A whirlpool repairman came to my house August 26th 2008. My Maytag stackable washer was not rinsing properly.
His first words were that he is not proficient in repairing Maytags but Whirlpool appliances. Then why, I ask, was he sent to my house? When I placed the service call, I had to give the Model and Serial number to the call centre. From what he told me, Whirlpool had just taken over Maytag and he is now expected to repair both makes.
His 'service' (.25 hours) consisted of turning the knob on my washer several times and listening to the sounds it made.
After that, he suggested I needed a new motor (what?!?!?), had me go online to find the part I needed to order and left. Before he left my house, however, I offered to pay him right then and there for the service call, though admittedly no real service was rendered.
I did not commit to buying the part and told him I would call and advise. In the meantime, I fixed my own (#)@&$ washer (the hose was kinked - something I had pointed out to him and asked him about). Within an hour I called back, quoted my service call # and told the call-taker that no follow-up was required and that I would not be purchasing a part.
Then, on January 20th 2009 I received a bill in the mail. The bill was attached to a form letter which is a photocopy, has no telephone contact information and includes an apology for "failing to submit an invoice to you more promptly and for any inconvenience the delay may have caused." It addresses me as 'Dear consumer'. The attached bill, ripped off from a larger sheet and dirty (who does business like that?) is for $88.08 (taxes incl.) for .25 labour hours.
I am disputing 2 things: why was an unqualified repair man sent to my house in the first place and why did it take them 6 months to bill me? After a month or so had passed, I figured that the repairman didn't bother to submit his call information.
I called the call centre and spoke to a consumer affairs representative out of Tennessee. She said she has no information on why it took them so long to bill me, but that I was responsible for the bill. She suggested I send a letter to the address on the bill.
Oh, did I mention that the letter in no way mentions how to make a payment?
I am about to author a letter to them. Any advice would help on what to include in my letter.
Pookie
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
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