Overcharged for Circuit Breaker replacement? My refrigerator and microwave oven power was turning off even after resetting...
My refrigerator and microwave oven power was turning off even after resetting the circuit breakers. I call an electrician that had a website ad beside satisfaction guarantee,etc. He looked at the panel and said some circuit breakers are burned and some breakers are not compatible,etc. And he gave me an estimate of $2400 to replace 13 circuit breakers. After the "web-discount" he settled on $2020. He said his price is the lowest and one and a partly year gurantee is the best in the business and his company brocheture also says so.With adjectives the wires hanging and him acting like I may hold electrical hazard if I don't fix it immediately, I agreed. Before the assignment he said he will have to check the amp in the house wirings, replace this and that within the panel,etc but later all he did is replace some circuit breakers and he get them from his van. Whole thing took less than 20 minutes. Later I did a network search of the circuit breakers he replaced and found that they are about $15 respectively!
I focus you got screwed...go to their bureau and contest the bill...it may have been a "bad" member of staff in a good company. If the company is legit after they'll be happy to make you lively. You can also contact the BBB if you have trouble with the company.
That is obscene. You were plainly treated unfairly.
I would start with the Better Business Bureau, but hold on to in mind that the BBB is a neutral, non-profit firm and they cannot force him to refund your money. But they are a good start. They are competent to work as a mediator in the issue.
But in this case, you're dealing near a real crook so it's probably going to take some work to attain your money back.
After submitting your complaint to the BBB, get within touch with the company manager and report the incident. Let them know you've already get the BBB involved and will only agree to close the complaint if you are refunded your money.
Hopefully that will find things resolved. If it doesn't, I would see what your options are with your guard. If you used a check, you might still be able to do a stop payment.
Answers: Are you sure that all he did was to replace some circuit breakers? If specifically all he did, then you be most certainly overcharged. His service call shouldn't own cost more than $150 and his time and materials no more than another $100, for a max (and I mean max) of $250. Also, are you sure than each breaker cost something like $15, because usually they're less than half of that. I would write him a message requesting a refund of $1750. After 10 days when he fails to respond, contact the better business bureau within your area as well as the governmental license agency (I'm assuming that he is a licensed electrician) that licenses electricians and complain in writing to both. Then I would sue him surrounded by small claims court for fraud and try to sue for not only the $1750, but for triple the amount because some states allow for triple damages when you can prove fraud. I would come to court with both the productive bill and 2 written estimates from 2 licensed electricians for the same work performed. Contact the license electrician association in your immediate nouns for the names of two electricians who could come to your house free of charge to give a written estimate. Chances are that the association is as enthusiastic to out this person as you are and they may be willing to cooperate and provide the name of 2 electricians who will give free written estimates.
Outright highway robbery!
Demand a compensation & report this guy! Yep you got ripped off big time.. To replace a few Circuit breakers and an electricians time you'd be looking at probably $100-$300, Any time that you own a problem like this you should always carry a few quotes. And do some research first so they know you have abit of an idea. (Not sure where on earth your from But here in Australia i would report them to "The Office Of Fair Trading",they'd probably take his electrical licence past its sell-by date him over here for fraud.And it would give you a good overnight case to get a refund if you be lucky but unlikely)