I called Jim Meyers plumbing to fix my 3 handle American Standard hot/ cold faucet handles in my bathroom tub. The faucet handles rotated 360 degrees and the water only shutoff when the handles were in the horizontal position. Additionally, the transfer valve was leaking from the middle shower handle. The first plumber that was sent to repair the faucets could not fix this issue. His solution was to adjust the hot/cold handles vertically (downward), so it was easier to position the handles in an off position...they still rotated 360 degrees. He could not remove the center shower handle because he did not bring Allen wrenches, fortunately I had them. Once the handle was removed, he indicated he did not have the transfer valve to make the repair. I needed this repair completed within 3 days, so I asked if they had this part at the shop. He said they did not, although he would check with the owner. I asked if he could just order the part and have it overnighted. He said it would take 3-5 days to get the part and it would be quicker if I ordered it. He said once the part was in, it would take a 1/2 hour to install. I asked if he could remove the transfer valve, so I could take it Home Depot or a Plumbing Supply Store to get a replacement. He said he did not have the tool to remove. I did convey to the dispatch staff that I had an American Standard faucet when I initially made the service call. He prepared the bill for 2 hours at $199.85.
Since I did not hear back from the plumber regarding the transfer valve, I ordered it from Amazon.
Plumber II was prepared. He fixed the issue with the faucets so they actually stopped and did not rotate 360 degrees. For the center shower handle valve, the part I ordered from Amazon was stripped, however the plumber did have the part on his truck and he quickly repaired it. Plumber II was very nice and said he would talk to the owner regarding the work of Plumber 1 - he agreed with me that the work was subpar. He said the owner would 'make things right'. Charge for the second service $233.05.
I did not receive a call from the owner, so I called...twice. Subsequently, the owner's wife called to discuss. After going over the work performed, I said I did not feel the charge was right since the first plumber really did not do anything other than remove the center shower handle (it was stripped, he sawzalled it off). She first stated that she could not provide a refund for the work performed because they had to charge for the time spent trying to repair the issue. I asked her if charging $432 was fair. After further discussion, she said she would refund one of the travel charges ($34.95) and that was the best she could do.
I called a plumber for this simple repair because I wanted the job to be performed correctly - this is a rental property and did not want further issues. In hindsight I should have called a handyman, they probably would have at least brought tools...live and learn I guess.