ComplaintsforA-1 Sewer & Septic Service, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  04/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Signed a bid to complete a plumbing repair on an apartment building. Once the plumber started and cut into the lines, he claimed it needed another $469 in repairs. When questioned on this, he packed up his things and started leaving. After calling the general manager, I was told I would need to pay it or they were leaving and thus leaving 10 apartments with no water. This was pure extortion! This company's business tactics are predatory and they need to be stopped. What is the point of a bid if they start just to get you pregnant enough to where you have to say yes to whatever they propose.

  

  Business response

  05/26/2023

  The customer was quoted the entire job several months ago and declined to have the work performed.
  Opted to try a cheaper repair that did not work and required the more expensive repair.
  The customer told the tech just to do the work and would call and complain about the price later.
  The customer signed both quotes knowing the price up front. 

• Initial Complaint

  01/12/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  A-1 replaced a grinder pump at my residence 5/22. It stopped working 10/22, they determined the problem was the connection, not the pump, so not covered under warranty. They attempted to fix the connection (the pump did indeed work for a few days), I paid on the day of service by **** ******* (10/10/22) $1,021.42. A week later (10/17/22) we received an invoice by e-mail from A-1. My wife didn't realize I'd paid by CC already & sent them a check - Invoice #******, again for $1021.42 - dated 10/20/22, check #****. Since then I've been trying to get that double payment refunded. A manager named *** was my contact 11/23. I then contacted ******* ******** (office manager) on 12/16/22 who put me in contact with the operations manager, ******  On 12/29/22 Jason agreed to send me a refund check, but said it wouldn't be mailed until 1/3/23 (due to the holidays). I still haven't received the refund for the double payment and they are now not returning my calls or responding to e-mails. Icing on the cake, the pump still wasn't functioning, they gave me an estimate for over $18,000 to try to repair it (digging up the line...). I balked & hired a different company - it was a faulty check valve.

  

  Business response

  01/17/2023

  We sent the refund check to the customer on 01/10/23

• Initial Complaint

  12/22/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I hired A-1 to pump my septic system. They came out and only removed the liquids stating that the "solids were too thick to remove" and told me I would have to pay an additional $750 to get hydro jetting and empty the rest of the tank. I called other companies for quotes, and was instructed to see how thick the solids in the tank were. When I opened the tank and put a rod in, it sank all the way to the bottom without resistance. The other companies told me that they sent their technicians with tools called "crust busters" to mix the waste and remove all of it, and that I wouldnt need hydro-jetting to remove the waste, I just needed someone to come pump it. I explained this to the company multiple times and they refused to acknowledge that they charged me for a job they were unequipped to do and expected me to pay more after the fact to actually have the service performed. Eventually they told me "tough luck" and stopped correspondence. They knowingly offer a service they cannot fully perform, and attempt to convince people that their situation is more dire than it seems so they can offer additional services that are excessive and unnecessary.

  

  Business response

  01/02/2023

  We were able to perform the service that our company is set up to provide.  We do not have the "crust buster" so our company offers the jetting service.  A-1 chose to invest in the jetting equipment because it offers a wider range of options from breaking up solids and or clearing lines.  

  Customer response

  01/02/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Assumed Answered] 
  Complaint: ********
  I am rejecting this response because:
  The service advertised was only partially performed because A-1 was unequipped to fully perform the service.Industry standards require the use of crust busters to remove solids from the septic tank. You were only able to drain 50% of my tank without them, trying to get me to pay additional charges to drain the other 50% .I paid you to drain my tank, you didn't do it. After calling around, any other equipped company would be able to drain my tank because they equip their technicians with the required tools to do the job. The customer should not have to pay for your incompetence.

  Regards,
  **** *****

  

  Business response

  01/06/2023

  Please send us a copy of the industry standards that you are referencing, and we will evaluate a partial refund. 

  Customer response

  01/06/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Assumed Answered]

  Complaint: ********
  I am rejecting this response because:  Industry standards: when offering "septic tank waste removal" have the tools and ability to remove not just the liquids but also the solids WITHOUT trying to charge additional fees to complete the original service quoted.
  Regards,
  **** *****

• Initial Complaint

  11/28/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Date work began 11/9/2022 Original job was to burst a new main sewer line for $12137.85 after we had A1 Sewer and Septic scope the line and recommend this job. This job was done and failed a test with Johnson County Kansas. After further inspection to the video by others at A1 they in fact made mistakes and the only way to fix this was to trench the yard. The Project Manager **** informed us that they will be making this right at no cost to us. This has been going on for 3 weeks now and our yard, sidewalk, and hard scape is beyond destroyed. We have tried contacting this company for 2 weeks now and finally got someone, ***** the Operations Manager to speak with us. They “reworked” a bid and are asking for $41000.00. This is beyond a scam and they have yet to complete the job.

  

  Business response

  11/30/2022

  At this time, A-1 has not been paid for any of the work that has been completed.
  ***** *******, our Operations Manager, spoke with **** ****** at approx. 10:30a on 11/30/22 and offer to go through BBB Arbitration.
  **** ****** declined the BBB Arbitration. *** ******** and A-1 will have their attorneys handle the issue going forward. 

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