
Ariel of Austin, TX on Nov. 9, 2011
Satisfaction Rating: 1/5
On October 21st 2011, Michael sent their technician, Steve, to my residence to check my washing machine. I was in the house the whole duration of his visit. After testing he concluded that the control board of my machine is faulty. Although he brought with him his own control board but he never showed me my machine working when he installed his control board, even though I was in the house at the time. With my lack of knowledge at the time, I missed requesting that he show me the machine working with his control board. But he should have involved me in the diagnosis since I was just home and should have been his initiative. Anyway, Steve then said that the total cost of the control board plus service is $194.03 on top of the diagnosis fee of $81.19.
I was taken aback with the cost since working used washing machine on Craigslist just cost $150. So I said I can only pay him for his diagnosis of $81.19 by personal check. He issued me an invoice with account number **. I also thought that I also could get a cheaper control board online which I did. Also, I know I have the right not to purchase control board from them as long as the diagnosis was accurate since I paid for it. So I ordered a control board from ApplianceZone.com and also chatted with a technician named Kelly.
Based on the symptoms I related to her, Kelly confidently said that the issue is not with the control board but the Control panel is the one that is faulty. Kelly's diagnosis was different from Steve's but since Steve has personally checked my machine, I decided to purchase a control board. When the board arrived on Octpber 25th, I immediately installed it as its easy to install since I followed simple instructions how to install it myself. But when I installed the new control board it manifested the same issue as the original part.. So I called Steve over the phone and he said the new control board.
I purchased also faulty and that I have to replace it which I did. Then the second new control board arrived on November 8th and when I installed it, exactly same issue again manifested. That was then I suspected probably Steve misdiagnosed my Washing Machine. So I tried calling Depew the same day but wasnt able to reach Steve. Instead another guy named Kenneth answered the phone. He said that Steve has the right diagnosis but I insisted that I recalled Steve never showed me the washing machine working with his control board installed so I'm doubting he got the correct diagnosis.
Since it wasn't helping me at all, I decided to visit personally their store on November 8,th 2011 at 5933 Burnet Rd Austin TX, to request an audience with their manager. Then I met the manager named Michael ** who I believe is also the owner of the company. After introducing myself and explained the issue and told him that I wasnt satisfied with the service rendered by Steve because with two new control boards why is my machine still not working so I believe Steve got an incorrect diagnosis. I was a dissatisfied customer and I was hoping they would find a way to help me since I already paid them $81.19 but to my surprise, this Michael ** was so rude, his response was "We have done our job, you are on your own now.
We don't need your business. Good Bye" I said "Is this how you treat your customers? " he answered me "This is how I treat you".. I felt discriminated and insulted by his unprofessionalism. I couldn't imagine an owner of a business treating a customer like that. Before I left, I told him that I will report him to Whirlpool since they referred Depew to me and I would also report to the Texas Attorney General. He just said "Go ahead and do what you want to do. We have nothing to do with you; I couldn't believe we have a business owner like this here in Austin TX.
I really appreciate you helping me with this issue with Depew Appliance especially with this issue with their manager Michael Depew. I also demand refund of $81.19 for the diagnosis as they don't deserve to be paid and also they should pay me the cost of the control board $85.13. Lastly, I like to request that whatever license this company is holding must be reviewed as his dealing with me as customer is nothing short of discriminatory.