ALASKA INDUSTRIAL HARDWARE INC

In April, I purchased a sump pump kit ($250) and installed a french drain system in the crawl space of my home. We connected the system to the sump pump kit, replaced the vapor barrier and tested the "system" (poured water into the sump pump barrel and plugged it in). The pump kicked in and the water was "sucked" out. With little or no rain in May, June and July, the system did not "kick-on". After a few weeks of rain in August, I started noticing a "musty smell" in the house. We decided to go into the crawl space and make sure the pump was working properly. The sand underneath the vapor barrier seemed "cold" so we pulled back the vapor barrier and realized that the sand was "somewhat saturated". We unplugged the sump pump and pulled off the top of the sump pump "barrel" and found about a foot and a half of standing water. After testing the pump several times, we pulled the pump and realized that the seal had "blown". We removed it and returned to AIH with the purchase paperwork and the pump. After looking at the paperwork, the clerk explained that they would not be able to replace it because AIH had a 30 day return policy. After discussing the issue with the store manager (Josh Sieler), he explained that he would have to discuss it with the distributor and would place a call to them the next day. I wanted it resolved immediately and discussed my dilemma with him. (although AIH didn't know I was prepared to buy another one, if they would not replace the one I had (up to about $200)). He took the pump into the back of the store (to check it out) and contact the distributor. While he was gone, I looked on the shelf at the numerous sump pumps ranging from $100 and up, I looked at the one included in the kit, and buying it separately would cost me $369. (YIKES) Apparently, he called the distriutor and received a negative response because he returned and opened a new kit, removed the new sump pump and gave it to me. KUDOS to him for doing the right thing.