Stevens Plumbing Contractors

On or about July 2, 2009 I called Stevens Plumbing and talked to Mr Stevens. I explained that my son and I had tried to change the Anode Rod in my hot water heater. We were unable to change it due to the fact that my 245lb truck driver son could not break loose the old Anode Rod. Mr Stevens said that his plumber would have an impact wrench to break loose the Anode Rod. I asked if Mr Stevens gave discounts for Seniors and he said a 5% discount would apply to labor only. I scheduled an appointment for the following Tuesday afternoon. His plumber was sick on Tuesday July 7 and Wednesday July 8. On Thursday July 9, 2009 I got a call from Stevens that his plumber was well and could due the job on Friday afternoon. At that time I told Mr Stevens that I would make it as easy as possible for his plumber to due his work. I told him that I would turn off the water heater and drain some of the water in it. He agreed that this would help. On Friday I also asked Mr Stevens to have his plumber pull down my driveway as the water heater was in the basement and it would be faster this way. When the plumber got to my house about 12:30pm on Friday July 10, 2009 he parked in front and even when asked did not pull down my driveway. Also the plumber seems to have no idea what he was here fore. I explain that my son and I could not break loose the old Anode Rod from the water heater. I told him that Mr Stevens had told me that his plumber would have an impact wrench so as to make quick work of breaking loose the old Anode Rod and replacing it with the new one. Mr Stevens plumber told me not only did he not have an impact wrench, but was not sure if he had the right size socket to fit the old Anode Rod. I told him that would not be a problem because I had the correct size socket. He then used my breaker bar and socket. The plumber tried to break loose the Anode Rod. He could not!! He tried for 20 minutes and finally took some time out to think. During this time I took a hammer and hit the top of the Anode Rod several times. After about 5 minutes he put my socket on his wrench and broke loose the old Anode Rod. He then replaced it with the new Anode Rod I had bought. The invoice was $112.50 for one and a half hours. Time was started from the shop. I did not get my 5% discount and believe that I was charged one half hour more that I should have been. It was very apparent that the work would have been done quickly if the plumber had an impact wrench and knew what the job was going to be ahead of time. On Friday afternoon I called Mr Stevens but he was not there. I explained the above to the person that answered the phone (later found out it was his Dad) and asked for Mr Stevens to call me. It is Wednesday July 15, 2009 and he has not called me. Before filing this complaint with the BBB I called Mr Stevens and told him the above, he said he was not responsible for his plumber not having a impact wrench with him. He said that they had done me a fair job at a fair price. I pointed out that he was a member of the BBB. He said give them a call I don't care and then hung-up on me before I could even mention the lack of the 5% Senior discount.