Roto Rooter ripoff w/substandard equipment Stroudsburg Pennsylvania

No hot water Friday night. Emergency call to Roto Rooter. No response. Emergency call to builder putting on an extension, 15 minutes later plumber and electrican at my door. Water heater sprouting water from the top flooding my crawl space, they turn off water. Charge: $225.

Call Roter Rooter next day. Apologetic, answering service took my number incorrectly. (Don't Roter Rooter have a phone book?) They would try and get me some money for what I expended. Told them I did not change the water heater as after 11 months I figured it was still under warranty. They sent 2 service men with a new water heater and charged me $125 for service. Service man showed me the defective part.

I complained, I should not have to pay service fee. The same person that mentioned getting me money for my expenses now changed his tune and was rude. He did not know when he said that, that I had not replaced the heater, I got a free heater, I must expect to pay to have it installed, would not help with my prior night's bill or anticipated high water bill, not their problem.

A month or two prior to the installation of the water heater last year, they had installed a sump pump. At time of installation, the sump pump blew and the service guy had to go get a new one. My contractor told me he had to replace that sump pump (13 months later) as it had blown and the hose was ripped.

I don't think I should have had to pay a service fee, and I believe Roto Rooter should reimburse me the expenses I incurred.

And, I question - is this Roto Rooter using substandard or refurbished equipment and charging the unsuspecting consumer high prices?

Naomi
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.