|
|
Post by busy on Jul 2, 2017 23:09:29 GMT
Last Wednesday, our water heater stopped producing hot water. I called a plumbing service we've used in the past and been happy with. Our house is 8 years old, so I expected we'd probably have to replace the water heater. But when the plumber got here on Thursday afternoon he said it was overall in very good condition. There wasn't a good connection with one part (thermocoupler, IIRC) and he just needed to replace that and it would be fine. I specifically mentioned the age of the unit and my understanding that this is usually about when water heaters need to be replaced. He agreed but said there was no reason to replace ours - just this part. Ok. He's the expert, we're not. We had him proceed with the repair - which cost $277.
We had hot water on Thursday afternoon and Friday. Saturday morning shower - nope. No hot water since. I called the office and left a message (they are not open on weekends and I did not want to pay the premium hourly charge to come out on the weekend). They'll call tomorrow.
I presume we're now going to have to replace the whole thing and that the plumber was wrong that it was repairable. I can't decide what I think is fair about the repair we just paid for. The fix didn't even last 48 hours. We weren't trying to cheap out and repair when they recommended replacement. If anything, it was the reverse. I'm miffed about the whole thing and don't want to be unreasonable and ask for too much, but neither do I want to not ask for enough.
Would you expect part or all of that $277 to be applied toward the replacement? It round numbers about $70 was the part, and $200 was the labor.
|
|
|
|
Post by mellowyellow on Jul 2, 2017 23:14:22 GMT
This same situation happened to me a few months ago. Our plumber said if the repair didn't hold and we got a new water heater they would deduct what I previously paid.
|
|
|
|
Post by LiLi on Jul 2, 2017 23:14:54 GMT
Thermocouples run less than 20.00 and 200.00 for labor?! Yikes. I've changed one before, super easy. I would go to another company if those are truly the numbers they gave you for that repair.
|
|
|
|
Post by busy on Jul 2, 2017 23:21:32 GMT
Thermocouples run less than 20.00 and 200.00 for labor?! Yikes. I've changed one before, super easy. I would go to another company if those are truly the numbers they gave you for that repair. The thermocoupler was $71.50. The rest was 1.25 hours of labor (and a $45 trip charge that is standard for all calls). |
|
SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,467 
Location: Dallas Texas
|
Post by SabrinaP on Jul 2, 2017 23:56:21 GMT
If they have to replace the whole thing I would expect them to deduct what I already paid off the total.
|
|
|
|
Post by mom on Jul 2, 2017 23:58:29 GMT
Before getting mad at them, I would call and talk with them about what their policy is. I suspect them will give you a break on some of the cost to repair/replace. If they don't I would call another company.
|
|
|
|
Post by busy on Jul 3, 2017 0:11:06 GMT
Before getting mad at them, I would call and talk with them about what their policy is. I suspect them will give you a break on some of the cost to repair/replace. If they don't I would call another company. I have things going on at the moment that make this exceptionally inconvenient and frustrating (we have houseguests arriving and no hot water - and then we leave on vacation for 10 days on Wednesday), so I was just looking for the input of currently sane people to be sure I wasn't crazy to think we should get most/all of what we paid last week credited to whatever has to be done now. I find it's better to go into any kind of negotiation knowing what you want from it - and that what you're asking for is reasonable. So I just wanted to be prepared when I talk to them tomorrow. I've no intention of going in guns blazing. lol Not my style. |
|
schizo319
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,030
|
Post by schizo319 on Jul 3, 2017 0:15:21 GMT
I would expect to be credited for the previous repair.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jul 3, 2017 0:23:15 GMT
I think, in light of what you've said so far, the minimum they should deduct is the $45 call charge from the second call. They wouldn't be back a second time if they'd done the repair right the first time. I think I'd probably also expect them to eat the cost of the part ($70)-- it can either be reused or recycled.
I would have a hard time fighting for credit on labor because the work's already been done. I think it does make some sense to try replacing that thermocoupling first rather than have you replace the whole water heater, kwim? I don't think they were necessarily trying to make you pay $300 on top of buying a new water heater (and I don't think you're suggesting they were, either)... so I might ask for the labor, but I don't know if I'd go to ground on it.
But hopefully their policy is that they will credit your whole $277.
|
|
FurryP
Prolific Pea
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 7,797
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
|
Post by FurryP on Jul 3, 2017 0:34:40 GMT
Would you expect part or all of that $277 to be applied toward the replacement? It round numbers about $70 was the part, and $200 was the labor. I would expect them to apply all to your replacement. You proceeded with the transaction based on the plumber's recommendation. Like you said, they are the experts. They made the diagnosis. And make sure you know what gallon tank you have so they don't try to recoup costs by providing you with a lower gallon tank. Unless you were planning to upgrade to a higher one, of course. I think they have efficiency ratings also. |
|
|
|
Post by gramasue on Jul 3, 2017 0:36:19 GMT
This is why we rent our hot water heater. If anything goes wrong, it's covered.
If the original verdict was wrong, then I would certainly expect the cost of that part to be put toward the real fix [or replacement].
|
|
inkedup
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,837
Jun 26, 2014 5:00:26 GMT
|
Post by inkedup on Jul 3, 2017 0:56:02 GMT
I'd hope they would put the cost of the labor toward any future bills.
|
|
|
|
Post by femalebusiness on Jul 3, 2017 1:23:04 GMT
Before getting mad at them, I would call and talk with them about what their policy is. I suspect them will give you a break on some of the cost to repair/replace. If they don't I would call another company. This, plus a bad review on Yelp. |
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Jul 3, 2017 1:26:09 GMT
This is why we rent our hot water heater. If anything goes wrong, it's covered. If the original verdict was wrong, then I would certainly expect the cost of that part to be put toward the real fix [or replacement]. ive never heard of renting one Ibwould expect the call fee and at a minimum 1/2 the labor. I Would not expect the part to be refunded |
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Jul 3, 2017 1:26:37 GMT
Is it possible the new part just came loose?
|
|
artsydaisy
Full Member
Posts: 464
Jul 1, 2014 4:55:48 GMT
|
Post by artsydaisy on Jul 3, 2017 1:29:54 GMT
I'd hope they would put the cost of the labor toward any future bills. Me too! Something similar happened to me recently, and the conversation went like this: Repair Guy: I know it sounds wasteful, but I'm going to charge you for labor to replace this part, which may or may not fix the problem. So I suggest buying a new unit, because the labor will be similar and you're at the end of life on this unit. Then you know the problem will be fixed. And you can sell the old one for scrap metal. Me: Ugh, OK. Since you brought up the idea that the unit probably needs to be replaced and you were comfortable doing that, it seems like he was gouging you for labor. Or just wrong. Either way, I would expect them to try to make you happy. That sucks -- hope you can get a good resolution! |
|
snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,493
Location: Colorado
|
Post by snyder on Jul 3, 2017 2:50:38 GMT
Usually on the receipt they give you, it has their policy in case of failure. Did you look on it to see what it may have listed?
|
|
Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,039
|
Post by Nanner on Jul 3, 2017 2:56:29 GMT
I would also expect the cost to be credited towards replacement
|
|
|
|
Post by busy on Jul 3, 2017 3:35:53 GMT
Usually on the receipt they give you, it has their policy in case of failure. Did you look on it to see what it may have listed? It says Please call office for company warranty policies. No warranty for homeowner provided parts and fixtures. No warranty on repairs or installations downstream of old galvanized lines. Not super helpful  |
|
MsKnit
Pearl Clutcher
RefuPea #1406
Posts: 2,648
Jun 26, 2014 19:06:42 GMT
|
Post by MsKnit on Jul 3, 2017 4:31:18 GMT
I would want the entire amount credited toward a new water heater. The repair provided water for less than 48 hours. Unacceptable!
It would be different if you asked the repairmen to go cheap. You were prepared to pay for a new water heater. He advised wrong. It should not be your loss.
|
|
|
|
Post by nlwilkins on Jul 3, 2017 5:55:36 GMT
Eight years is not the max on hot water heaters. Usually they last longer than that. I Googled it and the average was starting at 8 for a gas hot water heater and 10 for an electric. But, we have always had our hot water heaters last much longer. This last one was in the house when we purchased it and was old then and that was seven years ago. So it lasted about 10 - years. Its a gas and it was still going strong, but I wanted a larger one because I was tired of taking turns taking showers and waiting for the hot water to recharge.
Anyway, go look at the hot water heater and see if there are any leaks or anything loose. I might just be something else needing repair and not needing a new one.
|
|
