Billing baffler

COMPLAINT: Nettie Bartel, Telford, Pa.
"I.T. Landes & Son Inc. initially installed my [water] tank. I was having trouble with my water, so I called them. They sent out a serviceman, who said the tank was shot. I told them to replace it, and they said it would cost $1,020. Since I was in desperate need of water, I agreed. When the bill came, it was listed as '$1,020,' with nothing about [separate] items or tax.

"I called them and paid by credit card. I asked for an itemized bill and got a call back with a lot of double talk saying they told me [the price] up front. I said I wasn't arguing the amount but wanted an itemized bill. I haven't gotten it. They did the job, but giving me the runaround about an itemized bill makes me suspicious of their billing process."

DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I want an itemized invoice with some detail."

RESPONSE: Michael L. Landes, president, I.T. Landes & Son Inc.
"We received a call from the member saying her water pump was clicking on and off. That same day, we sent our serviceman to her home to investigate the problem. He found the water tank needed to be replaced. Our estimator quoted her a set contract price of $1,020 over the phone.

"She gave us the approval to replace the tank, which we did, and we invoiced her for the installation in the amount we quoted. It was a set contract price, and we don't itemize contract prices."

STATUS: Stalemate