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ksmithA few weeks ago, I posted in someone's LJ that pets, cars, and plumbing always know when you have money.
Yesterday was pay day.
Last night, the hot water line under the bathroom sink sprang a dandy leak that sprayed water for some time before it was discovered, dripping through the cabinet bottom and the floor to the basement below. The cut-off valve wouldn't turn, so I shut off the water at the main and called the last plumber I used, who does advertise 24-hour emergency service.
Someone did answer the phone. The soonest anyone could come, however, was Friday afternoon. This was Thursday night. Late Thursday night damn near Friday morning, but still.
Phoned 4-5 more plumbers advertising 24-hr emergency service (I lost count). Of those who answered the phone, all said that the soonest they could send someone was Friday morning/afternoon. One guy wasn't even sure that they could send someone on Friday, as it depended on what other orders were waiting in the shop the next morning.
(Started to think at this point that my idea of emergency and the official concept of emergency for advertising purposes were two very different things).
So, I wound up calling back the plumbing service we had used before and setting up a time for later this morning.
This morning, received two phone calls *bang* after 7am from two of the plumbing companies with whom I left messages, whose ads guaranteed "callback within 5 minutes" and who never called back. Was I able to find a plumber? Yes, I replied.
Things learned:
Advertising? HAH!
A roll of toilet paper can absorb several times its weight in water. Eight rolls can absorb a *lot* of water.
5-minute callback guaranteed? HAH!
Having the apollo valve installed at the cut-off point in place of the leaky twisty knob was some of the smartest money ever spent.
24-hour emergency service? HAH!
Home, at least for the morning. Awaiting the plumber.
UPDATE: Plumber I was waiting for phoned. No, the appointment hadn't been arranged for *this* morning, but for Saturday morning. To say that this was not my understanding is to not say nearly enough.
Cancelled that appointment and called one of the plumbers who phoned back this morning. He's supposed to be here within the hour.
Yesterday was pay day.
Last night, the hot water line under the bathroom sink sprang a dandy leak that sprayed water for some time before it was discovered, dripping through the cabinet bottom and the floor to the basement below. The cut-off valve wouldn't turn, so I shut off the water at the main and called the last plumber I used, who does advertise 24-hour emergency service.
Someone did answer the phone. The soonest anyone could come, however, was Friday afternoon. This was Thursday night. Late Thursday night damn near Friday morning, but still.
Phoned 4-5 more plumbers advertising 24-hr emergency service (I lost count). Of those who answered the phone, all said that the soonest they could send someone was Friday morning/afternoon. One guy wasn't even sure that they could send someone on Friday, as it depended on what other orders were waiting in the shop the next morning.
(Started to think at this point that my idea of emergency and the official concept of emergency for advertising purposes were two very different things).
So, I wound up calling back the plumbing service we had used before and setting up a time for later this morning.
This morning, received two phone calls *bang* after 7am from two of the plumbing companies with whom I left messages, whose ads guaranteed "callback within 5 minutes" and who never called back. Was I able to find a plumber? Yes, I replied.
Things learned:
Advertising? HAH!
A roll of toilet paper can absorb several times its weight in water. Eight rolls can absorb a *lot* of water.
5-minute callback guaranteed? HAH!
Having the apollo valve installed at the cut-off point in place of the leaky twisty knob was some of the smartest money ever spent.
24-hour emergency service? HAH!
Home, at least for the morning. Awaiting the plumber.
UPDATE: Plumber I was waiting for phoned. No, the appointment hadn't been arranged for *this* morning, but for Saturday morning. To say that this was not my understanding is to not say nearly enough.
Cancelled that appointment and called one of the plumbers who phoned back this morning. He's supposed to be here within the hour.
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no subject
Date: 2006-07-28 01:39 pm (UTC)Lots of luck with the plumbers.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-28 01:45 pm (UTC)I probably could have replaced the leaky hose myself. I could not replace the undersink cut-off myself, so may as well have the guy come out here...
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Date: 2006-07-28 02:59 pm (UTC)I've gone through a few plumbers myself--I'm now back to using the firm where you pay top dollar but on the other hand the plumber actually shows up when he's scheduled to.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-28 09:20 pm (UTC)What gets me is the honest befuddlement displayed when I asked them if they could fix it that night.
Maybe I needed to have a basement full of water...
no subject
Date: 2006-07-29 12:55 am (UTC)