Fred's Plumbing Service

It truly pains me to write this bad review. We had used Fred's Plumbing a few times for various things and been satisfied. However, when we had a recent water leak which seriously damaged the basement we discovered otherwise. The real reason for this review is Fred's Plumbing unresponsive and unprofessional behavior and lack of service.

After making a simple repair which seems to have gotten air into the line or perhaps just an incidental problem with the toilet repaired (I really don't know and never cared about how it happened) the toilet was making a high-pitched, shrill steam-whistle sound that wouldn't stop. When we called back and got their answering machine, I was unable to set an appointment before going out of town the following day. I never heard back until picking up a message on my machine about 10 days later when returning home and stating Fred had come for our appointment and no one was home, Michelle (Fred's wife and secretary) sounded annoyed. The problem is we never had an appointment, we never actually spoke this time (follow-up request to original visit). She put down an appointment for the day and time I said, in my message on their machine, I would be leaving out of time and to please try to call me before then. Upon getting her message, I left a message for them explaining this and apologizing if I had somehow created any confusion (I cant imagine how but I liked them and valued their previous service). They have never called back or returned any of our calls and messages to them. We find this extremely rude, unprofessional, and certainly completely uncalled for. If the mishap had been our fault, it wouldn't matter as it was a simple mishap. They live (work out of their apartment) 3 minutes away, while I really don't think this was our error, that's all it was and it probably wasn't a huge inconvenience given this fact.

In retrospect, as a multiple-repeat, loyal customer it would have been nice for Fred to make the 3 minute drive to our home from his with water leaking into our basement from the upstairs. However, that was not to be. While it was well before 5:00, Michelle (Fred's wife and secretary) stated he was on another job which I completely understood. But again, they live 3 minutes away and I'm sure he could have come later that day or evening but as their info on Angie's List indicate they are only open to 5:00 and they DO NOT OFFER EMERGENCY SERVICE -- understood. And as Fred has mentioned to me in casual conversation, he likes to be home for dinner by 5:00 -- certainly his prerogative. But again, only in retrospect, and after what happened next, do I think this was rather shabby and not how I would have conducted myself or my business.

I am really very disappointed and upset by this episode. I thought this was a nice young couple trying to make a go of a new business venture which obviously requires a minimum of professionalism, courtesy, and fairness.

They are likeable people. He does a good job. The prices were reasonable. They react quickly and it don't think I can say anything bad about them.