Believe Plumbing of 2312 W Kathleen St Tampa, FL 33607 had an advertised deal that I accepted on 10 April through my Ang* account for a 799 Bradford White electric water heater install. I called Believe Plumbing the next working day, 11 April, at 0830 to confirm the price I got through Ang* and I provided the redemption code ANG*-298C41DD2EE7. I asked if there were any extra fees or permits charges and if I wanted to increase the size from 40 to 50 gallons what additional cost would apply. The business representative said the 799 dollar fee covered everything and that a 50 gallon unit would be the same 799 price. I also asked if they install the Bradford White brand but he was unsure (Bradford White brand is quoted in their deal). I asked to set up a service and install appointed ASAP as the current heater was leaking and nonfunctional. He confirmed my contact information and said service tech would call me. After 1pm I called back the representative was unsure of the appointment time but would check and call me back. After an hour with no call back I recalled and reached a different but nice lady would said she could not find any record of the service in the schedule and worked to fit me in the next day, 12 April, after 1 pm. I asked the service tech to call me once arrived to confirm if a 50 gallon unit would fit and to authorize the replacement as the property was currently rented. When I did not get a phone call in the afternoon of 12 April I again called Believe Plumbings office and asked about the status, I was told the service tech had already looked at the unit and was at the supply warehouse picking up the heater. When I reminded them they needed to call for my authorization and discuss the 40 or 50 gallon size the representative said, "oh yea he should have called you." I then asked to confirm the brand and was told it was "Estate" and not Bradford White. Sensing something didn't feel right and needing to ensure the repair was done as agreed I asked to speak with the owner about the difficulties. When the owner spoke with me he obviously was not told anything about my concerns and just asked, you want the install? I asked about the brand not being Bradford White as advertised and also total price, again sensing I was not getting the full truth. He said it is 1200 dollars either 40 or 50 gallon and the brand is "Estate" and not Bradford White (a better brand). When I told him I confirmed within his office the Ang* price Monday morning of $799 he said that is not valid and Ang* should not have that price active (but the "$799 deal" is still offered today). He offered no explanation why his staff would not tell me the correct price until I was able to talk with him and would not even consider any price reduction due to the circumstances, even though he still lists a 5 percent discount on the Ang* site too. Nor did he offer a military discount (which he claims he offers on his Yelp business page). He did say that they would install a water heater for $450 if I wanted to buy one locally like Home Depot or Lowes, but they will cost you 800 to 900 so $1200 is a good price. Actually an AO Smith brand 50 gallon equivalent water heater from Lowes cost under 600, after military 10 percent discount. AO Smith makes a lower end "Estate" brand heaters as well. Home Depot has Rheem 50 gallon for under 475 after military discount, all offer same 6 year warranty same as Estate he installed. Faced with need to complete the job that had already been delayed I told him the use the 50 gallon heater but that the bait and switch pricing was not acceptable. I was invoiced for 1200 with an extra 3.92 percent charge to use a credit card, something never disclosed - payments options state "Visa, Discover, Check". Based on my experience it is hard the believe what Believe Plumbing tells you - even after giving the owner an opportunity to address the issue and make things right. read more
