If you're looking for a low ball estimate followed by a double price final invoice, this is the place!
I called 4C and spoke with the owner, "Scooter," when a daisy chain of outlets in our living room stopped working after a contractor installed wainscoting. Scooter quoted me $55 an hour. I'd recently gotten an estimate from Scooter for some outdoor work. I scheduled a service appointment for the living room.
Never did Scooter mention a trip charge or an hourly minimum.
4 technicians showed up in 3 vehicles on the morning of my appointment. One was an apprentice in training, one tech was clearly in charge, the other 2 stood & watched. After testing it was determined a ground wire was loose - all was up and back to functioning in 20 minutes. No supplies needed.
I asked the lead tech what I owed (I planned to give them a full $55 even though they'd been in my home less than an hour), but he said "The owner don't trust us with money, he'll bill you." OK.....
A week went by and still no invoice. I called 4C and asked what I owed. Again I got the, "We'll invoice you." Another week went by and I FINALLY recv'd my invoice. $110!!! I thought there had to be a mistake. I called Scooter. He said "No mistake. That's what you owe." I reiterated our earlier conversation and the $55/hour quote, he said "You just don't get how this works. I gotta pay someone to answer the phone, to schedule the appointment, to make the repair. And I didn't charge you anything for that estimate I did for you." I almost thought he was joking, given the impolite manner in which he was speaking to me. I told him I was well aware of overhead and how a business works, but that he quoted me an hourly rate and I recv'd 20 minutes of service. He got angry and snapped "Fine! Pay whatever you think is fair!" and hung up. I sent $75, which I believe was more than fair.
Did the work get done? Yes. The technician was very polite and professional, as were the other 3 guys that stood around and watched him work.
But the way I was treated by the owner, Scooter, was completely unprofessional, unethical and downright rude.
Take your business elsewhere, where you'll be treated with respect and pay the actual amount you're quoted. read more