[ltcdfancher]

A neighbor shared his experience with a well-recognized Villages plumber. Here’s what they described. A faucet in the house was leaking. They called the Home Warranty Department to learn that A) the home warranty expired a few months back; B) Delta warrants the installed faucets for life; and C) the name of the company that plumbed the house.

My neighbor called the plumber. The person arrived and told the homeowner the costs of the service call and the hourly rate. The plumber replaced the faucet’s cartridge and all was well. The invoice included the cost of the new cartridge. When my neighbor questioned the charge given what they learned about warranty, they were told that the information was incorrect. My neighbor asked for the worn cartridge.

They contacted Delta to find out that someone representing the plumber had already filed a claim.

Let the buyer beware! No, I will not provide the name of the plumbing company. It could be that the company’s representative was the one that filed the claim unbeknownst to the company.

[retiredguy123]

Typically, Delta will replace any part on a faucet that fails, but the customer needs to call Delta and ask for the part to be sent to the customer. A plumber may or may not install the part that the customer received from Delta. Plumbers do not usually deal with Delta at all, and I don't blame them. One advantage to doing business with a plumber is that the plumber may have a replacement part in stock for immediate installation. It could take 2 or 3 weeks to receive a replacement part from Delta.

I would suggest that your neighbor call Delta and ask for a new cartridge that can be used as a replacement at a future time.

[Topspinmo]

Usually warranty only covers the parts on minor expensive fixtures. I would find it hard to find plumber that would do warranty work without labor charge even with you providing the part from delta. They have to eat too. I am fortunate I have skill and can still do simple repair jobs around house without having to depend on hundred dollar plus hour labor rate with most companies. I had to fix delta faucet that leaked and delta did send parts to fix it.

[npwalters]

If you are not going to name the plumber, then your "let the buyer beware" seems inappropriate.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Usually warranty only covers the parts on minor expensive fixtures. I would find it hard to find plumber that would do warranty work without labor charge even with you providing the part from delta. They have to eat too. I am fortunate I have skill and can still do simple repair jobs around house without having to depend on hundred dollar plus hour labor rate with most companies. I had to fix delta faucet that leaked and delta did send parts to fix it.

Not sure what that means. Price-Pfister has always warrantied all faucets for life, including cartridges. I assume Delta has a similar policy or people would only buy Price-Pfister.

Plumber or handyman is going to charge for labor/service call. Not their fault it failed. But not sure why a plumber is needed, this is an easy DIY or handyman for a nominal fee.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by npwalters

If you are not going to name the plumber, then your "let the buyer beware" seems inappropriate.

Yes, seriously. OP, if you're not going to call out the guilty party, you aren't helping anyone by posting this.

OTOH, who is guilty? The plumber didn't know whether or not the homeowner had a replacement cartridge from Delta, and if they didn't and had to supply one, there's going to be a charge for the part. Warranty is only to homeowner, and only before the reinstall.

[retiredguy123]

This thread is misguided. The plumber is not a guilty party. Delta will send a defective part replacement to the customer/homeowner. Labor is not included in the warranty. If you want to hire a plumber, you need to pay for their labor. The plumber is not going to deal with Delta in any manner.

[Sparky99]

Caveat emptor always....

[ltcdfancher]

What I found questionable was that someone (not the homeowner) attempted to claim recompense for the cost of the Delta cartridge after the homeowner paid the full amount of the invoice that included the cost of the cartridge. Wasn’t someone trying to get paid twice for the same item? Once from the homeowner and again from Delta?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by ltcdfancher

What I found questionable was that someone (not the homeowner) attempted to claim recompense for the cost of the Delta cartridge after the homeowner paid the full amount of the invoice that included the cost of the cartridge. Wasn’t someone trying to get paid twice for the same item? Once from the homeowner and again from Delta?

I doubt it. You can call Delta and they will send you any replacement part that you need for free under warranty, or, if you don't have a warranty, they will sell the part to you. However, I don't think that Delta will ever pay you money for a part.

I have found that it is usually easier to buy the part from Amazon or Home Depot instead of calling Delta. Getting the part for free from Delta may save you some money, but it will take longer to get it. Also, even if you have the part, a plumber may refuse to install it because they cannot get reimbursed if the part is defective.