I call Mr. Electric to look at a light fixture in one of my rental properties. I agreed to a $124 diagnostic fee and set the appointment. When the electrician showed up he diagnosed a bad ballast. To change the ballast he wanted to charge me over $441. I immediately told him to leave the house and I bought a new fixture for less than $40 and it took less than 30 minutes to complete the change out.
The fee he wanted to charge me was definitely price gouging and I believe they should be sanctioned for trying to take advantage of a senior citizen.
This is a lesson learned to never use the unscrupulous thieves known as “Mr. Electric”!
RESPONSE FROM Mr Electric of San Antonio TX:
We are sorry to hear you were dissatisfied with our service and pricing. The $124 diagnostic charge was to find out whether the issue was in the fixture or elsewhere. The remainder was parts and labor to take the fixture apart to make repairs. It is normally less expensive to replace the fixture if it is a low cost fixture. Your accusations are unjustified. We use a standard pricing program that gives the same price for every customer for the same task and you never incur any costs unless you approve these costs in writing prior to the work. Thank you.
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