• Report: #102528

Complaint Review: The Water Damage Experts Inc - Joe Mendiola

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  • Submitted: Saturday, August 07, 2004
  • Last Posting: Wednesday, November 25, 2009
  • Reported By:Richmond California
The Water Damage Experts Inc - Joe Mendiola
284 Barnard Ave #c San Jose California 95110 U.S.A.
  • Phone: 800-560 0110
  • Web:
  • Category: Plumbing

The Water Damage Experts Inc Joe Mendiola ripoff kickback or referral system throughout california is it legal? San Jose California

*Consumer Comment: water damage victim


1Author 4Consumer 2Employee/Owner

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The Water Damage Experts Inc Tax ID #33-0560003 specializes in emergency water damage responce,sewage mitigation,mold remediation and repairs and serves the San Francisco Bay Area

and north to Sacramento and south to the Monterey Bay Area.

TWDE does not use traditional forms of advertizing instead it
operates soley on the referrals of plumbing contractors and pays a kickback of up to 40% of the job for the referral.

TWDE has a suspended contractors licence for lack of a qualifier and no field employees instead uses unlicenced independent contractors to avoid payroll taxes.

TWDE generates 4.5 millon a year and has been at it for about 13 years.TWDE is one of many larger companies engaging in this practice.

In order to cover the cost of these "referral kickbacks" TWDE must hike up their contract prices, it is the property owners and insurance companies who are victimized by this practice daily.

TWDE has contracts with plumbing contractors including ARS Rescue Rooter a subsidary of Service Master to provide free services when the plumber causes the water damage in exchange for referrals.

TWDE regularly holds contest with plumbing contractors including ARS Rescue Rooter for the most referrals,"GO's".

Often $1000.00 and or big prizes, plazma tvs ,home theaters or trips,company picknicks all in addition to the payed "referral kickbacks".

Because of these insentives greedy plumbers and independent contractors will resort to any tactict to get a signed contract.

Work is not documented to IICRC standards and is substandard at best!.

Plumbers and TWDE will make promisses to home owners to be fully covered by their insurance companies regardless of cost or type of loss.

And when the insurance co does'nt cover the loss the property owner is stuck with the inflated bill.

plumbers will often discourage clients from using the phone book or other resourses to get competive bids for fear of losing the "referral kickback".

This inhibbits the customer from receiving and the competition from giving competetive bids.

CAL OSHA won't let plumbers enter an area that is contaminated with sewage or flooded until the area is decontaminated by a water damage sewage specialist type company.

So it is real easy to see the corillation between the two services.

Now most property owners, given the situation,will go with the plumbers recommendation because the plumber is familiar with water damage situations.And fall victom to the

plumber"referral kickback" husstle!

TWDE came out to my home on the referral of a plumber ,Rescue Rooter,and charged me $4500.00 to clean up a mess from the broken kitchen line,only to find out later that plumber got 20 to 25% of the job.

That tells me had I looked around I might have saved obout $1200.00 I own a 2 bed room home with about 900 sq ft in the crawlspace.

not "GOT A FLOOD" how about GOT GOTCHA HEY HEY!!!

Nalee
Richmond, California
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 8/7/2004 12:29:53 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/plumbing/the-water-damage-exp/the-water-damage-experts-inc-j-4bz7f.htm.

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
1Author 4Consumer 2Employee/Owner
Updates & Rebuttals

#1 Consumer Suggestion

Contact Several Companies

AUTHOR: S.n. - Bucyrus (U.S.A.)

I had water damage to a basement once that was covered by my insurance. I contacted my agent and he sent an adjuster. I asked him for information on clean up services and he gave me a list. I called all of them, got estimates, contacted the adjuster again and everything was taken care of with no hassles. I did have more time to get things done because the water was in a part of the house that was in an unfinished basement. It's a good idea to always get more than one estimate and references for the companies, including checking to make sure the companies are licensed if required by state law.
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#2 Owner of Company

A competitor/former business associate filed this report!!!

AUTHOR: Joe - San Jose (U.S.A.)

It is quite obvious, based on the knowledge of our business, that the person(s) filing the report is a DISGRUNTLED, FORMER BUSINESS ASSOCIATE/COMPETITOR. Our track record speaks for itself.

We have countless letters of recommendation from our clients, and many more POSITIVE customer critique sheets. We are one of the few Restoration companies in the nation that offer a "Price Protection Guarantee" in writing. We are also a member in good standing with the Better Business Bureau, as well as countless other organizations such as Institute for Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification(IICRC)and Indoor Air Quality Association(IAQA).

The Water Damage Experts prefers participate in the improvement of our industry by promoting certification and standardized pricing, rather than addressing FALSE ACCUSATIONS like this report.

A note to COMPETITORS and FORMER BUSINESS ASSOCIATES of The Water Damage Experts:
Our company will take legal action against any and all entities who resort to slander and defamation of character tactics.
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#3 Ex-Employee

The Water Damage Epert LIE!!!

AUTHOR: D - Richmond (U.S.A.)

As a former Eployee/independent contractor and now a competitor I would'nt normally knock another company but I can say that Ms Nalee sounds like a very informed customer because everything she wrote is TRUE.

1 The Water Damage Experts does pay plumbers a kickback of 25% of the job for referrals, Yes it does affect the price of a job.

2 contractor licence is suspended for lack of a qualifer,It can be checked online.

3 BBB has one complaint concerning selling practices.it can be checked on line.

4 The Water Damage Experts does have contracts with plumbing companies to do free plumber causes
for referrals, and as an employee/ic we were forced to do those jobs for free.

If Joe calls the TRUTH slander then he can sue me.
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#4 Owner of Company

accusers distort the truth and tell lies!

AUTHOR: JOE - San Jose (U.S.A.)

Why do you refuse to identify yourself and your company? Why do you persist on dstorting the truth and fabricating lies?

Here is the truth:

As far as the Contractors State License Board is concerned, I have personally spoken with their representative named Heather and she stated that our company is NOT and has NEVER BEEN in violation, since we do not perform any structural work. My uncle, who was our qualifier, had to relocate. He was going to head our first ever construction division, but he decided to start his own company elsewhere. Thus the reason for the suspended CSLB license due to lack of Qualifier. We have ZERO complaints on file with the CSLB.

I am also attaching an excerpt of the BBB Reliability file on our company:

"Original Business Start Date: November 1991
Local Business Start Date: November 1991

BBB Membership

This company has been a member of this Better Business Bureau since October 2003. This means it supports the Bureau's services to the public and meets our membership standards.

Customer Experience

Based on BBB files, this company has a satisfactory record. To have a satisfactory record with the Bureau, a company must be in business for at least 12 months, properly and promptly address matters referred to it by the Better Business Bureau, and be free from an unusual volume or pattern of complaints and law enforcement action involving its marketplace conduct. In addition, the Bureau must have a clear understanding of the company's business and no concerns about its industry."

As you can see, in almost 15 years in business, we had only 1 BBB complaint filed, and it was resolved immediately! We have serviced thousands of satisfied customers.

My name is Joe Mendiola. I am the President and founder of The Water Damage Experts Incorporated. I am an Honorably Discharged Veteran of our Armed Forces. I am a recepient of many awards for my involvement with charitable organizations and churches. I have also been honored with an award from PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH for my contributions to the Small Business Advisory Board in California.

With respect to my company, our excellent customer service record speaks for itself. We have countless documents from customers to prove it. We are ready to provide supporting documentation in this forum or any other.

To Nalee and D of Richmond:
Nalee of Richmond lives with this supposed ex-employee "D-Richmond" who has a previous CRIMINAL RECORD and operates a Water Damage Restoration firm out of their residence. I will put my company and personal record against yours anytime!
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#5 Consumer Comment

SN is the only person here worth listening to

AUTHOR: Jake - (USA)

Whether you think the company is at fault or not isn't going to fix the water damage. If it's that big of an issue and it's this pressing, you ought to follow the advice given by the first responder. Worry about being reimbursed later on, for now - you should focus on your safety and saving your house, not money.
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#6 Consumer Comment

false report!

AUTHOR: LuseeLu - (USA)

NOT LIES! this company will not scam you.


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#7 Consumer Comment

your report

AUTHOR: CheechyChong - (United States of America)

Is all about TWDE's staffing practices (probably lies) and not about their quality of service! Get with it people!


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#8 Ex-Employee

ex-employee

AUTHOR: Juggs 23 - (Canada)

worked with the company for several months and was told to report water damage when there wasn't any!
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