way. Just wish I had Googled them first; many, many complaints out there. Betcha I check out the next stuff I get done.

[LELANDJANE]

I couldn't believe it when this thread came up today with a new post! I just had a bad experience with "Pat, the Plumber" (who advertises 'arriving with a smile') yesterday. We had a small leak from the hot water knob in my shower. My husband left for the golf course (!) and left instructions for me to look for a plumber in the phonebook. I found the biggest (2 pages) plumbing ad. My husband said what we needed was a new hot water valve. The young plumber arrived within an hour (sure enough with a smile on his face) and told me I would owe $79 for the call, which I expected. He then looked at the shower, confirmed the diagnosis and informed me that it would cost $550 to fix! I told him he'd have to talk to my husband, called him at the golf course, he told him to leave, I paid the $79 and Carl called his brother(who is not a plumber) and he repaired it with a ten-cent gasket!! Yes, there are many honest plumbers but not this one. As relative newcomers, we now know that we need to get personal recommendations, rather than look for the flashiest ad in the phonebook. (Carl just stopped payment on the $79 check.)

[lasvegas]

Laura, This is Gretchen and I have no idea who you are but it would be a good idea for you to learn you facts before you post things. You have no idea who I am I have worked in The Villages for many many years and have lived here all my life. There was a situation almost two years ago and there were some disagreements on the contracts. I don't have to explain it all to you but, it was three cases in 2006 and I did about 180 jobs that year so if anyone know anything about TV they should know you are never going to make everyone happy. If Laura, I owe you anything please let me know. You should have my number since you seem to know so much about me. My lawyer has gotten a copy of this and he will be reviewing it.

[joeyd]

Originally Posted by LELANDJANE

I couldn't believe it when this thread came up today with a new post! I just had a bad experience with "Pat, the Plumber" (who advertises 'arriving with a smile') yesterday. We had a small leak from the hot water knob in my shower. My husband left for the golf course (!) and left instructions for me to look for a plumber in the phonebook. I found the biggest (2 pages) plumbing ad. My husband said what we needed was a new hot water valve. The young plumber arrived within an hour (sure enough with a smile on his face) and told me I would owe $79 for the call, which I expected. He then looked at the shower, confirmed the diagnosis and informed me that it would cost $550 to fix! I told him he'd have to talk to my husband, called him at the golf course, he told him to leave, I paid the $79 and Carl called his brother(who is not a plumber) and he repaired it with a ten-cent gasket!! Yes, there are many honest plumbers but not this one. As relative newcomers, we now know that we need to get personal recommendations, rather than look for the flashiest ad in the phonebook. (Carl just stopped payment on the $79 check.)

Thanks for sharing your experience with Pat the Plumber. My wife did the same as you as far as the Yellow Pages go. It was smart of you to call your husband first. I'll add this to my collection of Pat the Plumber's rip-off stories.

[Laura]

You got arrested for grand theft, that says it all. By all means, send a copy to your attorney. And don't forget to include the article in the Daily Sun with your mug shot. As you know, I have already tried to contact you many times, and so has the sherrifs office. Very commendable of lasvegas to let you post under that name.

[LELANDJANE]

?????

[tkret]

Originally Posted by LELANDJANE

?????

the original post may have been removed by the Administrators

[graciegirl]

It must have been...or something. I was making popcorn waiting to see what was really happening.

I have other things to do...OH yes I do. This place is addicting.

[cheech07]

I'm glad to hear from Villagers about "problem" contractors. I just wanted to tell all that I had a terrific experience with a heating and air conditioning company here in TV. I was having a problem with my heating system and called M&S Air Conditioning. One of the owner's, Steve, showed up a short time later. We went over my problem and he checked a few things out. He then explained what the problem might be, but needed to isolate the issue to the thermostat or the furnace. He layed out a plan for me to help determine where the problem was and checked the heat coming from each vent. All in all, he spent about a half hour with me. When he was ready to leave I asked how much the charge was, because I was made aware of the service call charge beforehand. Zero. Nothing. Steve even refused a tip I was offering for his time. As it turned out, the thermostat was bad and it is being replaced by Lowes. I would definitely call M&S again. Apparently, they are not out to take advantage of folks.

[faithfulfrank]

I do not want to go off topic, but I can also second a recommendation for M&S air.

I needed to replace my 15 year old A/C unit about 2 years ago. I got about 4 quotes. 3 of my neighbors highly recommended M&S. I had them give me a quote, and not only were they the most reasonable, they seemed the most knowledgeable and the least pushy.

I got a very nice Rheem unit, and they installed it in one day very professionally. I wanted the big condensing unit moved about 10 ft from where the old one was, and they did that no problem.

Since then they have been back a couple of times for maintenance, etc, and were great. I also thought their service contract was reasonable, (and I do not usually get them), and they had to come out twice for dumb things a tenant did......clearly not the fault of the unit or themselves, but they took care of it no charge. I would recommend them to anyone. Steve and Mike are the best.....

Frank

[ladylake1]

Funny but I just got a recorded call from some unknown (?) entity asking me to schedule a free energy evaluation. Can save on my electric bill and get up to $3700 in federal stimulus money. Sounded just like the letter I got and previously mentioned in this thread. I know my guess as to who is behind this phone call but will leave name unsaid. You all can take a stab at it!!!!

[abbicory]

If plumbers send you a quote without making a visual inspection, it is the first sign of a possible scam. In any case you should only accept a detailed written estimate from the plumbing contractor before starting the job

[Laura]

apparently, JoeyD did not see the original email which began circulating approx. a year ago. Pat's staff tried to take advantage of my uncle - new to the villages, lives alone - called them because the handle used to flush his toilet fell off - and they told him that the villages does faulty work, and he needed things replaced, and to the tune of a thousand dollars.
I called "PAT" and he finally returned my uncles money - this kind of practice is commonplace with that company, as I am STILL reading e-mail and posts regarding that company.

[dave2485]

I used Pat the plummer once just to try a different company, what a mistake that was, biggest rip off in the Villages. Been here for 14 years always had good service at a far price from Dunstan Plumming, should never have strayed.