Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

Tom F.

In the past I had been using Gonzo's Plumbing for my home repairs. Good at first, then things changed ... familiarity breeds contempt. When they charged me $500 for a simple leak repair that took 15 minutes, I was done with them, so I switched to Benjamin Franklin. Now it appears history repeats itself.

Good at first too, then things changed. I had even joined their company's Club Membership, which for $119.88 annually gives me a ""free"" water heater flush, plus 15% off on all repairs. Earlier this week I called and made an appointment for the next morning to fix a toilet flush valve which was faulty, stressing an early morning arrival time. The plumber arrived almost 4 hours late, just 10 minutes shy of being ""late"" which would have been discounted ... or so they claim.

The nice and courteous employee then confirmed it was the flush valve that was faulty due to corrosion from the awful water here, even though it was only 8 years old. He suggested replacing the flapper too, to which I agreed. Flush valves cost around $25 dollars; flappers around $8. He worked for 20 minutes, then told me the cost was $549!! Are you kidding me??!! Lawyers don't make that kind of money; they charge around $200 per hour. And this was with my 15% discount, or it would've been even more! I was flabbergasted, or maybe I should say flappergasted. And I'm a Senior with Social Security as my only income. This was greed, pure, plain and simple.

I always give people/companies a second chance, so if they pull this greedy rip-off scheme on me again, I'm done with them too. $549 for 20 minutes of work using around $35 worth of parts? I think not. I'm posting this as a ""buyer beware"" warning ... you will be taken advantage of, just so you know.

Robert A.

Do NOT trust these folks! They are greedy, corrupt & grossly OVERPRICED. They DO NOT know what they are doing. I diagnosed a failed start capacitor on my air handler, and even then they chargerd me $1,000.00 to replace the capacitor. They DID NOT vaccum out the centrifugal fan, even theough it obviously needed it. Then a week later the same unit blew the breaker again, and they sent a different guy. This time he patiently listened to me till I was finished, then he said, ""So, you THINK I'm the guy who's gonna fix your AC, Huh?"" I replied... ""You're not?"" To which he replied ""no, I'm the guy who's gonna sell you a BRAND-NEW HVAC SYSTEM....
So, I showed him the door & said: ""Don't come back!""

Jared K.

I had Benjamin Franklin plumbing also known as Pfitzer one hour air conditioning out to the house at my own expense because they were the ones that did the plumbing work on my newly purchased home, 2 weeks before I bought it. They refused to honor a warranty. Long story short, I think they realized pretty quickly I did not know much about plumbing, so it was time to take full fledged advantage of me and my hard earned money! They told me it would be $490 just to do a more in depth inspection of the main line with a longer hose. Then quoted me $3,500 to do a 2 way clean out that they recommended. Stating it is nearly impossible for a plumber to get to where they need to to clear out plumbing issues on the property without it, in the future. This was all from a manager that was not actually at my house calling me on the phone. I said that sounds a bit pricey. He said it's all standard based out of our pricing book. He claimed that I got the more expensive price for ""deep digging"" because my lines were more than 4 foot deep. Then the technician that was at my house called me. (This is a rental property and I was not there). He told me they got a rag out of my pipes. That should have been the end of it. Instead I was told all the work that supposedly needed to be done and the 2 way drain they needed to install for $3,500. I gave my credit card info over the phone, under the impression it was to book the appointment for the following week. To my surprise they charged my card right then and there. They made me pay that amount of money for a job that was not going to be completed for a week! This isn't in the slightest, the worst part! I then talked to a few people that knew a little more than I did about plumbing and they told me I was being taken advantage of. I then had roto rooter come out for a second opinion. Their technician happened to be a former employee of Benjamin Franklin and asked me before ever mentioning who did the work, if it was Benjamin Franklin plumbing. I said yes! He said I am sorry. Everyone in the area knows what crooks they are. Their plumbers are not licensed and their pay is based off of commission! You have to be a salesman to work there and I just wasn't that so I left the company. He said the more you bid a person, the more you make as a plumber. I said that is beyond corrupt! He said ya that's why I left after working for them for only 3 weeks! Anyway, it gets worse. He then showed me 3 different places where I had 2 way clean out access that Benjamin Franklin plumbing quoted me $3,500 to install! If I wanted another one installed rotor rooter quoted me $250 for the same job Benjamin Franklin quoted $3,500! I already had it! To say I was utterly shocked would be an understatement! He then showed me that most pipes were 2 ft deep and so we're mine. They tried to charge me extra for the "" deep digging"". This company is beyond unethical and should not be allowed to be in business. They are nothing more than swindlers and con artists. So then of course, I called requesting a refund. I was told 3 different things each day by Bethany at the call center. Calming I would get a call from a supervisor the next day, everyday that I called. Finally I called and told her I kept getting the run around. She snapped at me telling me I already told you someone would call you, there is nothing else I can do! I told her it has been 4 days and no one has called me regarding the matter. She said it was a weekend. I said you don't have Manager's to resolve issues on weekends? Then she hung up on me! Customer service like this, is what I received after already finding out they tried to rip me off! Finally Tuesday I receive a call from a supervisor. The first thing she says to me is, I heard you called over the weekend demanding a refund or you were going to file a law suit? Not, how can we resolve this issue. Rude, nasty, and condescending. She then told me a bunch of lies about her telling me the refund was going to take 7 to 10 business days and she told me that last week. I said are your lines recorded? Because this is a blatant lie. I then asked if they have sent me anything via email stating they have issued a refund. She said no we don't do that. I am currently waiting to see if my refund actually goes through or if I will have to continue contact with this vile company. My goal is to save as many people from this corrupt company as possible! Please do not call Benjamin Franklin plumbing also known as pfitzer one hour air conditioning!

Barbra B.

They were Extremely prominent in arriving at our house upon calling them. We had a simple leak in our master shower which our handyman could have fixed.
But we needed to use a certified plumber for insurance Purpose. They charged us $925 for a half hours work. Upon reviewing the invoice they charged us for a leak detection . It was quite obvious we're the leak was.
A rip off company. I guess they have to pay for those beautiful van's they drive around In.

Debbie H.

I had an appointment with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today....was scheduled between 8:30 am and 12:30. I had forgotten they were coming out to do the warranty flush on my hot water heater and looked at my calendar at 12:20 pm. I called their office to see if someone had come out yet because I had not received a reminder phone call. The plumber was running behind schedule due to a major problem and I had one other person in front of me before he would be at my house.....in 2 hours. I did receive a call at 4 pm and they said someone would be out in 50 minutes. As promised Aaron Johnson showed up just before 5 pm.. He flushed the hot water heater and then checked under all my sinks looking for leaks (no one has ever done that before) He noticed a leak under my kitchen sink and fixed it for free. Very friendly and consciences. He even talked me into the plumbing plan in case I have problems in the future.

Thanks Aaron for your help! I would give 5 stars, but I had to take off of work early to wait for him...........DH Bullhead City, Az

Joan D.

These people are highway robbery. Their quote was almost three times what the others were. I guess someone needs to pay for those fancy vans. Check around. Many others , much cheaper and good work.

Jack K.

This outfit really puts a twist on how to gouge or deep plunge a newbie to Fort Mohave. Not knowing any plumbing firms local to the area and needing to have a water softener installed we contacted Benjamin Franklin.(trustworthy name).Their agent arrived right on time, told he was new to the area and also had never had the need for a water softener. But this area it was also required. OK install one. $5800.00 and about an hour later, a softer is installed and we are told the water now will be as sweet as brook water. Not bad if you like drinking straight out of Salton Sea. Now we find ourselves having to install two RO filter systems and told the water contains so much contamination it's not funny. The kicker to this we could have saved $4000.00 at Lowe's and had the right items installed. I would not recommend Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to my worst enemy.

Kari K.

Better have Benjamins if you call these guys. Called about a broken water main and they ""fixed"" the problem by globbing a bunch of glue on the broken PVC pipe. They didn't replace any parts at all and charged 400!! Just for it to start spraying water again less than 2 days later. I could have smudged some glue on it myself for less than 5 dollars. I called them again when it started spraying water everywhere and the girl just didn't give a crap. She said they'd be here to fix it in 4 hours!? Shotty work, snotty repair men, outragous prices. Taking my business elsewhere.

Mary F.

Never on time, left with faucets leaking and holes in the wall. Owner said he would send me a check to make up for all the inconvience have yet to receive it. He is supposed to hand deliver this Friday,but will wait and see.