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Message |
    
margotsc
Citizen
Username: Margotsc
Post Number: 64
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 10:21 am: | 
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I just called a plumbing/heating company about giving me an estimate to replace our boiler and hot water heater and they told me it would be $65 for a guy to come to the house. They would waive the fee if we go with them. They said this has become standard practice. Is this true?
Also, has anyone replaced their gas boiler and hot water heaters lately? How much did the job run? Thanks! |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 584
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 10:29 am: |
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Custom Air came out and gave an estimate to replace our furnace last week. They did not charge a fee. They replaced my air conditioning last year. I would highly recommend them. Great company. Great service. |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 585
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 10:29 am: |
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I actually had three companies come out - none of them charged a fee. |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1258
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 10:33 am: |
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IMHO, companies should never charge for an estimate. The only company that ever has was Top Hat and Tails (chimney guy), who people highly recommend on this board. However, I didn't realize he charges for estimates - I never would have bothered with someone who charges. |
ceejay
Citizen
Username: Ceejay1234
Post Number: 11
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 10:35 am: |
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Gateway came out to give us an estimate on a plumbing repair and not only did they not charge, but ended up recommending against doing anything immediately about the problem. |
margotsc
Citizen
Username: Margotsc
Post Number: 65
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 11:07 am: |
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They came and I was able to get them to agree NOT to charge as we are prior customers. Good to know that this is not becoming a common practice! |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1074
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 11:34 am: |
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I suspect that as contractors get VERY busy they begin charging for estimates... but to hell with that - I never pay for an estimate. |
David Cataneo
Citizen
Username: Dave_cataneo
Post Number: 108
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 2:50 pm: |
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Of course you pay for estimates. The time spent on an estimate represents an actual expense to the company which must be made up somehow - If not a direct fee to the customer, then in the overhead that is built into each invoice. Most people obviously prefer not to see that charge "for doing nothing", but make no mistake, in the end it has to be paid by the consumer, just like all other operating expenses. That said, our policy is that we don't charge the prospective client for estimates in this area (Maplewood, SO, WO, Millburn) because we're always here anyway. But outside of our immediate service area, we do charge a refundable, nominal fee to cover the time lost and to discourage those people who call everyone in the phone book for a "free" estimate. I know it's not to everyone's liking, but our resources are finite, and so this the best way we've found to satisfy the greatest number of people. There's no free parts or service either (in spite of what PSE&G says), but that's for another day. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12342
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 5:00 pm: |
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David, your policy is reasonable. But pointing out that the cost of estimates is built into your cost of doing business (and is therefore passed on to customers) is beside the point. Or at least it is offset by the fact that the estimate is a speculative act that might lead to some profitable business. If businesses don't want to speculate at all, they won't be well rewarded. And I know you know that.
And I hope it's clear that this is not a knock on your business at all. You folks do a great job. I'm just making a point about your argument.
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