Unfortunately, Aaron Brown, the owner of Victory Electric, didn't live up to all his terrific reviews in his conduct with me.
Aaron agreed to do a panel upgrade and some other work at my vacation home an hour's drive from Bakersfield. He didn't seem too enthusiastic about it, but he agreed to do it. After 30 days had gone by and not having gotten any status updates from him, I emailed him to ask how things are going. He said he would go up to the cabin soon and check on conditions. I was surprised he had not even gone up there yet.
A couple weeks later, he finally made it up to the cabin. I then received an email from him stating that he would not be able to do the job due to certain unforeseen issues. When I questioned these issues, he then stated that he might be able to do it but at a higher price. I asked for him to return my $1000 deposit, and he agreed.
When he sent me a check for $180 I was surprised. Apparently, Aaron started the permitting and scheduling with Southern Ca Edison before he knew whether or not he could do the job. He obviously made a mistake in taking 6 weeks to get up to the property, and now he was charging me for his error. I got no benefit from his efforts and would have to start over with a new electrician.
I should add that a local electrician with zero reviews and requiring no deposit up front, managed to do the job without any issues in less than 30 days at the exact same bid. He stated that his time with SCE was done online and took just minutes to do.
It sure seemed to me that Aaron just didn't really want to do this job and was looking for excuses not to do it.
There is something else that Aaron did that I had a problem with and should be considered a red flag for anyone considering doing business with him. He charged me full sales tax on a job that was nearly entirely labor. I guess he thought he could pocket an extra 8% without me noticing. read more
