| Author |
Across the Fence:  Can I gripe for a moment?  |
|
|
Vintage Redhead
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Kaylyn
Saint Charles
IL
USA
233 Posts |
 Posted - May 08 2007 : 5:22:30 PM
|
Ugh. Just had a plumber out...*AGAIN*...for the second time in a week. Our sump pump had a minor issue last week to the tune of about a $5000 insurance claim. Like *any* mom needs this nonsense during the month of May, trying to finish up school with the kids and get summer activities nailed down, right? And many plumbling problems I take care of myself. But one thing I *refuse* to mess with is the sump pump. A full sump pit, a new unprimed pump, and electricity? I'll leave that level of hazard to a professional, thank you!
Except one problem with living in *suburban h-e-double hockey sticks* is that there are tons of tradespeople who all essentially badmouth each other. Why did so-and-so do this? Except this time, it really *was* a problem - it has only been 5 days. They also try to upsell their "1-year service plan" packages, but I'm just not buying into this nonsense. I mean, I know few people who have spent $400 on a plumbing package to save $100 then regain the additional $300 on plumbing problems or losses later in the contract year.
Well, ** $800 ** and a new sump pump and piping later, we had a 14-hour malfunction today because the on-site plumber didn't do his job right. He failed to install an "air relief" hole which caused my brand new sump to run for 14 hours. Now, we all make mistakes so I'm actually pretty cool with the mistake. But his plumbing company doesn't want to replace my *5-day old pump* citing its 3-year warranty. Okay...am I missing something here? I've forgiven the fact that the pump alarm awakened me at 5a, beeped every 5 seconds all day long, and I didn't see the whites of a repair plumbers eyes until 7p.
And I'm not worried about this pump failing within the 3 year warranty period. I'm more worried about year 6 or 7 or 8 when I should still be having a completely functional sump pump, but the motor fried *on day five.* I don't spend $800 for a freakin' sump pump with installation that I can get for less than $100 at Home Depot - except that I expect it to last longer than 3 years and have the alarm feature when something goes amiss. This pump ran *without cycling break* 14 hours because *THEIR PLUMBER* failed to drill a 1/8" air relief hole, the piping had an air pocket, and that air pocked would not let the water pass. I'm also lucky that we've been dry, otherwise I would have had a second sump issue requiring insurance involvement in less than a week.
I think they're trying to shaft me for a few reasons: 1) I didn't buy their "service plan" which is not only more $$$ in their coffers but enables me to hold some leverage over their heads; 2) They possibly think I'm stupid; 3) They don't believe some suburban housewife (translation: ** WOMAN **  ) will actually take them to Small Claims Court...and likely win.
ARGH!!! I don't pull out my low-flying broom often. But they don't know who they're dealing with and if need by I'll just climb aboard, grab a flying monkey, and starting rattling heads  ;
Thanks for letting me gripe.  When DH is off traveling, I there is no one here for me to bounce my thoughts to! ~ Kaylyn
~ Kaylyn ~ (Living in Suburbia with a FARMGIRL Heart!)
My Cause: http://nickspavilion.blogspot.com/
My Life: http://vintageredhead.blogspot.com |
|
|
kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
|
|
Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2007 : 7:34:56 PM
|
(((hugs))) and do so hope this will get better! Will be thinking of you and hoping they will fix it without you having to go through more stress and trouble!
Hugz!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
 |
|
|
Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
|
|
Kathie
True Blue Farmgirl
2436 Posts
Kathie
Thonotosassa
Florida
USA
2436 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 09:52:13 AM
|
Poor Baby!!
What a mess.. That is so frustrating!!
I'm so sorry your having to deal with all that crud Kiddo!!!
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
|
|
|
ponyexpress
True Blue Farmgirl
320 Posts
Sandy
Kirkwood
Missouri
USA
320 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 10:04:18 AM
|
Can I add my personal vent to this scenario?? We finally have a contract on the condo we are selling....son used to live there while attending school. The whole process of transacting real estate is a lesson in being nickel and dimed to death!
In addition to SIGNIFICANTLY lowering the price, there are the real estate commission fees. Understood. But also, the neighborhood association requires $175 to process the paperwork (translation: sign a few papers and fax them to the closing company).
The city requires an occupancy inspection, including an inspection by a certified chimney cleaning service within the past two years. The chimney had been cleaned before we moved in, and son never used the fireplace. Still, I had to pay $139 for someone to come out, vacuum a few dusty particles, shine a flashlight up the pre-fab chimney and say "its OK".
Then, the inspector says that the thermal seal is broken on one window and it must be replaced. Another $100. If there was gas service to the unit, it would be another $100 for Laclede Gas to come out and inspect. Once the new person moves in, Laclede Gas would charge yet another $100 to come out and reinspect before transferring service.
The buyers are asking for a homeowners warranty -- another $400.
The home inspection requested by the buyers is on Friday and I swear that if ANYTHING shows up, or if they ask us to change ANYTHING -- I'm going to borrow your low-flying broom, Kaylyn, and sweep the lot of them out the door!
I've learned that it takes as much time and energy to wish as it does to plan.
|
|
|
|
Vintage Redhead
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Kaylyn
Saint Charles
IL
USA
233 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 6:25:52 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by ponyexpress
The home inspection requested by the buyers is on Friday and I swear that if ANYTHING shows up, or if they ask us to change ANYTHING -- I'm going to borrow your low-flying broom, Kaylyn, and sweep the lot of them out the door!
Sandy:
If "...sweeping the lot of them out the door..." doesn't work, we could always beat them over the heads!  That should give them the picture really quick! Is this the same son who lives in the Chicago-area now? Hmmmm...sounds to me like we *both* deserve a trip to The Fine Line!! 
Thanks, ladies - you have *ALL* made me feel much better!!
~ Kaylyn ~ (Living in Suburbia with a FARMGIRL Heart!)
My Cause: http://nickspavilion.blogspot.com/
My Life: http://vintageredhead.blogspot.com |
Edited by - Vintage Redhead on May 09 2007 6:26:57 PM |
|
|
|
Firemama
True Blue Farmgirl
1731 Posts
Amanda
Medical Lake
WA
USA
1731 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 9:08:50 PM
|
I agree stick to your guns, fight em and let em know you arent just some stupid woman!! ( i have had this trouble with car repair! I know how you feel!!)
Mommy to 2
Your FreckleFaced Farm Girl!!
Help when you can, Pray when you can't. |
|
|
|
Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 9:20:53 PM
|
Happens all the time. The "Good Old Boy" Network is alive and well. They think women are stupid and suckers. I've been dealing with men trying to buy a truck this past week, and I am fed up. They think that I don't have a brain in my head and if I don't buy it now, someone else will get the good deal....well, la-tee-da.....lots of fish in the ocean , so don't little lady me again.
Oooooo.........Low flying brooms all over the place. Go get those ding-dang plumbers!!!! And boot the realestate folks OUT!! ARGH!!!!
G
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
http://auntgeorge.wordpress.com/
My new apron's only blog!
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
|
|
|
goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - May 10 2007 : 02:07:02 AM
|
Add to the plumbers and real estate folks, trucking companies. They think they have to talk to hubby about anything, I just won't do. One dispatcher asked me if I could think (I 'let' my hubby 'think' he runs the show and defer to him on a lot of stuff just to keep him thinking he's uber important...which he is to me!) and I told him I prob had a higher IQ than anyone in the bldg...probably not true on my part but my IQ is up there, not down where his is!! But my hubby walks in the room and the dispatchers attitude changes in a NY minute. If we have a complaint, hubby does a better job at it than I do as he's a lot more friendly than I am.
However, I was a solo driver for a long time, plus being former military and a cowgirl to boot and do know how to stand my ground with them. I just don't care anymore whether they 'like' me or not. I figger, just say it or stand my ground and let the chips fall where they may and so the broomstick is in the closet at all times, just primed for a run!!
Winona :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff...
http://goneridingagain.bravehost.com |
|
|
| |
Across the Fence: Can I gripe for a moment? |
|
Can I gripe for a moment?
