Septic Tank Pumping - Repair
Incompetence. Lying. $350 for a septic tank to be pumped, for damage to be discovered that could lead to total failure, and to be told I have to pay $2500 for a job that is several hours work and $40 in parts. When I went to do the awful work myself, cursing at myself for hiring the company, I find the access cover wasn't even seated and is one inch off allowing clay to rain into the tank, which will eventually lead to total system failure and damages to a leachfield which can reach $20k for total repair in my peculiar lots case. I call both the first fellow and the pumper and I'm lied to, even after sending pictures, that "DIRT SEALS THAT GAP". Yes, the picture attached was responded to with "it's supposed to be that way" [so water and clay can destroy your downstream] Oh -- and rather than fix the, let's be generous and say mistake, but what I would now call brazen incompetence, I get hung up on while my jaw hangs open at the audacity of what I heard. It's only after I declare that we can handle this civilly and professionally or go another route that I'm told "the owner" (which I guess is the other owner, or anyone with the same last name) will call tomorrow. What kills me is that, had I not known better, I would have been all smiles and thank yous to someone who's carelessness would cost me a fortune-- and when that disaster hit, if I did not know better, I would never know it was simply a case of "the boy who couldn't put a lid on a jar and doesn't give a ****". Really though. Don't call tomorrow. Just don't. If the apple doesn't fall far from the tree then I'd rather not meet the tree.
Service Provider Response
We went out like we do to all our customers. We have the customer sign us onto their lot and explain our process of digging up the tank and then diagnosing the issue. We give the customer options on what needs to be done to fix their issues. We dug up the tank, showed the customer his issues, quoted his options. He only wanted us to pump out the tank. All we did was pump out 1000 gallons. He also wanted us to leave the tank uncovered (we are not allowed to do this for apparent liability issues, the lid weighs over 400 pounds). The customer did not want to pay anything to have his system fixed, he would not let us complete the pumping which he signed to have us do. We were at this job for 2-1/2 hours, normally we are gone in 45 minutes. We again told the customer he will need the proper equipment to do the repairs to his system and the qualifications. He said he was a handyman and would do the repairs himself. We put the lid back a layer of dirt. He was angry that we covered it. We again explained we are not taking the liability of having the tank opened. He signed off on the invoice that he was satisfied with the job he approved and paid. We have 3 sections to our invoice that customers sign, first to allow us onto their yard, second for the work they approve us to complete and third that they are satisfied with the work completed. The customer signed all three boxes and understood everything.
