There is nothing that pains honest plumbing companies in San Antonio, TX more than hearing about scams being done by people claiming to be members of our field. We take pride in our craft, and when we hear that our potential customers are being cheated by those who say they’re plumbers… well, it makes us upset.
That’s why our team at Big City Plumbing, LLC takes the time to put together information like this post. We want our customers and friends to be well informed about what they should be on the lookout for to avoid becoming the victim of a deceptive scam.
Paperwork not in order
One thing homeowners should remember when they’re working with any contractor is that it’s not impolite to ask for verification of things like licenses and other certifications. You’re protecting yourself, and any honest plumbing company in San Antonio, TX should be happy to comply with your requests. If the contractor you’re speaking with is reluctant or unable to produce things like proof of license or work permits for the job you’d like them to do, then you should take that as a huge red flag. Any reputable contractor will gladly show these documents, since they should have nothing to hide.
Bait and switch
Bait and switch scams take place in many fields, but the general idea is that you come to an agreement with someone to provide a specific service for a quoted price, and then later they will try and flip the script by upselling you on “superior” products that are actually just marked-up versions of standard or budget ones. They’ve baited you with a relatively low price, and then tried to switch the terms of the agreement—and not even by actually using superior products!
Unfortunately, this one can be hard to spot by the layperson, since not many people know the ins and outs of plumbing supplies. The trick here is to thoroughly vet everyone you’re considering so you can read reviews and feel certain you’ve found an honest plumbing company in San Antonio, TX with help from the experiences of others.
Overwhelming you with information
One trick that plumbing scammers will also use is to try and confuse and overwhelm the customer. This can take many different forms, but one common approach is to offer so many solutions to a problem that you’re not even sure which one is which. Eventually, the customer defers to the plumber’s choice, which is of course the one that’s going to cost the most. A good plumber will assess a situation and offer you a firm plan and estimate on exactly what needs to be done, rather than thinking out loud in front of you and confusing you even more.
If you’re looking to avoid these scams and find yourself an honest plumbing company in San Antonio, TX, then you’ve come to the right place. Big City Plumbing, LLC offers a full range of services to our customers, including emergency plumbing services that can help you in a pinch. Give us a call today to learn more or schedule an appointment!