My water heater went out around Thursday (10/16), we didn't realize it was a pilot light issue until Saturday night (10/18). I tried to call the company whose sticker was on the water heater, but they didn't answer their phone, so I called Action Plumbing and Heating because I'd heard their commercials and thought they'd be good. I called them Sunday morning, talked to a Mary and she took down my info and said they'd call me with an ETA when someone could come out that day. I never got a call and so on Monday I called them, spoke to a Nicole, and she told me Mary took down my phone number wrong and since they couldn't get a hold of me they cancelled my appointment! She said she would make a new appointment for Tuesday (10/21) between 11-2 (I told them I needed someone before 5 since my husband leaves for class then, but works from home before that), they took down my husbands info since he'd be the one there and they'd need to call him with the status updates. 11:30 they called to confirm we still wanted them to come and said they'd have someone call 30 minutes before they arrive. 1:19 still no call or person! 1:40 they called and said we are next and that they will call again when someone is on their way. 4:47 called and said they are on their way (gotta give them credit for calling, but everything else gets an F-!!) 5:20 hubby has left for class and now I get to deal with them and the guy shows up. I show him our water heater and he doesn't even look at our pilot light or inspect the unit. He tells me right off that it's an old unit and should be replaced (how the hell do you know that when you haven't even touched it?!). I told him it was expected since a few of our neighbors had to replace theirs. He tells me he can replace it for $1400!! I told him that was above the budget my husband and I agreed upon (because we thought anything over $1000 was ridiculous and joked about that!). He said that gave us a great warranty and be top of the line. I told him we found some online for under $300 and he said that was for a version like what we already had and wouldn't last very long. I told him we only needed something for like 5 years since that's the longest we plan on being here and he finally looked at the unit and said since everything is up to code and he could use it all he could take it down to $1100. I told him that was still above our price range and that my grandma got hers replaced for about $600. He said that doesn't seem possible with a plumber. I told him I'd like to get a second opinion. He said he could give us financing for $30 a month. I told him the end result is still over what we wanted to spend and that I'd still like a second opinion. He finally got the hint and left. What a waste of time this company is and I'm so irritated at their lack of professionalism! I will NEVER use them again and I'm definitely letting everyone I know and the internet about my awful experience. Given what I've read it won't be news to this company!!!
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