Drain Doctor?

[Scarlett]

I got home and the power was off and my washing was stuck in the machine, unable to drain. the sink was full of black water! I got Drain Doctor out and he fiddled around, took the pipes apart under the sink, took one apart on the outside wall, said he couldn't help me get the water out of the washing machine- and the water now drains WORSE than it did earlier on. He has tried and failed to fix it- in fact, it is now worse, and I am £148 worse off. He did say there is no call out fee and I can't see anywhere on their website where they say they will fix the job. He says more work is necessary- ie- more money. Is this standard practice?

[douglas9401]

Oh yes.

[ummmm]

Call a different firm.

[jno]

try looking on here (there are other similar sites)

http://www.ratedpeople.com/

[Dogsbody2]

Their website says prices are fixed prior to job starting. What did you sign in terms of contract? You may have case to complain.

This organisation makes a deal of no call out charges. That maybe so; they merely charge an astronomical hourly rate to ensure the total time expended is paid for. Simples.

The great thing is that they come out at all times. The bad thing? Well you've just discovered it in the new lightness of your wallet.

[tamborine]

No its not standard practice & you shouldnt pay till the job is fixed. Your man was a cowboy.

Call in a prof plumber & DONT pay till satisfied. You can sue cowboy if you get a report from pro plumber

[ummmm]

Not true, Tambo.

[gumboil]

Sue if you get a report from a pro plumber? You've got to be kidding Tambo.

Even the courts can't give you a legal definition of a pro plumber. Who's to say one plumber is better than another?

[tamborine]

I would expect a professional plumber tohave apprenticeship, NVQ, C&G at least. If a certified plumber agreed this job was hashed & supported a claim, then sue.

I expect all plumbers registered with www.draindoctor.co.uk to be qualified.

[douglas9401]

Tambo expects that every man will do his duty.

[tamborine]

Unfair Doug. I think Scarlett has been badly served. She has paid a fair price & received a bodged job.

Hope Scarlett leaves a bad review so others are warned off, or she gets an explanation & refund at least.

[Dogsbody2]

That is true, but the solution is not to call a professional plumber (whatever one of those is), get him to right a 'report' then use it to sue Drain Doctor.

The solution is what I said earlier. I'm afraid that your solution is impractical, expensive and may not result in a satisfactory remedy.

[Scarlett]

Just so, you know the outcome; for the £140-odd, the plumber tried and failed to fix the sink. I had to get him back the next day and was quoted £1600 to sort the blockage and replace all the drainpipes etc. He was there all day and my landlord got it a bit cheaper for doing a self employed job rather than through the company. But if I had been an old lady on my own, I would have paid £149 and been left with a washing machine full of watery clothes and a sink that was unusable.