Genz-Ryan sucks.

Genz-Ryan sucks.

We called a week ago to have them come to our home to install water line before our new fridge arrived. Bill Blanche did the work.

They charge $99 just to come out, no free estimates. Bill Blanche spent 4 hours at our home trying to upsell every "problem" he could find. Original quote was $5,000 for work plus other home improvements. He spoke about guitars (mutual interest w/ my husband). Husband did not assent to $5k and was not sure about price for "only" the water line, which Bill quoted at $1000. Husband said he didn't want to pay him $99 for nothing, but the quote seemed really high... Bill then told him if he did not take his quote, then he just got "paid $99 to talk about guitars."
Really?

Bill Blanche said he'd help us out on the $1k quote. He would get our price down $70 by reducing the two year warranty down to 30 days. Great.

When my husband asked why the quote was so high, Bill said "the company has to pay for their trucks, and healthcare costs for employees." Not that this was a difficult or complex job. They needed to pay for their high overhead. Nice.

They do not quote by the hour or materials, just by job. I asked manager Jeff Dehler for an itemized bill, and was told it was a "complex formula" they had in their computers that calculated price.

I asked for that formula, and he said he would not give it to me.

I asked for three quotes to other customers on three comparable jobs, he would not give it to me.

We priced materials. Copper pipe, $6. Hammer arrester $12, water shutoff valve $4. Flexible water line from pipe to fridge, $8. Copper T-bracket and elbows, solder, let's call it $10. So... roughly $40 in materials...

Mileage? I would assume that was part of the $99 fee to look and give bid.

With the $99 for estimate/mileage charge and the $40 in materials, all that's left is the charge for being a plumber and time spent on job...

$693.

That being said, he did a good job. I respect those that work and that people should be paid for that work. I know companies have costs of their own - nothing is for free.

THAT being said, we were robbed. There is a difference between being charged for work at a fair comparable rate, and getting GOUGED because of ignorance. I don't believe this was fair. And the fact the manager just brushed me off and did not even attempt to work with me or reinstate the two year warranty equals a BAD experience.

Caveat emptor, my friends. Buyer beware.

We were uninformed and we needed the work done, but people should not be taken advantage of like this...

Please think twice before working with them. At least arm yourself with this info and protect yourselves...

The Genz-Ryan jingle has been adjusted a bit... "I HATE those guys!"

-Shannon B.