George F.
02/12/2021 12:00:00 SA
On a Wednesday I contacted Home Depot for a water heater replacement and was referred to their local installer, Perez Enterprizes. I was contacted and provided the requested information during the phone consultation, including taking measurements of the old unit and the access door in the 2nd floor dormer of one of the bedrooms. I offered to provide pictures but was declined.
The specialist suggested some new units that were available at a Home Depot store in town that could be purchased in order to save on pickup/delivery charges. After the consultation, I purchased one of the recommended units and brought it to my home.
I called to confirm the scheduling of the installation for the next day and when asked I provided the SKU number for the new unit. We went over the fees and charges and I then paid for the agreed upon total charges for the services and installation; I was not provided a receipt.
I arranged to take off from work to be home during the scheduled installation window and made sure routes were clear for access and free from obstruction.
On Thursday, the technicians arrived at 12:52pm, quickly assessed the old unit and went back out to their truck at 12:57pm without saying anything to me. I assumed they were getting their tools/supplies but they came back in at 1:05pm advising that the installation would have to be rescheduled, there would be significant additional charges as the dormer was considered an attic space, parts were required for the unit I purchased, and that someone from the office would be calling me. They promptly left at 1:08pm.
After waiting to be contacted, I called at 2:30pm, 4pm, and 5pm and each time was assured that a specialist would be calling me before closing at 6pm. I again called at 5:45pm and was told that someone would call me first thing the following morning. I asked if the installation would occur on Friday but they could not give me an answer or confirm anything.
Nearly 9am on Friday morning, someone called and said the added charges would be about an additional $800 on top of what I had already paid in full and that the install would have to wait until Monday. Apparently, there were some missteps during the consultation that were not captured correctly by the specialist. I was forthcoming in providing all the information requested, even offered to send pictures, but now I'm being made to feel like I was being deceptive. I could not believe that no fault on my end would result in adding $800, delay the installation, and that the customer is expected to absorb all the losses. I was not looking for anything free here, but I have already lost work time, paid up front, and transported a new unit. This could have been avoided if discussed during the consult. To increase the insult, I will have to take more time off from work, pay more money, and have the family endure more days without hot water.
I called Home Depot and cancelled everything and requested refunds. I expected better and a more reasonable experience.