Able & Willing Plumbing

Integrity is non-existent in this business. Could someone please explain how Able & Willing Plumbing is still licensed to serve residential customers! If you drive past the business location, there are deceptive advertising signs all over the place. There are two large banner signs saying: Only $39 Drain Cleaning or Repairs. There are also prices for equipment such as Sump Pumps for $199 installed. There is no mention on any sign about a $299 annual membership fee included with these prices. Does anyone recall their commercial that ran about two years ago on the local cable viewing area with the catch phrase about free labor? There was also no mention about the $299 membership fee. What is the business strategy of this company? Does the business owner get enjoyment in ripping off the uninformed consumer? My mother had six transactions with Able & Willing totaling $1918.75 during 2008-09. It was about that time she was in the early stages of dementia. Thankfully, medication has helped stabilize and prolong the process. There were 3 service call charges totaling $732 with very little information. We do not have 2 of those invoices or copies despite my request to the business. None of the 4 invoices we have itemize labor costs or time involved. Price gouging and opportunistic greed became more apparent with each transaction. On the last transaction , my mother paid $199 for a bogus plumbing inspection. One month later, my mother received an invoice for a Plumbing Protection Program at $299. Able & Willing began to launch a program asking customers for prepayment in advance for work that may or may not be needed over the next twelve months to cover minor plumbing repairs. About two months later is when the commercial began to air. There is more detail about the six transactions in my review at the RipoffReport website. The current ownership has been in effect since January, 2008 for possibly the second or third time with this business. After being unable to resolve the situation at the business location, I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. After two months of correspondence, the BBB stated it does not handle uninvolved third party complaints. The BBB voided the complaint and deleted it from the Able & Willing history file as if it never happened. The company went from Unrated to A. Since that time, there have been 2 other parties filing complaints in 2010 and 2011. The business is now rated A+, even though Able & Willing Plumbing is not accredited by the BBB. The business owners response was late and filled with denials and accusations directed at me. Some of his rhetoric includes complete falsehood, maligned accusations, and malicious mudslinging and vilification. There was no attempt on the owner's part to resolve the situation or clear any possible misunderstandings on my part. A few months later, I filed a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General Consumer Protection Division. The owner's response did provide an explanation of the transactions, which contained more denials, exaggerations, and fabrications. I recommend anyone who feels they have been a victim of consumer fraud with Able & Willing Plumbing to file their complaint with the Illinois Attorney General. Forms could be printed on their website.

Although I do not expect to get restitution for my mother, I am still outraged at the injustice of this situation. Able & Willing Plumbing should not be licensed to serve residential customers. It would be pleasing to hear this business will have every transaction since January, 2008 thoroughly investigated for possible multi tier pricing large variances and inconsistencies sooner rather than later. This business should be held accountable and penalized for any alleged fraudulent activities. Consumers should not be subject to these buyer beware circumstances. There are more ripoffs waiting to happen.…