I had two slow moving drains and a leak under a sink. These guys were getting rave reviews on Nextdoor in the neighborhood and offered free estimates. So I had a guy come out. He was in a clean, neat uniform and put little shoe covers on his shiny work boots before he--and his guest? entered my home. Once across the threshold, Uniform (U) and Plus One(PO) embarked on a lively and private discussion, in Spanish. To their credit, when I interrupted them to attempt to discuss my sole purpose for having them over, they were rather gracious.
I pointed out a sink, no one checks the drainage, conversation resumes.
Second sink, remains dry, barely a pause in their dialogue.
I interrupt a third time, pointing to the spot on the floor where water had been pool. Again, I am only just acknowledged, by them, in my own home. U turns to PO and continues his conversation. Then he shines a light under the sink, nattering away the whole time.
Finally, U turns to me and says:
1) AFTER he cleans the drains for $250.00, he will tell me what it will cost to fix the leak.
2) He can't tell me what it will cost to fix the leak because he can't run water in the pipes to see where the leak is coming from, AND he CAN'T run water in the pipes, if he's going to snake the drain--for $250.00.
3) However, he could tell me that the leak WAS coming from the RUSTED pipe under the sink.
4) Basically, (and he gestured in a bowing sweep of both hands, to encompass the entire laundry area) the whole faucet needs to be replaced.
5) The faucet, I am informed when I asked What's wrong with the faucet? (He stared at me blankly for a moment) before explaining that the faucet had to go, too, because it's connected to that rusty pipe under the sink. And the sink had to be replaced, because that's the way it's done.
So, he KNOWS that: the faucet (that's not connected to the rusty pipe) has to be removed and replaced; the sink (that is an antique and in perfect condition) has to be removed and replaced because it just does; AND; the rusty pipe (which is chrome-plated brass, which can't rust) under the sink also has to be replaced because that's where the leak is--but if I don't give him $250.00 to snake the line, he can't give me a free estimate for replacing EVERYTHING that he KNOWS must be replaced.-- ?? How is that possible?
So, I thanked him for his time and showed him out the side door. He looked shocked. He said, I thought I was going to clean your drains. I said, I'm sure you did. And he didn't seemed convinced that he was leaving, as I kept walking. Then he turns to PO, again, dismissing my existence and resumes their discussion. PO, then bolts off to the truck. So, when you are ready, you ask for me. he instructs. And, your name is? I asked. He ignores me. It says Manny on his shirt. So, as I am slowly getting him out the side gate, I suggest that he might be Manny. This seems to annoy him. He shoots me a look with a hand gesture, like pushing something down in front of him. Just wait. He points at PO. He's get a card. (He has to check his card to answer me? Yikes!) He hollers something in Spanish to PO and PO comes hustling back with a card in his hand and hands it to U. Then, U hands it to me. I look at the card. So, are you Manny? I asked. Yes. He says, like I'm slow.
So, I did get Dan Boe, from Bell Plumbing to come snake my drain. He didn't find any rust on my chrome plated, brass pipe. He saw no reason to replace my antique faucet. However, and this is wild, he turned the water on to see where the leak was--before he snaked the drain so that he could give me a FREE estimate on ALL the work! And, here's the irony, the only thing that was leaking was the perfectly good sink that Manny wanted to replace--just because.