The technician just left my house, and I could have bought a NEW dishwasher for the cost of service!
After the $180 for the "Diagnosis Fee," they charged an additional $235 to fix it!
The "technician" (who looked 12-years-old), spent 15 minutes diagnosing the problem, and another 30 minutes installing the part. Labor costs totaled $245 for 45 minutes on site! At $6 per MINUTE, my friend--a back surgeon--thinks he may have entered the wrong line of work!
I believe Cape Cod Appliance's business model is: "Get every penny from customers while you can, because we do not expect any repeat business!"
Do yourself a favor: do not give them the initial call, and you will already be ahead!
With Christmas just 2 days away, and a houseful of people filtering in for an extended holiday stay, it was a less than opportune time for the dishwasher to take a vacation. The dishwasher being, I think, the only appliance for which we don't have a service plan, I turned to the internet.
Cape Cod Appliance was the first return on my search. Their website states very predominately, "Same Day Service." (At those rates, why wouldn't it?) In all fairness, I was told about a same day up-charge when I called, but the inclusions and conditions were not outlined. With the thoughts--a nightmare, really--of Christmas dinner being served on paper plates, I agreed.
At the conclusion of his diagnosis (or best guess) of what the problem was, the technician promptly collected a check for $200! $180 for the service call and a $20 deposit for the part, which was supposed to be over-nighted. He left with $200 and gave us a promise of a call the next day to install the part. I was moderately impressed that the part would come in, and be installed on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve came and went without a phone call, but luckily the dishwasher limped through. On Friday, 27 Dec, they called to say the part was in, and scheduled a Monday appointment. (It was the holidays, and the dishwasher continued to work, so we weren't too concerned about the delays.) They would call with a firm appointment time Monday morning. Living up to their word, they called at 8:20 Monday morning, but gave me a 10-2 window. (Clearly, our opinions of "Firm" appointment times differ.)
When the technician presented the bill (yes, I was sitting down), I began asking questions. I wanted to understand what I had previously paid for, and what I was currently paying for. (I feel that is my right as a customer. I'm funny that way.) While I was in the process of speaking, he was already answering. (He must get this a lot.) So when he finished I began asking my follow-up. Again, he took a "why wait for the question, when I'm all ready with the answer" approach. When I again pointed out that he interrupted me, and started again to ask a very legitimate question, he said I could call the office.
I did. I got the answering service, and am currently waiting on a return call.
We have recently completed an extensive renovation to our Cape Cod home. We have used--almost exclusively--small, local contractors. Overall, their attention-to-detail, craftsmanship, and genuine concern to "get it right" was exceptional--far exceeding our expectations.
Cape Cod Appliance falls far short of that criteria. I am willing to pay for the services I contract for and receive. But I do have a certain expectation level for production, respect, and customer service--in short, value. There is no value choosing Cape Cod Appliance. My recommendation to you, as I will do in the future, is to look elsewhere for ALL your appliance service needs! read more