I can't understand how a company with so many negative and even scary local reviews can be rated A+. People are probably not aware of BBB ratings. Too bad. Bob Oliver should be out of this business long time ago.
In my story, I needed to replace a fireplace leaking gas valve. I started to shop around for a fixer. I only chose companies that provide free estimate. My first estimate was $450. It was high because the fireplace manufacturer was out of business for a long time. I looked for more opinions and called couple of other companies from our homeowners association vendors preferred list, including Calvert Heating and Cooling, which was known to me from my previous fireplace repair experience. So I called Calvert HVAC and the lady who answered said that the previous guy retired and the company was bought by Bob Oliver. My first and usual question was if they provided free estimates and she said "yes". It is important for the further story. I would not have gone with them without free estimate.
So she said "yes" and we set an appointment. Sometime later after looking at the valve Bob Oliver called me and said that the cost of valve and labor would be around $650 and that he was ready to do the work. Obviously, I said that I have a better estimate and I would go with the other company. At this point he became aggressive and said that he already ordered the valve and that no one else can do the job right except him. I said no. He was very mad and was yelling that I would come back to him anyway.
When I called back the first company (Fireplace and BBQ center), they said that they didn't have that estimate anymore (2 or 3 months since the first estimate) and needed to take a look at the fireplace again. When their technician came to look at it, he found out that the valve and surrounding parts were missing and the gas hose was just laying down. He was literally in shock and said that it was very inappropriate and unprofessional to leave the gas line like this. He said he needed the valve itself and other parts to do the estimate and order a new one.
I started to call Bob Oliver but he wouldn't return my calls. I gave him 5 or 6 calls and left numerous messages to call me back. Every time I spoke with one of two ladies (who were very nice BTW) and explained the situation. Finally I told one of them that he could not take the valve without letting me know and that he should bring the valve back to where he took it from, otherwise I would consider it stealing. After that he called me immediately and started yelling at me. I calmly said that I didn't even know that he took my valve and that I needed him to return it. He said that he knew I would call back and that I owed him for diagnostics (what diagnostics if the valve should be simply replaced?), so I needed to come to his place and pick up the valve. I told him that according to his receptionist, the estimate was free and that he needed to bring the valve back. He was disagreeing and was very rude during all conversation.
Meanwhile, I asked Fireplace and BBQ center to come again (this time not for free, of course) and look at my other unit's fireplace valve (which is the same as the other one) to figure out if they can order it without getting the valve stolen by Bob Oliver. The technician said that he now saw the valve but he would need some other parts that were taken by Bob Oliver along with the valve. I explained the whole situation to them and they suggested to call Bob Oliver themselves and request the valve (I really appreciated that). They called Bob Oliver and Bob Oliver said they could come and pick up the valve at his place. But when the technician came to his place, Bob Oliver said that he would return the valve only after he's paid for his estimate.
So, not only Bob Oliver has a bad professional record, but he is destroying the reputation of a good company (Calvert HVAC) and should be known to everybody as a dishonest and not recommended. As for Bob Oliver himself, I don't understand how such a person with very aggressive and rude mentality can work in the service sector. On my part, I will do everything to let people know about him and his attitude towards customer (even if they are only potential customers). I already talked to some of my friends handymen and landlords about Bob Oliver and at least two of them knew him and had similar experience with him.
I think, BBB should check Bob Oliver's local reviews (e.mg. Yelp) and reconsider Bob Oliver's rating. read more