I have a great plumber for heating issues. He is Randy Phillips with RDS Mechanical. He's from Trinidad and is extremely prompt and the prices are good. He just repaired a toilet and completely replaced the valves on some old steam radiators for $380 including parts and he & his electrical partner replaced the low water cutoff valve on my heater for $600 including parts.

His number: 848/702-3701 or 917/295-4679

Posted by: homerklese at December 3, 2008 5:47 PM in response to Question about heater

My father always applies the maxim "How would you feel about what you are doing today if it were to appear on the front page of the New York Times tomorrow?"

You should describe the person & situation accurately - good & bad. How else can other people make informed decisions. The notion that you should only say good things in life is strange, if that were the case we would never ever know about the bad work done. Everyone can get at least their mother to write something positive about them so if the internet were only positive reviews it would be impossible to discern good from bad.

As for the idea that nobody looks at bad reviews in determining who to work with I completely disagree. I needed a roof hatch replaced last week, I used Angie's List, I found a great contractor after reading many reviews and they did a great job. I just wrote them a sparkling review that explained all the good & bad I found in working with them (overwhelmingly good). That allows the next user to know what they're getting into. If this person did a great job but isn't calling you back now about a small problem. Say that - maybe it will matter to someone and maybe it won't to others but it's honest.

I get the sense that you think it may be your own fault and thus you are hesitant to say: J'Accuse!

:)

Posted by: homerklese at December 3, 2008 5:43 PM in response to HUGE Problem!! help!

I think Homerklese is absolutely right. Contractors only give you names and numbers of the people who are going to give glowing reviews (or are somehow related or paid off)They are never going to tell you about the problem jobs. Forums such as this are the only way to inform and protect your fellow man--that at reporting the ahole to the attorney general, the city, the better business bureau etc. The reason why contractors can get away with this sort of thing is because everyone is too afraid to call them out on it. That said, its important to be honest about the good and bad in any relationship.

Posted by: HomeSweetstuy at December 4, 2008 8:42 AM in response to HUGE Problem!! help!