The utility company pulled the meter clip. The electrian 1 came out,
opened the
panel, closed the panel, missed the problem, then claim he shopped for
five hours
for the piece (lower right meter clip with finger) that would not have
resolved the
problem or would have been a temporary patch after seeing other heat
damage to
the unit. I doubt it would have passed inspection by the city.
Electrian 1 performed
below industry standard and is negligence.

Second, I discussed it with the utility company after inspection and
when powering
back on because Chuck had been involved the whole time. He had a rather
sick
look on his face when I told him that Tom best electrical supplier in
town and my own
electrian 2 had both drawn the same conclusion upon closer inspection
that it would
be been pointless to proceed as he (utility co) and electrian 1 had
first assessed. I
obtained two additional opinions to the first opinion plus I have the
evidence.

Third, I gave a credit card, so they have carte blanche. Interestingly
enough, I usually
use a debit card but this time, I used credit card. Tom Electrical
Supplier and every
in the shop who heard this story was aghast. Several said "Call
electrian 1's
supervisor. Everyone said that there was no way he spent five hours
looking for a
part. To me it sounds as if the electrian 1 took the morning off Ferris
Buehler style
and charged me for it. The invoice is not believable or Electrian 1 is
dumb.

I figured I was stuck, and that my only resource would be a letter
writing campaign to
the state contractors licensing board, city, county, and BBB. Then, I
remembered,
my credit card has some sort of protection against this type of
incident.

I had a real bad feeling when electrician 1 quoted me $1,000 for the
panel that runs
$100. He hadn't yet mentioned circuit breakers which ran another $100
(would that
mean an additional $1,000?) plus installation. He wouldn't even
estimate labor, I
figured labor close to the parts price, so huge money. I withheld the
approval he
sought to switch out the electrial service panel. He said, "You still
owe me for today."

To my thinking, I have two expert opinions and the physical evidence
coupled with
my credit card safeguards. I just may stick him back. Electrian 1 made
these
arguments to me to persuade the approval to install for $2,000 +.
You're a landlord,
you're out of town, you have a tenant on a respirator, you must act
now. I really
resented some young punk telling me what to do. I discussed the matter
with my
tenants who were willing to hobble along on 110 until I could resolve
it. Fortunately,
110 was enough to keep the respirator going and we still had that much
current in
the house.

What, if anything, do I owe electrian 1? I will most likely do an
accord and satisfaction (what you did is an accord and satisfaction),
but I need to determine how much accord will satisfy the obligation.


glassartist wrote:
I had a similar situation with plumbing. I had raw sewage under a rental. I
had a company come out. They said the line was broken and they'd have to
dig it out and replace it all. I researched the whole thing. The sewer
pipe runs 14' underground. They told me it would be $8,000 or more to do
the job. It all seemed to "smell wrong". I called another company. They
looked and said that some plumber had connected the toilet wrong and raw
sewage was just dumping from the toilet. (So much for that plumber!) The
first company billed me over $400. I wrote them a nice letter. I said I
appreciated their response to my need, but that their assessment was
incorrect. That the problem was a pipe that had not been glued properly
under the toilet. That had their man actually gone under the house he
might have noticed that. That I would give them the money for a call out
but not $400+ for a wrong diagnosis. I sent a check and the letter and
never heard another word. I'm sure were I to call they'd probably not
come, but I'd never call them.

I'd suggest a nice note. Telling the first guy that you had much more
significant problems than just the "dellee-bobber" and that an experienced
electrican friend came by and helped you out. That the whole job is now
completed and has passed inspection. Thank him and enclose a fair amount
via check. He can return any purchase and shopping, if he's a pro, should
be easy. (He should know what company carries what he needs and he should
know where the items are he needs.) He didn't have to actually install
anything and he'll get something. I'd estimate shopping time at 90
minutes and pay accordingly. (That should cover his travel time to the
store, too.) So I'd probably give him $99. What took five hours? If it
really took that long, I'd begrudgingly pay it. At least you saved the
rest. He's saying it took over FIVE hours to purchase parts. Maybe call a
company and check how available what he purchased is. And if he's
including parts, I'd make him take them back. If you have a contract with
him, you will owe him a fair amount; but things happen. I've had this come
up for me. I wish I had the job, but someone else will do it for less. I
bill my time and move on. I've only had one person stiff me and not pay
anything when we have a contract.

Explain that the check is for payment in full on invoice #123 (write on the
check, too.) and that should be that, especially if he cashes the check. It
is amazing what nerve some people have. They think that they can bill
ANYTHING. It takes a lot of hours for me to make that kind of money, so
seeing it go out for so little is urksome. Good luck.

++++++++++
KaCe