Fast Water Heater Co.

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Bait and Switch

The Home Depot claims same-day water heater installation is available in most areas, if called before noon. We contacted The Home Depot on Friday afternoon and got scheduled the earliest installation appointment for Monday, the installation being done by Fast Water Heater Company. The installation cost estimate was $392 plus the price of the water heater, with a disclaimer that there may be extra charges. Later we were notified that they postponed the installation appointment to Tuesday.
On Tuesday one big and strongly built representative came to our house, said that he didn’t come to do the installation (as originally scheduled) but to give us a proposal, and that he cannot do the work anyway, because he needs a second man for the job. In his proposal the installation cost jumped from $392 to $1,148. When we inquired at the Fast Water Heater Company they responded that all items in the proposal were correct, including the charge for the second man (item code I8, cost $119).
Needless to say that after this bait and switch experience we looked for another plumber and found one who was honest, skilled, and didn’t need a second man. He also installed a higher grade water heater than Home Depot would have.

First of all, let me introduce my situation. I live in 2nd floor condo w/ basement parking structure. 5 years ago, I had to replace water heater, due to water leak on the tank causing all the water leak to down stair neighbor. When I replaced the water heater the installer never installed "drain pan" to prevent water leaks to downstair. anyhow, 5 years have past and I need to replace the water heater again before it starts to leak to friendly neighbor.



I visited the SEARS and i asked the customer service representative that I need to get a "Drain Pan" installed, and at the same time I need to get the water heater. note, that installing the "drain pan" is more crucial than installing the water heater, thus there is no point of installing the water heater if i can not get the drain pan installed. I told her that i do not have drain pipe to install the drain pan and she told me that the 3rd party sub-contractor should install the pipe for $50.xx dollar. so i end up buying the water heater and the drain pan at the cost of $800. I didn't really care much about the price since the installation will give me peace in mind. the SEARS rep also told me that there will be extra charge for extra parts and few things to get installed under the state code.



I received a call from Fast water co, who is sub-contractor for the SEARS and they would come to my place for installation. A inspector came to my place and i showed him the location of water heater. He saw the water heater and asked me when i replaced my water heater. I told him that it was replaced 5 years ago. at first, he recommended me not to replace the water heater because it's still in good condition. After the inspection, he quotes me an extra charge an amount of $4xx.xx. one of the charge was $250 that he parked his vehicle outside on the street. i told him he can park in underground visitor parking lot, but he said that his truck is too big and he has to carry the water heater from the street. Doesn't he have dolly for that?? there is few tenants living in our condo that has ford f350 and SUV and they don't have any problem with parking underground. I asked him if drain pan installation was included in that quote and he said no, he can not install drain pan because there is no drain pipe in my unit. I told him that if he can not install drain pan under the water heater, there is no point for me to get water heater installed. In the end, i had no choice to tell him to cancel the order. He then tells me that there is $50 for visiting fee. ?? I mean this is outrageous. he comes to my place and gives me a quote that'll cost me over $1200 to get a "WATER HEATER" installed and now he wants me to pay him $50 for visitation fee? who does he think he is?? "DOCTOR Plumber? Anyways, I would not recommend anyone for their service.



I still need to go back to SEARS for not mentioning to customer that there is $50 visitation fee...