Lately I have abstained from writing one star reviews. I have had a few experiences with various companies that have merited them, but in the best interest of Karma I have not done so.
Until I noticed something last night that made it important for me to make sure you know what you are getting into with Roto-Rooter. Now, I know that it is an umbrella that hires independent contractors, but this experience was bad on all accounts including the call center which is the company itself.
Let me start... Monday June 17, after my husband took his morning shower for work, I was doing laundry and he came in to ask if I had noticed the water flooding out of the 2nd bathroom. I had not and realized that the bathroom and dining room were 1 of sewage. After spending over 2 hours cleaning this up, I ran to ACE in hopes that it was just a clog (wishful thinking). I spent the morning trying to fix this and had called a plumber, got his direct VM and who was not calling back.
At 2PM I finally called this company and was told someone would be out by or before 4:30. My daughter and I had been going to the 7Eleven down the street to the bathroom since ours were out of service. So the time frame worked for me, I finally would get someone out and fix this problem.
By 5:00 no one had arrived, and no one had called (I had been told I would get a phone call 1/2 hour before arrival). I called RR and was on hold for over ten minutes (I know because my cell phone has a counter) and had to listen to the god awful song and RR commercial the whole time. Someone told me they would check, that they were independent contractors, etc. Finally I was told that by 6:30 he would be there because of a backup. Fine. I understand these things can be complicated.
6:30, no call, no plumber, a frustrated child who was tired of having to go to 7Eleven. A frustrated me that couldn't understand the lack of follow through. I call again. I get put on hold for another 10 minutes and finally am told that he would be there between 7:30 and 8PM!!!!!! This is a full THREE hours after the original 4:30 time!! I had at this point NO OTHER option and was quite angry because if I had been told this from the beginning I would have JUST GONE OUT for the afternoon. If someone had bothered to call me to inform me of the delays, it would have given me the opportunity to figure out something and would have been good follow through.
He arrived at 7:45. I was beaten down at this point, showed him the problem and then we spent the next hour trying to find the clean out or whatever you call it. I just moved into this house a week prior, there are overgrown plants everywhere, so finally we found something by the A/C unit which is behind a wooden fence.
It wasn't the right one. It was drizzling, we came in and let him finish. Finally he said he managed to get it done, proceeded to show us the tool full of roots and told us that he couldn't give us any warranty b/c it was roots and not just a blockage, and tried to set up a time for his buddy with a camera to come (for about $400) and show us that the pipes were completely damaged and needed to be replaced. Uh, no thank you, we will figure it out.
My hubby noticed outside that the pipes to the outdoor sink had been broken by him. The RR guy told us to get the parts and he would fix it for free. What?? WTF? HE BROKE THEM. By now it is 10:45, we are exhausted, fine, we will get the parts w/e. So I ask about helping prevent root growth (the guy at ACE had shown me a product that helps eliminate it from happening again $12.95). RR guy said he left me a jug of something already. I was thinking he was so kind until I saw the $50 something charge on the bill for it!!
So yesterday we go into the A/C unit and noticed something that blew our mind. To fix the problem he had cut open some pipes in that area there, AND LEFT THEM LIKE THAT. Does this compute? He severed my pipes and left them open to the elements!! Then he charged us $400? Aside from ruining my outdoor sink? RR has no quality control over their independent servicemen. This is beyond reprehensible.
Super late, no follow through, damaged our pipes and sink, overcharged for some liquid root killer.
Bad Business all around.