Roto-Rooter lied, overcharged, but did not repair -- Clearwater, Florida

My experience with ROTO-ROOTER Services Company in Tampa, FL, did not leave me with the impression that the company was interested in anything but fleecing its customers.

Two of my toilets were not flushing completely. I had augered them myself, but did not determine that there was a clog.

I called the Roto-Rooter number in the Clearwater phone book (727-442-8787) and was told by Duke that there would be a charge of $155 to fix the toilets, and that the warranty would be six months.

A service technician named George Broadley showed up and augered both toilets (as I had done) and told me the warranty would be seven days, instead of the six months promised by Duke. All Mr. Broadley could say is that Duke should not have given me a quote over the phone. I told him that if I had known that was all he was going to do, I would not have scheduled the appointment. Also, when George had completed augering, he simply removed the auger from the toilet, allowing it to drip liquid on my flooring and carpet. He told me that the one toilet needed to be replaced and that he could come back to do that, at additional charge. When he was leaving, he reached out to shake my hand with his, yet he had not washed his hands after handling the wet auger.

Total charge from Roto-Rooter.......... $178.44
Repair Status.......................INCOMPLETE

Since the downstairs toilet still did not function, I contacted another plumber from Bxx Fxxxx  (((REDACTED)))Plumbing, Inc. The technician, Randy, noted that the water line in the tank was low, augered the trap and proceeded to ream out the mineral deposits that had clogged the rinse ring on the bowl. Within minutes, the toilet was flushing like new. He did this to the other toilet, as well. Randy also had a large bucket into which he placed the wet auger. And, he was wearing disposable rubber gloves to do all the work.

Total charge from Bxx Fxxx Plumbing...$96.50
Repair Status.....................COMPLETE AND STILL WORKING

sorry, allowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company your comments on this policy are welcome! CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.