I really hate to be writing this terrible review, but I would hate for someone to actually fall for their scam. I'm beyond infuriated while I'm writing this.
I recently got a new washer and the water started back flowing as soon as it started draining. Like everything else, I run to Yelp for help!
I sent out a very detailed email with pictures with my problem to several plumbers on Yelp (By accident actually. I only meant to send out one, but Yelp auto selected a bunch!) and Clean Out replied immediately.
First of all, I didn't notice their advertised $49 drain clean out deal when I sent my request. When they responded, I was told it was going to be $98 with a camera inspection down the pipe. I asked why the discrepancy, I was told the service goes anywhere from $49-$98. Whatever, I wasn't going to argue. They were able to come the next day (on a Sunday), which was great!
Two very nice boys showed up on Sunday a few minutes later than the allotted time I was told. The boys came in without any tools and without even inspecting anything, proceeded to explain to me how the drain works and why my drain is clogged. They informed me that there's no use for them trying to camera inspect or even snake the drain because it won't work and since they are so sure it won't work, they would hate for me to have to pay for a service that didn't work. They can't snake the drain because the p-trap is in the way and they wouldn't be able to get past it (dafuq???!!!). Sounds fair, right?
He then provided me with a couple options:
1) I can have someone tear down the wall and clean the pipe that way...but oh, how inconvenient that would be because I would have to then hire someone to patch the wall, etc, etc.... or
2) They have this very special machine, only about 4 other plumbers have this magical machine called a Picote Maxi Miller that can easily go past that p-trap (that apparently is so unheard of in a typical drain?) and clean out the grease that's stuck in those pipes. This must be a very special machine scattered with magical fairy gold dust. Other plumbers would charge me $1500+ for the service, but they will only charge me one easy payment of $1400. What.a.steal!
How stupid do I look? I may be pretty clueless when it comes to plumbing, but you know, there's these even more magical mythical things called GOOGLE and YOUTUBE.
These boys were very nice and polite and I appreciate them working on a Sunday. I'm definitely not bad mouthing these boys, because really...I'm sure they were just being told what to do. But where are the real plumbers??? They didn't even inspect anything, just eye balled that drain and told me it could not be done and my only option was this $1400 machine!!! I call them boys because I'm pretty sure my cat is older than them! But I digress, age ain't nuthin but a number. I wish them the best of luck and hope they become successful plumbers when they grow up.
C O N C L U S I O N:
I called several other plumbers, the one I finally chose, FIXED IT WITHIN 15 MINUTES BY SNAKING THAT PIPE.
I'm sure the owner will respond to this review. But just save it. You can't possibly dig yourself out of this one.
E D I T:
MY RESPONSE TO THE OWNER:
In my original message, I said I tried to snake it MYSELF. Obviously, I don't have the professional tools plumbers have. I never said I called another plumber. If I did that, I wouldn't have had this problem with your company. I never said our line was corroded. YOUR company told me that without even inspecting anything.
Option 1: This was not clear to me whatsoever. Which is fine, I did not mind if it was 49 or 98. You specifically said $98 with camera inspection. There was no mention about not being able to use a camera. It doesn't matter anyway because no inspection was done other than a quick glance at my drain which I attached photos of in my message.
Option 2: This was absolutely not explained to me as an option.
Option 3: This absolutely would not have been the long term final solution. For $1400, I can replace all the pipes that's behind that wall! THAT would then be the real solution if we're going by your logic and would have cost me a lot less!
Lastly, there was no charge for your service because you DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. You could have told me your solution through email and moved on. It was your choice to come here to up-sell. There was absolutely no point for your company to come here other than trying to up-sell me straight from the get-go.
Your goal is to provide long term solutions... Maybe your goal should be HONEST to your customers. I would believe you if you actually gave me the option have that drain snaked and not tell me it was an impossible task and it wouldn't fix anything. There was no misunderstanding or confusion here.