A homeowner was left stunned after a plumber attempted to charge nearly $1,000 for a repair that eventually took just five minutes and required a $14 part.
The homeowner and original poster (OP), Reddit user capnpetch, took to r/mildlyinfuriating to vent their anger, explaining that their bathtub spout had been leaking and they suspected it was due to a bad valve cartridge—a part that had been replaced in the past.
An Easy Fix
Although the OP believed it would be an easy fix, their wife recalled a previous plumber using a "special tool", so the OP called a plumber that had been recommended to them.
In their initial conversation, the OP explained what they thought the problem was and provided the exact part number needed for the repair last time.
However, when the plumber arrived, he claimed the part was a "special order" and quoted a staggering $970 for the repair.
The OP wrote, "Thankfully, I knew what the fix had cost before and had used the time to google videos of the replacement process (which uses common tools and takes roughly five minutes to do).
"Armed with this info, I confronted the guy on the pricing and he offered some bs about the cost being mostly about the warranty, and that it might take 1-3 hours of work because he has to be careful not to break the part when installing and that he might have to test it afterward.
"I told him he was a crook and to take his "consultation fee" and get out. I then drove to Home Depot and bought the part.
"Ten minutes after I got home, it was installed and the tub was no longer leaking. I am convinced he saw someone who he assumed was totally clueless about home repair and just figured he'd take me for all he could."
Many Reddit users responding to the OP's post urged them to expose the plumber's tactics. One user advised, "Post a local review. He likely gave you a go-away price."
Another agreed, noting, "You need to warn others of predatory practices."
How to Spot Repair Scams
Unfortunately, stories like this are not uncommon. Service industries, like plumbing and appliance repair, have been struggling with shady pricing practices for a long time.
According to Katie's Appliance Repair, some of the most common red flags in repair scams include:
- Overpriced parts: Contractors may claim a part is "special order" despite it being readily available.
- Unnecessary repairs: Some professionals recommend work that isn't actually needed to inflate costs.
- Vague or misleading estimates: If a quote lacks itemized details, consumers should be cautious.
- Pressure tactics: Dishonest contractors may insist a repair is urgent to push customers into quick, costly decisions.
Hidden Fees in Consumer Transactions
Dishonest pricing tactics aren't exclusive to plumbing. As covered by Newsweek, one woman went viral after exposing unexplained charges on her restaurant receipt, warning customers to review their bills closely before making payments.
Like in the OP's experience, these hidden fees and inflated costs rely on the assumption that most consumers won't question pricing or do their own research.
For those facing questionable repair quotes, consumer protection experts recommend getting multiple estimates, researching the cost of parts, and refusing to commit under pressure.
If fraud is suspected, customers can file complaints with their local Better Business Bureau or state attorney general's office.
Newsweek has contacted capnpetch for comment via Reddit.
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