Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

BEWARE!!! Ben Franklin Plumbing appears to be a predatory service provider. I will include photos of documents on boards that allow me to do so. My parents, both elderly, called Ben Franklin in Sarasota to replace a natural gas water heater. They were verbally quoted $1,400.00 for the work. That price makes sense given that the REEM water heater that they installed retails for $640.00 (I assume they get these for less – wholesale – model number in pics). If you add the industry standard 20% mark up on parts that would bring the total parts cost to $768.00. They said the installation took four hours. I will give them the benefit of the doubt even though this was a like-for-like replacement in that the electrical, plumbing and ventilation were already in place, and it should have taken about half that time. They charged by parent’s credit card a total of $2,951.00 with absolutely no breakdown of these charges (pictures attached). When you back out the parts, that puts their hourly labor rate at $545.75. According to HomeAdviser, the average hourly rate for plumbers in Sarasota, Florida is between $45 to $200 per hour. These guys are more than double the high end of the scale. According to ProMatch the average cost to install a natural gas water heater in Sarasota is $1,134.98. That is about a third of what these guys charged. When I confronted them with these figures, they said that they have a flat installation rate regardless of how long it takes. That practice is lazy at best and extremely deceiving at worst. They lure elderly customers with a verbal quote then have them digitally sign an invoice with a different number, which they do not leave behind (hardcopy). They later email a copy. It was not until my father checked his bank account online that he discovered this. I phoned the company as my father is turning ninety this year and is hard of hearing. They not only refused to itemize the section of the bill where most of the charges resided (see attached photos: section R04-3) they refused to offer a fair adjustment. When I told them they could get their water heater as I was going to have a fair plumber do the installation (another Fort Myers plumber quoted the job for me at $1,495.00) they first said they would have to charge us to get their equipment. Once I informed them that we would dispute both charges, they said they would not come out and proceed to hang up on me. Feel free to check out all my figures for yourself before you do any business with this outfit.

Perry came in on time and did an outstanding job replacing my water heater. He was on time, very nice to talk with. He cleaned up the job was completed. I would definitely hire him again.

They were way out of line on the price.

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Kudos to Perry.  He was always on time and loved my dog Foxy.

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Everyone's worse nightmare. We used BENJAMIN Franklin due to the name. Being new to the area we had used them in Prosper, TX and thought we were getting the same level of service. Huge mistake! A Mr. Sal Katz arrived on time, which is why they got a C for punctuality (you have to read the rest) Checked everything I needed done & explained to me that the faucet I bought for the kitchen was junk. Talked me into a better one, called the Ferguson appliance store & ordered my new faucet. He then explained he would be back in 45-50minutes with the new faucet. Fine! Next he let me know the instant hot water was broken & I would need a new one along with a new faucet. This is where it gets interesting! He told me for $200 he could help me out because this was going to be expensive. It all happened so fast, like I was dealing with a used car salesman. I agreed! He also continued to tell me that he needed to get a tool from Benjamin Franklin shop to fix the sinks. When he came back he installed the new faucet, along with a soap dispenser which I did not ask for. After he was done he called Ferguson & got me on the phone to give them my credit card for a new hot water dispenser & faucet. Then he asked for his $200, I was hesitant but went ahead. He informed me he would be back on Wednesday to install the new devised, faucet & fix the sinks. He then called 5 minutes later to let me know when Carolyn called to reschedule that everything got taken care of. I knew here I was in trouble, but being alone, my husband was out of town, I was a little afraid. WEDNESDAY came & went, no Sal! I called him, had his number since he called my cell, left a message. I picked my husband up at the airport & told him everything on Wednesday late evening. Sal called Thursday, from Ferguson & told me the faucet was wrong and I was going to need a new faucet. So he gave me the Sales associate who took my credit card number. He informed me he was going to credit the wrong one & charge me for the new one. I was smart enough to ask him for all the invoices, and he said he would send them with Sal. He had the part sent directly to our address and told me to call Sal when it arrived for installation. Parts all arrived Friday morning and I gave Sal a call. My husband had a doctors appointment and had to leave at 10:40AM. Sal showed up around 11AM not in his BENJAMIN Franklin truck. When I asked why, he explained it was in the shop (which was later confirmed with Carolyn) I then asked why he was in plain clothes, he said because Perry didn't have any work for him today other than here. He installed the hot water dispenser & faucet, then moved to the master bath. When I went to check on him in the master bath he had a shop vac running. It was loud & smelt awful! I now know that was to get me out of the room. In my bathroom , 3rd top shelf in the cabinet are 2 boxes, hidden behind vitamins, cold meds & ear oils/cleaners. He had helped himself to a $45,000 custom made president Rolex, a $20,000 rose gold canary & white diamond anniversary band and 2 estate antique aquamarine rings valued at around $600-1000.00. But I didn't know this yet. When finished he showed me how the hot water dispenser was working and then boldly asked for $425.00. I said what was the $200.00 for, he said it was a deposit for his time & running around, to pay for the bathroom tool & appliances. I asked for all the receipts and started to argue, but something told me not to. I had money to pay for other work being done this weekend & luckily I had the money. Sal took it & left. When my husband came back from the Dr. I explained everything to him. Being so late we decided to call Carolyn on Monday to explain what happened. On Saturday Sal called me to inform me he was fired Friday evening & that this was his personal number if I needed a plumber. Creeped me out! Perry Sisson, the owner, couldn't come see us because he was out making a living on Monday. Carolyn also warned my husband Perry was Hot Headed! Carolyn arrived at our home around 2PM on Monday & when we explained everything she offered us $200.00. At this time we only knew the watch was missing. Carolyn also let us know that another lady had come forward and that Sal was fired Friday evening. She also confirmed the Benjamin Franklin truck had been in the shop since Tuesday. Carolyn also informed us that Salvatore Phillip KATZ had been arrested for theft at Walmart on March, 19th. I looked it up and he had been arrested for LARCENY (Retail theft over $300) but what really stuck out is that this is his 2nd offense according to LEE COUNTY. Sal was arrested in 2008 & 2011 for fraud & larceny, burglary of a dwelling/occup.covey & traffic in stolen property. He had served 3 years in Prison for these charges. Either no background check was done or Carolyn Graves & Perry Sisson let a known felony criminal into our home, & other people's homes for 4 months. On Tuesday when my husband came home from Physical Therapy and checked the mail, in the back was my watch. He immediately checked our video cameras. I called him & asked where my rings were. Long story short we explained to him about the cameras, duh!, he sold my $20,000.00 anniversary ring to his drug dealer Jersey for $100.00, pawned my 2 aquamarine rings at Bay Shore Pawn Gun & Gold in North Fort Myers for $60.00. But the pawn shop wouldn't take my watch or anniversary ring. He put the watch in the mailbox to make things right. Your kidding?!? Through some fancy detective work & threats my husband was able to get the ring back. The other 2 rings we have to either get a court order & file a police report & go to the Pawn shop with a detective to get our rings back. Or wait 30 days and pay $60.00. We reported this to BENJAMIN Franklin corporate & although it is stated on their website & code of ethics & UWIN guarantee, that BENJAMIN Franklin corporate assumes no responsibility for their FRANCHISEE's which was emailed to us by Rick Cardinale of BENJAMIN Franklin. They only perform random audits nationally, as stated by Rick Cardinale on the phone March 30th. I hope that our story will help everyone in the area by being informed and not letting this happen to them. I still live in fear!

great experience with a plumber

Great communications, on time, quick install.  What more can one ask of a service provider!

Acceptably. The replacement is still working properly.

They completed the job. I gave them a C because I was required to give them a grade. As I have no experience to compare it too, they received what is considered an average grade. I would use again after comparing their cost and reviews to others if they were the most competitive.

It was a Big Deal purchase. It wasn't so good. I ended up having to get a local plumber. The guys were kind of unprepared when they showed up. I supplied my own parts and they weren't sure what they were getting into. It was kind of an odd interaction. The girl that had taken the order just got my name, address and booked an appointment. The guys showed up and said, "Well, we don't have parts for that" and I said, "Well, I got some parts here". After he surveyed everything, he said, "I could use your parts" and then it ended up costing me just a little bit more and for what I got, it was kind of a break-fix solution. I had to have all the faucets replaced six months later. It basically bought me a six-month window and I had to get everything replaced again. They might be good for project stuff but repair things, they were a little unprepared for that. The guy that came out was very nice but they were very unprepared.

Terrible attitude. Said I was the last customer that we would service with Angies List.

     VERY EXPENSIVE!!!!!          Complained about everything.

I was to get $200.00 of plumbing for $99.00,   To replace 1 drain trim from 1 bathtub.  It cost me $159.00

I wanted 2 tub trims done, but it would have cost me an additional $348.00.     

The only thing positive, was he was on time.     I would never never  use this plumber again.

They arrived as promised and provided options to the job I requested. The serviceman suggested replacing both the valve and the adjacent spigot with upgraded piping, I agreed. The process took about 45 minutes and the result was a quality product which should last. Even with the "Angies"deal it was around $400, which I thought was pricey but I agreed to the job before the work was done so they earned it.

I bought the $99 special. He arrived and said it would cost and additional $69.00  TO REPLACE A FILL VALVE. 
These guys are rip off artists!

This was an outdoor job, It was a rainy day in Fort Myers, but they kept in touch with us in hopes that the rain would stop in our area long enough for them to complete the job. It did and they were on the site and done very quickly.

I had a problem with a slow drain in the kitchen and needed some other minor work.  I purchased the deal for $200 worth of plumbing work for $99.  Unfortunately, the company does not really explain what that means when you purchase.
I thought I would have a plumber available for a period of time to work on the minor things (shower head, faucet)  I was expecting the kitchen drain was to be more.  Unfortunately, each little "job" is treated individually and is charged a minimum amount. So, where changing the shower head and controller may only take 30 min, they are considered two jobs costing over $100 EACH.  I guess I've learned to ask questions before buying or assuming.
The repair of the kitchen drain took awhile and they had to approach it from the roof of the house.  Eventually, it was opened and the drain flowed.
I wrote that I would use this provider in the future, but only because I now know what to expect with pricing.  So I will carefully evaluate whether to use them again depending on my needs.
The plumber was professional.  But he also seemed to push purchasing products and service plans a bit too much, which made me a bit leery.  But there is a limited time guarantee on the work they do.

Great experience. Changed bib on a broken off pipe which was impossible to fix. Great work and great company.

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They were good professionally.  They explained everything and come back if I have a problem.  They just reassured me that they are on a level.  I used them twice and I will use them again.

Perry was able to resolve and replace the hose bib. They are very professional & friendly. I would definitely use again.

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