American Home Shield (Good and Bad)

[OkieBill]

Hello All,

If this discussion has come up before let me know...

American Home Shield has been a benefit to my business since I am just starting out...

It gets me into 2-3 peoples homes a day which has been great for building my customer base and I have already recieved a few referals to non-AHS customers.

All of the real estate agents in my area have started selling these home warranty policies into their home sales.

I could see doing this for a year or two to try to build a good customer base.



Any thoughts on this?

[Service Guy]

Hello All,

If this discussion has come up before let me know...

American Home Shield has been a benefit to my business since I am just starting out...

It gets me into 2-3 peoples homes a day which has been great for building my customer base and I have already recieved a few referals to non-AHS customers.

All of the real estate agents in my area have started selling these home warranty policies into their home sales.

I could see doing this for a year or two to try to build a good customer base.



Any thoughts on this?

My first thought...do they pay enough?:scratchhead:

Around here they want to pay as little as possible, and only the lowest scum who do cheap, shoddy work seem to work for them...maybe my view is skewed but that has been my experience with them.

If they actually paid decent and in time, I'd work for them too.

[Ace Sewer]

I hate home warranties. They never want to pay. I get called for a clog, clear the clog, then get caught in a battle between the homeowner and the warranty company about who is paying. I won't even deal with it anymore; I put the facts on the invoice, explain to them I'm being paid to clear the clog, not spend an hour on the phone with the deadbeat warranty company rep to save them the bill, and ask them to pay me directly and fight the battle themselves.

[OkieBill]

Rates in my area are pretty low for the most part... We all run at about $60 per hour.

I negotiated my prices with them so it is not to bad though I do make better $ on my own calls.

All work helps pay the bills...

My thought is that Exposure + Good customer service will equal success.

I could not do it full time and make a living that is for sure but they have pretty liberal guidlines for scheduling the work so I can normally get it into my schedule without much pain.

[Ace Sewer]

Dang did you hit a sore spot. I once spent 4 hours to do a decent job on a 4" line from a 2" cleanout when I could have been out in an hour by pulling a toilet. The HO had sussed out their policy and the warranty would not pay for pulling a toilet, had to use a cleanout. So dumb. Idiot rep said they would pay if I could do it from the cleanout, but not if I pulled a toilet. Cost them an extra charge for the camera and more yet for the extra time. I should have just pulled the toilet and lied, but I don't lie anymore.

[ToUtahNow]

We did home warranty work for a while but the paperwork was too much work for the pay. Eventually we only did second opinions for them when a plumber would claim there was a slab leak or broken house drain. That said I do have a guy who use to work for me who now has a business which only works for home warranty companies. He is a one man shop and does zero advertising. Because of the money he is saving not chasing work he makes a pretty good living with the warranty companies.

Mark

[OkieBill]

I have pretty good luck dealing with the Company Reps on the phone getting The authorization..

Paperwork for me is my standard company ticket which I keep. All of my billing is done online and the money for the calls is deposited in my company account weekly ( less the service call fees I collect).

I'm not a great fan of this business model ( all insurance is a scam IMO)but it has been a benefit to my small company and may be a help to some other small start-up:)

[DuckButter]

I literally have a completed application sitting on my desk for a home warranty co, from 3 months ago.
A friend referred me, told me it was steady work year round and I automatically get an hours pay even if it's a simple packing nut.
The catch was what an hours pay is to them vs me.

Sometimes self employment is stressful, I have seen a week with no work...then 12 hour days for two weeks straight.

I was starting to like the idea of steady work doing small jobs with a guaranteed minimum amount just for showing up.
I got the application, filled it out...then called the area rep.

Within 5 minutes I counted 6 times I was told that the lower my prices were, the more likely I was to get the work.
It occurred to me that every one of the guys I'd be in competition with was probably told the same thing.
I might then be cornered into using cheap stock, rushing through jobs and getting into habits I like to avoid.

It also occured to me that the only guys that might want to do business on those terms would likely be guys who might be more likely to work for food to get their foot in the door for self employment.

I may very well be completely wrong on all counts, but when I hear "keep your prices low" too many times, it gives me pause to consider what I'm getting into.

The application is all filled out, I might try it, I have nothing to lose.
Work hasn't slowed enough for me to get wrapped up in something new, but with the rumors abound about the failing economy, I won't completely shut the door either.

[PLUMBER RICK]

american home shield is the biggest joke out here. just about everyone i've worked for that had this co. has cancelled their policy.

the scam is that they are the same parent co. as rescue rooter.

there is always a catch and typically the work is not covered. if it's covered it's always multiple trips.

if you really want to hear the horror stories, i can list some from first hand experience.

the co. is a joke, the plumbers they send out are a joke and most customers that use me have canceled their policy.

this is not the same as the aaa auto club.

rick.

[Service Guy]

Within 5 minutes I counted 6 times I was told that the lower my prices were, the more likely I was to get the work.
It occurred to me that every one of the guys I'd be in competition with was probably told the same thing.
I might then be cornered into using cheap stock, rushing through jobs and getting into habits I like to avoid.

I won't ever be working for them based on this. I am on the higher side of the spectrum, I pride myself on quality parts, workmanship and customer service...not on being cheap. Like I said before, around here it seems only the really low-ball hacks are willing to work for them. They are not interested in quality, all they care about is paying the least amount possible in their contracts.

[rick1643]

My first thought...do they pay enough?:scratchhead:

Around here they want to pay as little as possible, and only the lowest scum who do cheap, shoddy work seem to work for them...maybe my view is skewed but that has been my experience with them.

If they actually paid decent and in time, I'd work for them too.


My experience has been with Old Republic on several occasions. While on a job once I was on the phone with Old Republic getting authorization and they told me that the plumber on record was Idyllwild Plumbing. Imagine their suprise when I informed them that he has been dead for two years and is not accepting calls right now. Since then they have been trying to recruit me, sent me a price list for what they will pay for what is done, and an application. An added incentive for expediting payment within 10 days was to take a percentage of the invoice off, otherwise payment was 30 days or more.......no thanks. I've told the homeowners that I do not deal with them, if they want me to do the job I will deal with them, and they can deal with the insurance. I've had no problem doing it this way.......Rick (TOPR)

[OkieBill]

I think that once I have a decent customer base American Home shield will go by the wayside for me they are in no way a great thing but have been a necessary evil.

Every little bit is helping get my business through that first critical year or two. ( I will do some work for food but not all of it)

I think the experience is worth the lower than average $. My truck is out there people are seeing me, parts houses are giving me referrals.

For me it is about gaining the trust and respect of the people in who's homes I work.

I'm from a small town (20K) in the bible belt and trust and name recignition is everything here.
:)

[DuckButter]

Every little bit is helping get my business through that first critical year or two. ( I will do some work for food but not all of it)

I think the experience is worth the lower than average $. My truck is out there people are seeing me, parts houses are giving me referrals.

For me it is about gaining the trust and respect of the people in who's homes I work.

:)

I didn't mean to insult, I took my share of hits when I started up, still do on occasion.
Ya gotta do what ya gotta do to build clients.
Just be careful not to get in the habit of shopping around for the cheapest water heaters, disposals or faucets.
Trouble is, in an area as small as yours, all it takes is one cheap water heater to leak or fail after a year and they tell two friends, who tell two friends...and so on.

[DUNBAR]

I think that once I have a decent customer base American Home shield will go by the wayside for me they are in no way a great thing but have been a necessary evil.

Every little bit is helping get my business through that first critical year or two. ( I will do some work for food but not all of it)

I think the experience is worth the lower than average $. My truck is out there people are seeing me, parts houses are giving me referrals.

For me it is about gaining the trust and respect of the people in who's homes I work.

I'm from a small town (20K) in the bible belt and trust and name recognition is everything here.
:)


I'll sell my bodily fluids before I associate my good company name with the likes of these insurance moguls.

When I was a service plumber for AHS for another company, the people that had that insurance were as retarded as the company I was dealing with.

You don't get paid to sit and converse back and forth on what's covered or not, you're ultimately the bad guy no matter if you came in the door with wings on your back; you're part of the situation.


My first 16 months in business was tough, but I minimized all expenditures, sacrificed all use of luxury items like eating out and the like, sold inventory on ebay for the items I could get away with not needing.


Those companies can make you look like a crook real quick. Had a couple people tell me AFTER the work was done, they wasn't going to pay, you personally can't do anything because you're the worker bee for the company that put you through the door.

Be a Walmart Greeter and make income to make ends meet; a lot more respectable in the dignity and honor gammut regarding your profession.


Should be a shining example that no plumbing company stays with these bottom feeders for long, they suck them dry and tax time will show you didn't make money.

[saysflushable]

I spent way to much time on the phone on hold waiting for approval to do the work that I often didn't get. They also wanted me to drive further then I wanted to. Sometimes the jobs and pay worked well. I tried it and decided it wasn't worth it. It wasn't the worst thing in the world.

I like doing warrenty work for Bradford White and Reem, But I do have to seperate myself from being an employee of either company.
Customer starts complaining about a new water heater not working and I have to explain I'm the independent plumber they sent out to fix it. All in all it's not bad.

[rick1643]

I think that once I have a decent customer base American Home shield will go by the wayside for me they are in no way a great thing but have been a necessary evil.

Every little bit is helping get my business through that first critical year or two. ( I will do some work for food but not all of it)

I think the experience is worth the lower than average $. My truck is out there people are seeing me, parts houses are giving me referrals.

For me it is about gaining the trust and respect of the people in who's homes I work.

I'm from a small town (20K) in the bible belt and trust and name recignition is everything here.
:)


20k.......hell, thats the "big city"......my town is 2K. When you run into customers at the grocery store or the post office, which happens daily, they better like the job you did for them......Rick

[All Clear Sewer]

I think that once I have a decent customer base American Home shield will go by the wayside for me they are in no way a great thing but have been a necessary evil.

Every little bit is helping get my business through that first critical year or two. ( I will do some work for food but not all of it)

I think the experience is worth the lower than average $. My truck is out there people are seeing me, parts houses are giving me referrals.

For me it is about gaining the trust and respect of the people in who's homes I work.

I'm from a small town (20K) in the bible belt and trust and name recignition is everything here.
:)

If you want your trucks to be seen then park em where they are seen. Being a lowballer is no way to make it! If thats all your worth then have at it. You can all ways go down in price but you can never come up ;) Charge your price and stick with it! Dont be the lowballer in the hood :thumbup2:

[Service Guy]

If you want your trucks to be seen then park em where they are seen. Being a lowballer is no way to make it! If thats all your worth then have at it. You can all ways go down in price but you can never come up ;) Charge your price and stick with it! Dont be the lowballer in the hood :thumbup2:

I agree, I don't think being cheap really helps get business...at least not the kind of business I want. Plus, if your prices are low, you won't have the funds to advertise to your potential new customers. The busier companies in this town are among th emore expensive. They are busy because they charge more and can afford the best marketing. Go figure!

[OkieBill]

All Clear and Service Guy,

I never thought of it in that way, Right now my prices are in line with the other plumbers in town ( except for the homeshield calls) so I in no way lowball but I see your point about working for peanuts and being to cheap

I actually went and sat down with the owner of the Lennox business and the Goodman business ( HVAC) here in my town to introduce myself to them and talk about pricing, I never did that for plumbing but did learn their rates over time and adjusted mine accordingly ( I was lowballing unintentionally on my plumbing jobs for my first 2 months).

I try not to let other plumbers get shopped as long as the price is not skyhigh, If someone is getting ripped off I will give a price otherwise I will tell them the price they have is fair and recommend the guy who gave the first estimate rather than cut a throat for a few dollars...

I give everyone my best work, I price it to the market, I pay my bills on time and I sleep great at night... A guy can't really ask for more than that except for maybe enough $ to get that K-60 that Plumberick brags about:D

[PLUMBER RICK]

I give everyone my best work, I price it to the market, I pay my bills on time and I sleep great at night... A guy can't really ask for more than that except for maybe enough $ to get that K-60 that Plumberick brags about:D

that k-60 almost scalped me yesterday:eek:

i think the monkey in the tree didn't like the cable up there and threw it down on me. next time i need to make sure the monkey is in his cage before i pull that stunt again:D

if you afford to purchase the k-60, i know it will make money for you. my first one was an ebay machine and it was complete with cable and rear guide hose. most on ebay are the machine only with no cable or hose.

i do charge a machine charge on my drain cleaning equipment. so at the end of the year i can track and see what that machine has generated in charges. this is what pays for it's cables, cutters, upkeep and it's younger brothers:D

the machine charge is still less than if the person rented a machine for 2 hours. so there's never an issue if they ask. typically my customers never ask and just pay the bill as it's all broken down on the printed computerized invoice at the job.

if you can make it to the roundup, i'll show you how i school the drum guys:D

rick.

[DuckButter]

If you want your trucks to be seen then park em where they are seen. Being a lowballer is no way to make it! If thats all your worth then have at it. You can all ways go down in price but you can never come up ;) Charge your price and stick with it! Dont be the lowballer in the hood :thumbup2:

I think we all remember our first few jobs, where we walk away with crap for money...that point where the customer writes the check and both you and they feel an odd uncomfortable, embarrassingly quiet moment....as if you were a cheap date and the night is over.

[OkieBill]

That is so true Duckbutter:D

[gear junkie]

If you're starting out and have no real customer base, I see 3 options:

1. Keep your standards high and pay lots of money to advertise.
2. Keep your standards high and hope your business will grow.
3. Get your face out there with an insurance co. essentially letting them pay you for advertising and leave them once you're established.

I would go with #3. Can't speak for anyone else but I can say I've worked for some of the most crooked, bad people. I learned alot from them and left them while maintaining my ethics and workmanship. They did pay the bills. Would I have liked to have worked for a reputable company that paid as well? Sure but everyone has to start somewhere. If I left the Navy today and started my business tommorrow, I would honestly use american home shield. I could swallow this indignity alot better than telling the wife that we can only afford chicken and ramen for the next 2 weeks.

And yes, the company I work with now uses them so I do have a realistic idea of dealing with an insurance company.

[DuckButter]

If I left the Navy today and started my business tommorrow, I would honestly use american home shield. I could swallow this indignity alot better than telling the wife that we can only afford chicken and ramen for the next 2 weeks.

True that, I said it earlier on this thread, I took my hits to get off the ground.
What I would STRONGLY suggest is DON'T allow low budget jobs to become habit.
Time has a way of passing by, and what was supposed to be temporary sometimes becomes longterm.

[Service Guy]

1. Keep your standards high and pay lots of money to advertise.

This is the route I am going....its extremely risky but is so far working. I have actually walked away from jobs even when its really slow to keep my standards high. Thats just how I roll.:mcrider:

[DuckButter]

This is the route I am going....its extremely risky but is so far working. I have actually walked away from jobs even when its really slow to keep my standards high. Thats just how I roll.:mcrider:

We could go on for hours on that one, swapping stories and.
You might make less now, but one thing to consider is that over the next few years the customers you service now will be calling you back.
They'll have the same expectations.

[Service Guy]

We could go on for hours on that one, swapping stories and.
You might make less now, but one thing to consider is that over the next few years the customers you service now will be calling you back.
They'll have the same expectations.

Thats the plan....:)

[mtnman1100]

Thanks guys, another great post for us biz starters. I remember I was forced to pull a AHS call for "The company" I work for (not for long) it earned me $5.00 in service volume. Ouch I think I made $0.35 that day.

[MPMGinAL]

I saw your post and had to respond. I am new to the forum, but have some input on the insurance companies.

AHS and Old Republic are customers of mine and have been for several years. The thing that you have to remeber is how to word your reports and do your billing. In my demographic area they want you to keep an average invoice of 200 dollars. After working for them a while request to your CR that he/she raise your autho limit to 250 if its not already there. Then at the end of a week when doing your billing adjust invoices individually to accomodate the average. For example - you go to 3 homes.
#1 toilet not flushing. stoppages typically aren't covered, but all you do is plunge and everything works great. You have 45 min inveseted in job.
#2 packing nut on valve is leaking, staining dropped cieling tile. You tighten nut and HO is happy. You have 1 hr invested in job.
#3 leaking water heater. don't get discouraged call in report. Get Autho for heater. Don't forget to charge the NC costs of adding a TXT or disposal.

Now its time for billing. Remember the only thing they care about is average invoice amts. Job #1 and 2 bill out just shy of 200. #3 will probably be about 450 (40 Gal Elec).

You've collected/billed about a 1000 dollars. 850 to AHS. 150 to #3 for TXT and other various NC costs. probably invested a half a days labor. Not bad anywhere. If you see that your average is getting to high, send a bill for 0 dollars. Yes, 0 dollars. a 0 averaged in will drop it significantly and you won't lose any sleep over tightening a packing nut for 55. Alot of plumbers can only focus on one job at a time, but if you can look at whole scheme of things you will be quite happy with AHS and OR. Just be sure to push for that higher autho limit.:cool:

[Service Guy]

I saw your post and had to respond. I am new to the forum, but have some input on the insurance companies.

AHS and Old Republic are customers of mine and have been for several years. The thing that you have to remeber is how to word your reports and do your billing. In my demographic area they want you to keep an average invoice of 200 dollars. After working for them a while request to your CR that he/she raise your autho limit to 250 if its not already there. Then at the end of a week when doing your billing adjust invoices individually to accomodate the average. For example - you go to 3 homes.
#1 toilet not flushing. stoppages typically aren't covered, but all you do is plunge and everything works great. You have 45 min inveseted in job.
Plunging rarely works at all.
#2 packing nut on valve is leaking, staining dropped cieling tile. You tighten nut and HO is happy. You have 1 hr invested in job.
I don't just tighten nuts. I would replace the valve and supply at least and also recommend other repairs if they were needed
#3 leaking water heater. don't get discouraged call in report. Get Autho for heater. Don't forget to charge the NC costs of adding a TXT or disposal.

Now its time for billing. Remember the only thing they care about is average invoice amts. Job #1 and 2 bill out just shy of 200. #3 will probably be about 450 (40 Gal Elec). Supplying and installing a new water heater will cost a lot more than this for me, especially with a permit and expansion tank.

You've collected/billed about a 1000 dollars. 850 to AHS. 150 to #3 for TXT and other various NC costs. probably invested a half a days labor. Not bad anywhere. If you see that your average is getting to high, send a bill for 0 dollars. Yes, 0 dollars. a 0 averaged in will drop it significantly and you won't lose any sleep over tightening a packing nut for 55. Alot of plumbers can only focus on one job at a time, but if you can look at whole scheme of things you will be quite happy with AHS and OR. Just be sure to push for that higher autho limit.:cool:

Well, its seems to be working for you. No way I would do things this way though. You've found your niche, but many of us don't fit into the AHS niche. I do quality work and give my customer's quality plumbing service on every call. I don't just run in and tighten something and run out. To each their own.

[MPMGinAL]

In response to giving your every customer great service and not just running in and tightening a nut and running out. You have to remember that in this case AHS is your customer. Not the HO directly. Of course, cutting out that 10 year old gate valve and replacing it with a new ball valve with your company name printed on the handle would be the best repair, but your customer (AHS) wants the problem resolved as cheaply as possible. Even if that is just tightening a packing nut. The end result is the same. HO can replace thier ceiling tile and know that the new one won't get stained by a loose packing nut dripping water on it. Bear in mind also, your warranty given to AHS or OR is only 30-60 days.

[buyfield]

MPMGinAL:
I don't get it. If your invoice average is supposed to be 200, and you bill AHS 850 for 3 calls, your invoice average is $283 per call. Which is $83 per call too much.

[MPMGinAL]

Sorry about the confusion. You would have to assume that a wh changeout would be a smalle percentage than 1 in 3. probably closer to 1 in 10 or 15. You just have to adjust accordingly. The warranty co. has the ability to look and see how many big ticket items you had versus smaller as well and has an understanding that if you get 5 wh's in a row that your invoice amt will be high. But over a period of time it will average back out (Quarterly, yearly, etc.). The point i was trying to make was not to be afraid of the low ball rates they want you to give to do change-outs. You can make up your money elsewhere.

[DuckButter]

The point i was trying to make was not to be afraid of the low ball rates they want you to give to do change-outs. You can make up your money elsewhere.

Thats pretty much what I was told, there are numerous loopholes that disqualify the warranty coverage and you wind up billing the customer direct.

That was the part that has me concerned..I'm still on the fence, but generally don't jump into thinghs without taking my time to consider all variables.

[MPMGinAL]

Thats good to consider. I don't make practice of trying to overwhelm the HO with a bunch of not-coverded cost. I once got into an argument with one of thier autho reps because i told him that a tub/shower valve needed to be replaced. He tried to convince me that it was not a valve, but a faucet and faucets aren't covered. Now can you clarify the difference between a tub and shower valve and a tub and shower faucet? They can be a little scandalous at times. I charge them a minimum of two hours at sixty an hour. Thats whether the work is covered, not covered, takes 10 min. or 2 hours. You know as well as i do that if you spend 2 hours on a plumbing service call you have done alot. I don't think it would work that well for a co running 5 or 6 trucks, but 1 to 2 it does good for me. It can become a billing nightmare though as someone has to sit and dtermine what to bill and bill. I also think that if i only did plumbing i might have to re-consider. I also do HVAC for them. I charge them more for capacitors, contactors, transformers, etc. than most flat rate co's. 200 bucks to change out a cap or contactor loaded with ants si good money.

[SlimTim]

AHS is a Memphis based company. The company I started with did tons of their work. When I went out on my own I applied and became a slave as well. If I could have charged for on-the-phone-time i would be a rich (well, richer) man.

At that time they had Rescue Rooter, Servicemaster, and Neighborhood plumbing, so apparently I would get only the really sh***y work.

I would also get called for the very late after hours emergencies.

I started billing them my normal rates and they stopped calling.

I can't think of one customer I serviced through AHS that I still have today.

If you have to have their work-keep it below 10 or 15% of your total volume or they will jerk you around just because they know they can. Sort of like a Walmart vendor.

[Service Guy]

Slimtim, I like you already!

[SlimTim]

Finally!

[DUNBAR]

Typical visit inside a AHS covered homeowner:

HO: "Our insurance covers this repair and all we owe you is our deductible which is $50."

Plbr: "Ma'am, you're insurance only covers the clog, not the repairs to the pipe."

HO: "Well, that's not what it says in our insurance policy"

Plbr: "I'll have to contact AHS and find out what is covered and what isn't."


15-20 minutes talking back and forth with AHS, homeowner, my boss, back to talking to AHS, homeowner, then boss wondering what is taking so long

Plbr: "Ma'am, your insurance company (AHS) is stating they will cover the cost of part of the job and you are responsible for the other."

HO: "I need to call my husband to discuss this matter with him."

Plbr: "Okay, I'll be out at my truck and let me know what the decision is."

HO: "Okay"

Another solid 10 minutes passes by, I don't do anything but sit in the truck and tell the boss that I can't do anything until I get an okay from the homeowner.

Homeowner comes to the truck, cordless phone in hand, dog is barking entire time and kid needs to be locked in a closet

HO: "Okay I talked to my husband and he asked if he comes home in a few minutes if he could remove the pipe and pick up some materials from the hardware store if you could just take care of the clog...."

Plumber sits in awe, silence realizing the homeowner just figured out a way to manipulate the situation where all you're getting for about 2.5 hours of frustration and dealing with the ****ing idiot at AHS for the 2494th time, figuring we're leaving with $50 of the probably $120 earned, not including the hoops to jump through on the paperwork side

Plbr: "I have to call my boss to see if it is okay."

Plumber calls boss to see what he thinks of the situation, saying no means you leave empty handed and you have to at this point chuck it up as a lost cause to make up for 2.5 hours of total ignorance

Plbr: "Okay, my boss said that we can do that"

HO: "Okay"

Plumber and homeowner works together, fix drain and remove clog but in the process of doing the job, another problem on the same drain line shows up 10' downstream.


Plbr: "Looks like you need to call AHS and see if they will cover this problem too, this is worse than what we just fixed."

HO: "Will the $50 cover this expense too since you're still here from the first repair?"

Plbr: "Don't think so but I'm sure AHS will state yay or nay."

Plumber spends another 10-15 minutes on phone, waiting for answers, boss is getting more than pissed because calls are stacking up, ones that make money outside of AHS. AHS calls back and states that not only will they not cover it, but the homeowner is liable for the work to be done.

Plbr: "Whelp, AHS said you're not covered on this repair."

HO: "Why not?! It's the same kind of work that was done on the same pipe!"

Plbr: "I understand but I'm not making the rules, your insurance is."

HO: "That is total bull****! I'm going to call AHS and find out why it isn't covered."

Plumber once again finds a way to go back to the truck, waiting for the moment of whether or not these idiots are going to have us do the work. At this point you are already in the sick feeling mode that it wouldn't matter if you just found out you won the lottery; you're in a bad situation because you're a third wheel of ridiculous system.

Homeowner once again makes that stupid trot like movement to your truck, you know what she's going to tell you and does...

HO: "Well I talked to AHS and apparently it's not going to be covered and I think my husband and the neighbor are going to get the stuff to fix it this weekend."


Plbr: ....................

Plumber leaves, twice as much time invested in a job that if it wasn't tied to an insurance company would of been short sweet and to the point. But since the boss made a retarded decision to pick up the work since no other plumbing company was willing to pick up this fantastic opportunity, the company took the work unknowingly not understanding how difficult the dealings are with a 3rd party that has more exclusions than items that are accepted.

Customer that was scheduled, one that was a full regular paying customer calls and cancels because YOU was sitting wasting your time with a situation thats useless and that full pay customer calls a plumber with a better sense of judgement. Yes. Put that in your pipe and smoke it because that's what dealing with insurance companies are all about. If you can't cut it as plumber grabbing you're own work, then those insurance play to win and lose is for you.

People DO NOT usually obtain your services outside of those systems as you're the puppet most times to the game.......unless of course you're willing to work as cheap as you did on the side when some of the authorizations got declined. Then, who are working for, the moment or the future of your biz?

Someone that knows the difference that wrote the above does, I lived it through working for someone else and I got sick and tired of hearing my dispatcher getting pissed along with always complaining of the massive paperwork the whole relationship brought on, the time delay in getting paid and the kickouts when there was a discrepancy on your bill or a dispute coming back through the homeowner.......which was more common than most who condone this garbage will admit.


GOOD LUCK

[ToUtahNow]

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/insurance/am_home.html

http://www.syix.com/emu/html/ahs.html

[DUNBAR]

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/insurance/am_home.html

http://www.syix.com/emu/html/ahs.html



^^^^

If this post doesn't provide enough clarity to what both sides experience in dealing with AHS, including my little rant.....

[Service Guy]

My feelings about home warranty companies: :shakehead: :trash-him: