As some of you may know, my husband and I recently purchased our first house. Not revealed during the inspection was the water problem in our basement.
After the horrible rainfall that tore through Lake County this past week, we quickly discovered that what we thought was a minor dampness issue has rapidly evolved into a water problem that has mold growing on our things. Given that I am allergic to mold, this is a problem of immense proportions.
My mother sent me a link a while back that showed an offer on the Ohio State Waterproofing website. This offer was a contest wherein you could win a free waterproofing of your basement. I entered, and for the record, I cannot recall if I checked the box that stated "I would like further information". I usually do not when entering online contests, but I cannot recall with this instance.
Suffice it to say, I had forgotten about that entry. A week and a half ago, I was getting phone calls, no voicemails left, to my cell phone. At least two per day from an unknown number. Since I had no voicemail to reference, I had no idea who it was. Since I was at work, I couldn't answer the phone to find out.
One day, they actually decided to call after 4:30, which is when I normally am on my way home. I answered the call, curious who this Unknown number was, and was advised it was Ohio State Waterproofing, and that I had entered their contest and that I requested more information.
Phew, that was a run-on sentence.
Anyway, this fast-talking gentleman was a bit brisk with me, but informed me they would be in the area the following week, and they could stop by to do a free inspection.
I was told this inspection would give me advice on things we could do ourselves to stop the water damage, as well as what they would do, the cost, etc. I figured since it was free, since we really needed an idea of what it could cost, and they were going to give us pointers as to what we could do ourselves, sure. I set that up for today at 2.
Fast forward to yesterday (oxymoron, sorry). My phone rang at 8am. Then every 2 hours for 4 more times. That unknown number. I was at work. They knew this; I told them before to call after 5:30pm as it was the best time for me. Instead, they blew up my phone yesterday 5 times, never leaving a voicemail.
Then, they called around 5:33pm. I didn't answer, as by that point I was irate. They left a voicemail, requesting I call back their toll-free number to confirm the appointment. They would be open that night until 9, and opened today at 8am.
I didn't learn this until 8:04am this morning. At 8:08am, they called my phone again, before I could even dial them. I was at work, they left a voicemail. I called back, told them yes, to come out, as calmly as I could. The lady then asked me questions that were borderline lecturing.
"Is your husband going to be there? Do you have anything to do this afternoon? Does he?"
She then explained it will take 1-1.5 hours. I said fine, terminated the call, and proceeded about my day. At noon I left work. I was originally going to pick up my husband and head to Sam's Club to get a needed dehumidifier for the basement. I decided against it, as 1) I wanted the guy to see the water and 2) I had a bad feeling he would be early.
I got home at 12:45pm. My husband and I cleaned up the house, and at 1:35pm, we had a knock on our back door. It was the guy.
No hello, nothing. "I'm here for the basement". I let him in (ONLY because he was wearing a polo shirt that had "Ohio State Waterproofing" on it). No clipboard, no pen, nothing. My husband leads him to the basement, and I go to let the dog outside, thinking I had time and they would talk.
Not even 5 minutes later, he comes outside, with my husband, and says "So Stacy, did you have any questions?"
I blink and look at my husband. Then I ask, well, how much would it cost?
He spits out, rather quickly, I thought, "Ten nine-ninety". In rational speak, $10.9k. I kept a straight face, but I almost choked. He then asked if we wanted to do it.
I look at my husband and ask a few more questions. Like, what is it they do? He explains their process. It is an inside and outside process, and it also results in a finished basement and a pump being installed. Ok, so that justified the additional $5k more than I thought. He says he is going to get me a brochure, and runs to his SUV.
He comes back, 5 minutes later, with a tape measure, asks my husband to hold it, and takes some roughshod measurements of our house. He then adjusts the estimate to over $11k. I suppose when you're working with thousands, whats a few hundred more?
He makes a crack about getting cheap jobs done, as I mentioned my mother had her house waterproofed a few years ago and that company went out of business. He then gives me a brochure, detailing their process again, explains a few price variations, and then says they do have payment plans. Payments would be deferred until January. I explain we just bought windows ("You are supposed to work from the bottom up" retort) and we will have to talk about it.
He thanks us, says he feels badly because he felt like he didn't do much. We explain to him that he did, at least we have a price. He then leaves.
This took less than 15 minutes. No suggestions on what to do ourselves. And no where near that hour and a half timeframe that lady said.
I am waiting to see if they start blowing up my phone. AND if anyone ever wins that contest of theirs.
Will I call them back? I doubt it. That was the most unprofessional sales inspection I have EVER experienced. It wasn't high pressure, that is for sure, but my God, does he even care? He mentioned how busy he is, which is a MASSIVE no-no in the sales area. I already felt like we were unimportant, but that just confirmed it.
If you want lots of phone calls and horrible service, without EVEN signing a contract, call these guys. You won't be disappointed.
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