COMPLAINT: Joyce O'Conner, Carlsbad

I hired Brian Wathen Electrician of San Marcos to hang a TV. The cables were to go inside the wall and [exit near] the existing outlet, but he had them coming out under the shutters.

I told him I didn't like where they were, and he said he could move them but it would cost more. I agreed to pay. Rather than patching a hole, he put a plate over it to cover it.

The cables still weren't close enough to the corner and the outlet. When I questioned this, he yelled at me, saying I'd bought the wrong length of cable. He returned later to patch, paint and install shelves. Parts were missing, so I went to the store. When I got home, he was gone and left a message saying he wouldn't be back.

DESIRED RESOLUTION: I'd like Brian to pay for the cables to be put where I wanted them and to install the shelves.

RESPONSE: Brian Wathen, owner

This customer was very hard to work for. She originally requested an estimate to install one flat-screen TV. When I told her she'd purchased the wrong cable, she said to get it over as far as I could. She also asked me if I'd also run wires for another TV and move a mirror.

Running wires for the other TV amounted to the equivalent of a complete installation. I called her to discuss cable issues, but she didn't return any of the calls. In good faith, I completed the work. She called that evening upset about the cable. I told her it would cost more to relocate it, and I completed the work and gave her two free hours.

She got frustrated when the shelving didn't have all its parts and became verbally abusive, at which point I decided we could no longer work together. I did the work I was hired to do at what I felt was a fair price and gave extra time and services.

STATUS: Stalemate