WINELCO INC

We called Winelco in early January when we noticed that the septic/aeration system control panel light was on. Resetting the system using the reset button did not work. We had this happen once before which was caused by a bad pump. We had lost the name of the previous repair company so we called Winelco as they had good ratings on Angie's list. A technician came out and looked at our system and told my wife we needed a different brand pump and new riser. My wife said he was very nice and professional and she agreed to have him start on the repairs. The fellow removed the pump and dug up the riser. A service representative called me the next day to tell me what I needed and when I asked about why it needed a different brand pump he did not have any explanation. He could not tell me why so he told me he would find out. The following day passed with no call. I called the service rep. back and he openly complained about the technician not calling me. The service rep. then told me he would absolutely have an answer for me and call me by the next day. Well, no answer came the following day (a Friday) and I had to leave a message on their answering machine. A supervisor finally called me back on Monday and later that day the technician called me to give me an explanation. I got a final estimate and agreed to the work. They had to order a rebuilt pump and a new riser (apparently the one I had was too short). I waited a couple of weeks and heard nothing about when the pump would arrive. I called the company and they told me it would be soon and the pump arrived about a week later. The technician came back to install the unit and he completed the work. When I got home I found that the back yard was still dug up which is understandable considering the freezing conditions. However, they left the old concrete riser just laying there. My wife told me that the technician said it was too heavy for him to remove even though the new one they installed was bigger. The bottom line is that I believe this company probably has good and friendly technicians but the company lacks a sense of urgency in communications and tracking project duration. I suspect that their technicians are overscheduled. I felt that the service representative complaining about the technician was unprofessional. The service representative should have taken responsibility for following up and stayed good to his word on promising to call back. Once I finally got to speak with the technician directly I was able to get my questions answered. My other complaint is that they should clean up after themselves when they leave... remove the old riser, put the leech field tool away and don't leave a big pile of dirt where they dug (even if they have to come back on a warmer day). The last time I had the pump replaced I recall it taking about a week but this time it was about 4 weeks.

We were really happy with the professional and honest workmanship. The serviceman showed up on time, did the required work, and then, told us we had a 2nd compartment in our septic system that even we were unaware of at the time. We've had our septic system cleaned by several other companies throughout past years; and this company is far and away the best we've used!

The work went very well. They showed up exactly on time. The person that did the work was very friendly and professional. He was very willing to answer all my questions. He did the work in a very timely manner. I was very pleased with the quality of their work and their professionalism.

Service is always excellent. They complete the service and if not at home leave details to let you know they were there and any potential problems. No problems were found on this visit.

Went well. He helped me out with another problem I had that I was unaware of at the time.

This is not the first time I have used Winelco. I have had a service contract for my septic system for years. They also do plumbing. About a year ago, I called them for my sump pump in the basement. They checked it, and did a minor repair. On Saturday, I checked it and it was not running. They had showed me how to repair it myself on the previous visit and I tried to get it running, but the motor had failed. I called them and left a message. On Monday morning, they called me back. They already had all the pump information in their computer from the previous visit and sent a plumber to my house immediately. He arrived with everything that he needed to replace my pump, but he inspected it first to confirm my diagnosis, and to see if he could just repair the old motor. When he couldn't, he promptly replaced it. He was very courteous, informative, and didn't waste my time. I would recommend them to anyone.

I've had Winelco come out several times and was always satisfied. This time I was not. My wife observed the technician open the sewer lid, look inside, walk away and then look inside. He called me and said that I needed a new aeration hose and aerator pipe(s.) The cost was about 180-200 dollars. I looked at the system myself and found that the pipe had come loose from the hose and the hose was only about two inches under the water line, making it look like the aeration system was working. Had the tech bothered to look even SOMEWHAT carefully at the hose, he would have found that it was disconnected. I took a ladder down the well and reconnected the pipe to the hose. Total cost of materials: $0. Cost to have Winelco quote me for parts I didn't need: $60.

Winelco provides excellent service. They are always courteous and inform us of problems without overburdening us with unneeded repairs.

On Saturday before Labor Day I discovered my septic system's motor wasn't running. I called Winelco who has 24 hr. emergency service. Their answering machine gave a phone number to page a technician. I paged and he called back within five minutes. He explained that due to the type of my system the repair could wait until Tues, saving me the higher weekend charge. They repaired the motor (new vanes, new bearings, brushes, plugs) for $123 plus a service call which they waived since I signed up for their annual service contract ($120/year for three visits to make sure it's working properly and clean filter). They arrived on time, returned calls as promised, and did a really good job explaining what was wrong, how my system works, and instructions on what I should do to keep the system as healthy as possible. Everyone I talked to was polite and professional. They also have 24 hour emergency service (although that's extra of course), which not all septic companies offer.

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Everything was great. The technician arrived on time answered all questions promptly and professionally.

WINELCO HAS BEEN GREAT AT REGULARLY COMING OUT TO INSPECT OUR SEPTIC SYSTEM. THEY HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY HELPFUL WHEN OUR 3-YEAR-OLD HAS FLUSHED VARIOUS OBJECTS DOWN THE TOILET! WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A CONTRACT WITH THEM.

WINELCO DID A VERY NICE JOB FOR US. DOMINICK (TONY) WAS IN CHARGE OF OUR WORK AND ONCE THEY GOT STARTED HE WAS THERE EVERYDAY WORKING UNTIL THE JOB WAS COMPLETED. HE WAS ABLE TO ASSIST WITH A FEW EXTRA REQUESTS WE HAD AND DID A VERY NICE JOB GRADING THE FRONT AND BACK YARD WHEN EVERYTHING WAS FINISHED. THIS IS A QUALITY COMPANY AND THEY WERE FAR BELOW SEVERAL OTHER BIDS WE WERE GIVEN FROM COMPETITORS.

THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN, TONY MOUNCE, WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL. I WANTED TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT MY SEPTIC SYSTEM AND HE WAS VERY PATIENT AND THOROUGH. HE KNEW THE HISTORY OF MY SYSTEM AND THE PROBLEMS THE PREVIOUS HOME OWNERS HAD WITH IT. HE DID SOME EXTRA THINGS ON MY JOB THAT THEY DID NOT CHARGE ME FOR. I ALSO APPRECIATED HIS EXTRA CARE TO COVER THE TRENCHES TO PREVENT MY CATS FROM GETTING TOO CURIOUS OR EVEN WORSE, TRAPPED IN THE TRENCH. I WAS SO IMPRESSED BY THEM I SIGNED THEIR ONE YEAR SERVICE AGREEMENT. IN THE SPRING TONY'S COMING BACK TO GRADE THE AREAS WHERE HE DUG AND ADD TOP SOIL TO WHERE THERE WAS TIRE DAMAGE TO THE LAWN.

THEY DID NOT FOLLOW-UP AS COMMUNICATED ON INITIAL CALL. WHEN WE CALLED BACK, THEY SAID THEY WERE VERY BUSY AND WOULD ONLY COME OUT TO VIEW OUR REPAIRS FOR A MIN. OF $2000. THEY ESTIMATED REPAIRS TO COST AT LEAST $6000 WITHOUT EVER VIEWING OUR PROJECT IN PERSON. THE ESTIMATES WERE WELL ABOVE ''MARKET'' AND CLEARLY DESIGNED TO EITHER DISCOURAGE US OR TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MARKET DEMAND FOR THEIR SERVICES. THE SERVICE TECH ON THE PHONE WAS VERY UNPROFESSIONAL AND RUDE.