I don't know which was left more shitty, my laundry room floor, or how I was treated by the Folks at Yerkes & Sons.
I've put off leaving this review for a long while because I don't like doing negative reviews, especially for people I used to respect. But, today's the day. I hope this honest review helps someone make the right choice for them.
After my mother being a loyal Yerkes customer for as long as we've lived in this house which has been 25+ years, I've let go of that label because they let go of valuing us as customers a while ago. I'm not going to get into all the details, but I'll say this much, through the years there have been multiple screw ups, but once an older person feels safe calling a service provider, they forgive mistakes. And people like Yerkes take advantage. But not of my mother, not any more.
Little things: (If this is little- ps it's not)
More than once we had an appointment but no one showed or called, when you ask about it you get "Oh Grandpa can't keep things straight sometimes. His bad". That's comforting when you still can't use your bathroom. But I let it go. We all have Grandpa's who don't want to let go of their glory days.
Huge things:
Then this happened, and I'll never call or recommended Yerkes again because of it. A reoccurring problem with my drain in my laundry room. Every few years it needs to be rodded. I know because it's the same thing every time and so when I called Yerkes, I spoke with the Grandfather and I explained exactly what was happening again. He knew because he has worked in my house before. Its the exact same thing that's been done every 3 years for the last 2 decades so if they had any kind of records system they'd know. Anyway, he sends his grandson out, the guy gets here says "I don't have the right equipment, I have to send someone from Beverly with the right machine". I told him I explained to his grandfather when I called what the problem was, how it happens every few years. He said oh "Grandpa makes mistakes all the time, he didn't want to give up control, you know how it is. What can you do." Then we chit chat, nice kid......After the work is done, he has the nerve to try and charge me for 2 men for double the time. Like I'm a goddamned idiot.
Did the new generation of Yerkes see an Elderly woman and assume no one would speak up for her so they could fleece her all they want? How many people have they cheated like this?The balls on this guy, and his cheerful nice guy personality shifted like a house of cards the second I questioned why we were being billed for 2 men. He goes "There are 2 men here." Even though the 2nd guy never stepped foot in the house? That's work? You'd try to charge an 85yr old lady an extra $120 for your brother or whoever to sit in the car for 20 mins? Invite your family over, Junior, does that mean, I'm liable for billable hours? I explained to this young man "This was your grandfather's mistake, and you think it's fair to charge us double for it?...Really?" He knew he was wrong. He had admitted all night his Grandfather was wrong, and he swiftly went from being a really nice kid to very pissed off. If he had handled that differently, this wouldn't have ended this way. But, where I'm from, you don't take advantage of people. Don't lie about the work you do. A liar is a cheater, a cheater is a thief.
He changed the bill, BEGRUDGINGLY, he still overcharged me, but not by much more than usual. I just wanted him out of our home. And he had the nerve to say "and I think I'm being more than fair with you"... Oh do you Sweetheart? Wait until someone tries to take advantage of your wife or mother. Just wait. Karma is a thing. You *will* experience it to learn a lesson.
P.s. Had the folks at Yerkes told me we were using the wrong kind of washing machine lint filter I wouldn't have sewer backups every few years. My new plumber showed me how to avoid the problem. That's fair. And because of that, I trust him so I'll pay his prices and call him when I need him. That's the kind of small business I'll support. read more