Discount Home Appliance overcharge, charged without authorization Blaine Minnesota

On January 16th, Discount Home Appliance came to my home in response to a dishwasher repair request. My 7 year old Bosch dishwasher was not advancing to the next cycle stage. The technician was quick and thorough and claimed I needed a new water valve because my pipe was frozen and it would probably leak if it started again. I also said that I would like him to put two new metal brackets on the side of the dishwasher because the other two had come loose. And, while I'm at it, I would like to replace one of the lower collapsible tines because the tine broke and rusted He quoted me $359.00.

He was here for no more than 40 minutes. He didn't have the parts in stock and would need to order them. I had reservations, asked the tech about the age of my appliance, he thought I should do it since it's a high end dishwasher. This first call was on a 1/16/09. Time went by and on 1/29/09 he came to replace the tine, reinstall and replace water valve.

Several days passed after the initial call and the dishwasher line unfroze and was working fine again. I still needed the tines and brackets and thought I would tell him when he got to my house about the dishwasher working again. I told him, his response was "oh". Literally.

Looking back, I now know I should have questioned him but again, he was very unapproachable so I just let him replace the valve since I assumed he would have told me if it didn't need replacing.

He replaced the valve, added the two brackets, and before leaving, said the tines would be sent to me.... it didn't occur to me at the time, but when he originally quoted the price with the tines (it's on the original receipt), I was certain that was inlcuding parts in the 359.00 - cost of replace and intall. It wasn't until I looked at my Visa bill that the total was $399.00. Something I didn't approve or sign for. I only approved of ordering the part, thinking it was included in the price of 359.00

Breakdown of costs:

Comany service charge of 89.90
Bosch water valve $19.50 (i called bosch and got this price)
support brakcets x2 $9.10 (called bosch)
Bosch Lower collapse tines - additional $40.04

Repairs actually done - Replaced water valve (after specifically telling service man that the dishwasher must have defrosted and now worked fine.
He added the two support brackets and secured to side of wood cabinet - incidentally, the dishwasher isn't level and I have someone coming back tomorrow at no charge. Thank you.

Company charged me $399.99 on my Visa, (not authorized to do so) I called two other companies (one referred to me by Warner Stellian and the other through the yellow pages.

D & T Appliance $193.50 Parts and labor (notice this INCLUDES installing tine) Direct Home Appliance Service
Trip charge $69.00 ( included first 15 minutes of work)
Valve 1/2 hour at 18/hour brackets 45-1 hour
Parts $64.00 (water valve, brackets and tines)
Total cost $199.00

This Company overcharge me by about $200. I spoke to the their General Manager and he claims that since I approved the work to be done, he will not give me a refund, whether they overcharged me or not. I called and looked up on the Better Business Bureau, they are not accredited at this time or at the time of my service, as they claim printed on my receipt.

Littleporkie
minneapolis, Minnesota
U.S.A.