www.Scratchley.org : blog

PREVIEW: AVOID HSM PLUMBING EDMONTON
Yeah. It’s true. Buyer beware.

Last week we took posession of our new dishwasher. A nice Kenmore high end washer that we acquired for a damn good price.

Me being handy, but not THAT handy started to install the dishwasher on the weekend. Once 3 liters of water filled my dribble tray, I realized that I might (might) be in over my head. I decided that rather than chance a new kitchen floor - which my wife might (would) like that I would call a ‘handyman’ type plumber to do the job.

I left an email with HSM Plumbing in Edmonton for a quote, and they returned my call promptly. I was quoted 100$ including parts and labour to do the 1 hour install just 3 hours after my call at 4pm. Right on. I want this thing done, and they’ll come do it same day easy-peasy right?

Not FUCKING likely.

At 4:45 they arrived while I was readying to shoot out of my house to a hockey game. Lin was home - no brainer. I’ll get them going, and she can pay them once the job is done.

The game was great.

I got home and Lin explained that they had been working until almost 6:30 to get things finished, including needing some of OUR tools and OUR flashlights to make things come together. She also told me she had given them an extra 20$ because they had been working diligently for an extra hour to make sure everything was right. She then noted that the final installation was a little rushed once the wiring and drain were completed, and that the dishwasher was a little crooked (1.5″ from the counter on one side and .5″ on the other.)

I shook my head and told her I’d fix it when I got home monday night.

When I got home, I unscrewed the left support, easily slid the unit in and reaffixed. I also noted that there was a 3/4″ gap at the top of the dishwasher. Apparently it wasn’t part of the plan by these installers to raise / level the unit. Once I checked it was level I shook my head and accepted the small gap.

I then ran a full cycle with the bottom covers off to make sure there were no leaks on the drain side, and though louder than I expected for a new machine, everything seemed fine. I buttoned up the bottom panel, and went about my business.

When Lin got home I let her know that we could start using the machine - but that it was way louder than I expected (though quieter than our old machine).

“Should they have left the wrapping on?” She says…

“What?” I replied…

Lin then proceeded to the garage and returned with the white blanket that had been wrapped around the dishwasher.

They had ripped it off and told her it was garbage.

Yes. The sound deadener.

The blanket that is wrapped around EVERY built in dishwasher on EARTH.

These two ‘plumber’ wanna-be’s had RIPPED the INSULATION and SOUND DEADENER off the washer.

How quickly did I call? Very quickly.

To summarize my fury, I called, spoke to the owner and explained what had transpired. He said he would talk to the crew he sent to my house, and get back to me about correcting the situation.

Five minutes later, I received a call whereon the owner told me he had ‘located’ the crew and HANDED THE PHONE TO THE GUY. The ‘tech’ / ‘incompetent’ asked me what the problem was - clueless.

I explained that it was obvious that they had mislead us regarding their ability to perform the job as:

1. The unit wasn’t installed straight.

2. The unit wasn’t levelled to the countertop.

3. They had removed and discarded a CRITICAL part of the unit.

Then he had the AUDACITY to tell me “You don’t know anything about dishwashers” and that the job had been performed “exactly how it should be.”

He also told me that they dutifully remove the insulation and sound deadener on EVERY dishwasher they install and have never had a complaint. I replied that either they don’t actually install these very often - or they must not check their messages.

I demanded that they return to correct the problems, under my watchful gaze as we had paid 120.00 in good faith (including an extra 20$ for their additional time) and expected only what we paid for. He then told me that Lin had only given him 100$ for the job.

I asked if he had counted it when he left and he didn’t answer.

I asked if he had returned to the house after putting his tools in the car with our receipt and he again, didn’t answer.

I said very simply…

“You misrepresented your ability to do the job. Did the job poorly. Made mistakes that would only be classed as incompetent, and then accuse me of lying about the payment?”

“There was nothing wrong with the installation when we left.” He stammered.

I fucking LOST it.

“Put the owner on the phone.” I demanded.

“Why?” the HSM Plumbing ‘representative’ asked.

He hung up.

Three unanswered calls later, I left a VERY detailed voice mail of my expectations, and my recourse.

After a 20 minute wait, I called again and another person answered. My assumption is that it was the owners wife. She was all sweetness and apologetics. “We’ll make this right, we’ll get someone out tomorrow to correct the problems, we’ll make you an invoice for the $100 dollars…” (Yes - I corrected her too…)

“We’ll have someone there at 4 tomorrow” she offered.

“4 is unacceptable. No one will be here. You’ll have someone here at 6.” I demanded.

“Yes - 6 is fine. We’re very sorry, I apologize, we’ll make this right.”

Pop quiz. Did anyone show up?

Not fucking likely.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME with HSM PLUMBING in EDMONTON ALBERTA.

Perhaps no-one had complained before - but someone has now.  I’m fixing the problems myself (ED NOTE: Yes - it’s fixed.  $180.00 to fix the insulation, replace the hard lines and the valve broken by their pipe wrench…) At the end of the day - the dishwasher is just fine and works like a damn - it’s just too loud until I put the insulation back on (no issues).

Frankly - if HSM Plumbing (keywords: trouble incompetent possible-fraud) can do the job, I should have done it from the start.

Please note also:

They have illegally copied content on their website from other sources (wikipaedia). The site is managed by the “HAZIM GABER GROUP INC.” Domain ownership details follow. Interestingly enough, this is also the owner of a web design company with the same phone number…

Gaber, Hazim contact@hsmplumbing.com
The Hazim Gaber Group, Inc.
8923 154 Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5Z3B8
Canada
7804402448

Amusingly - the web development side of their business claims to work for the UN, US Military, INTEL, fedEx and a HOST of other Fortune50 businesses. RIGHT. Something tells me there is only a shred of truth in there…

See here for a laugh. http://www.hgwebdevelopment.com/who.php