We had Felix Septic come on an emergency visit, because our drains were suddenly backing up. We obliged to the extra $125 weekend charge, and any other charges for repairs. The technician arrived at 5:00pm and my father showed him where our septic cover is.
The cover is a large, 3'x3' concrete slab which is extremely heavy. My father helped the technician lift the cover with a dolly so he could expect the tank vent. He assessed that weeds and dirty had covered the opening, and just dropped the cover back down. The cover immediately cracked into five pieces. The technician said we could buy a new one at Home Depot for $25, so my father just waived the damage and said he could buy a new one, since he was more concerned on having the septic system functioning again.
The technician dug out the drain and charged us $150 total, which we wrote a check for, no questions asked. After searching for several days at all the local hardware stores, no septic cover could be found.
We called Felix Septic Services back on Monday, and could not speak to the supervisor or manager. Left a message, but did not hear back. Called again and left a message on Tuesday, no call back. Tried again two days later and left another message, no response. On the FOURTH time, my father finally got a hold of a manager named Ryan.
My father explained the situation, how the technician dropped the cover and broke it, and how he assured us it would be no problem to pickup a replacement. We explained that we offered to cover damage HIS technician only because we were trying to be helpful because it was a Saturday visit. But he did not seem at all interested in the situation, the damages, or cared that we were doing them a favor. After hearing how this was going, I listened in on the call.
Ryan seemed liked he had already made up his mind not to believe anything. He kept saying "You didn't have any problem when the guy was there, you waited 4 days, and now you are complaining?". My father told him "Because your guys told us I could buy a cover for $25, I did not complain but now I cannot find one anywhere, so I am asking you to either get me a cover or reimburse me." He kept telling him the same "you didn't have any problem with..." and we kept explaining him why we waited 4 days (because he wasn't returning our calls).
He said he will not "Take a hit for it". Seriously, he said "take a hit" for damage they caused. He even said "My guy came out on a Saturday to help you and now you are complaining?".
He was implying like he did a us favor, even though we paid extra for the service. My dad even offered to pay $20 if they could get us a cover. I'm pretty sure we are being beyond reasonable customers. He just flat out refused to even help fix the situation.
My father told him that "I could have told his guy that I'll pay after you replace the cover or could have called my bank for a stop payment, but I didn't." I am not sure if he is the manager or the owner.
This guy was rude, egotistic, and arrogant, and will likely kill this business by acting like that. I know I'll never call this company again. I'll go one step further and let all my contractor friends know about how they operate. He doesn't want to take a $20 and be responsible for their own accident... well guess what?
A $20 "hit" to fix a mistake will now cost them thousands more in potential business from our house alone from routine services, let alone anybody who reads this and hits the Back button to go elsewhere. I don't think they believe in "word of mouth" publicity, or trying to be a local business.
We had another local company over to do landscaping after this incident, and the owner saw the cover and asked me about it. I told him what happened and his response was "I am glad you told me. Now I know never to call them in the future." I suggest you do the same. read more