Kitchen Gas Appliances - Gas shut off valve?
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TimH
02-01-08, 06:17 PM
So the gas man came to my mother's house & replaced a shutoff valve for the gas stove she has. This is her stove in her kitchen. The valve is just a 1/2" flare fitting ball valve. The gas company originally charged her $197.53 for this vavle :eek: That is just for the valve not the installation. I called them up to complain. They called today and said they made a mistake and it was only $60 foir the valve. Am I mistaken or isn't that still an awful lot of money for just a ball valve? Thanks Tim
mbk3
02-01-08, 08:34 PM
Probably under $20 for a ball style at a hardware store. I'm not going to try and explain their cost either way.
TimH
02-02-08, 02:44 AM
They also charged her $150 to install it. That I can see because of liability but to charge $197 for a $15 ball valve sounds like they are trying to screw over an old lady. Even $60 is alot. What ever happened to honesty?
hankhill6018
02-02-08, 07:49 AM
As already been stated, the valve could have been purchased at the local hardware store for under $20. In fact, it's listed on this website for $10.09! Some companies like to mark up prices on the steep side.
What was the cost for the installation of the valve?
What was the cost for the installation of the valve?
TimH
02-02-08, 10:43 AM
As already been stated, the valve could have been purchased at the local hardware store for under $20. In fact, it's listed on this website for $10.09! Some companies like to mark up prices on the steep side.
What was the cost for the installation of the valve?
$150 for install. The point to me is there has to be max mark up for something like this.
What was the cost for the installation of the valve?
$150 for install. The point to me is there has to be max mark up for something like this.
hankhill6018
02-02-08, 06:34 PM
OK, so if I got this right, you paid $150 for the labor of the gas shut off and $60 for part? There has to be something else going on there!
Most of the gas companies in my area (including one's I've worked for) would have charged 1 hour labor (minimum service charge) which is approx $85.00 plus the cost of the valve (with a mild markup) which is, say $25.00 for the sake of argument.
Doing the math, that's half the price you paid. Something is not right. But then again, I don't have to tell you that.
Most of the gas companies in my area (including one's I've worked for) would have charged 1 hour labor (minimum service charge) which is approx $85.00 plus the cost of the valve (with a mild markup) which is, say $25.00 for the sake of argument.
Doing the math, that's half the price you paid. Something is not right. But then again, I don't have to tell you that.
TimH
02-03-08, 06:21 AM
Ok so up till now I have been going on memory. I have the original bill in my hand.
Labor 1.75 hrs @ $90/hr = $157.50
Parts 1/2 ball valve = $197.52
My mother literally called me up crying. So I called up the gas company and said you must have made a mistake on the price of the valve. It is a 1/2" ball valve that I can get at my local HVAC store for $11 ( I went to the store & priced it ) The valve really only needed to be 3/8" but I imagine 1/2" was what they had on the truck so maybe a wee bit more in price plus a couple of reducers. On the invoice they call the valve "Control Gas Valve 1/2 MV. Big name for a 1/2" ball valve. No other valves between tank & stove so no mistaking it. After 3 weeks of calling and the serv ice manager talking it over with his superior, they reduced the price of the valve to $60. I said to my mother they are still screwing her. She is afraid they won't service her if I keep making waves. I said there are other gas companies and we'll go to one of them. My next inclination is to call a consumer protection agancy but thats not really the avenue I want to take.
So do you think I'm wrong being mad about this charge?
Labor 1.75 hrs @ $90/hr = $157.50
Parts 1/2 ball valve = $197.52
My mother literally called me up crying. So I called up the gas company and said you must have made a mistake on the price of the valve. It is a 1/2" ball valve that I can get at my local HVAC store for $11 ( I went to the store & priced it ) The valve really only needed to be 3/8" but I imagine 1/2" was what they had on the truck so maybe a wee bit more in price plus a couple of reducers. On the invoice they call the valve "Control Gas Valve 1/2 MV. Big name for a 1/2" ball valve. No other valves between tank & stove so no mistaking it. After 3 weeks of calling and the serv ice manager talking it over with his superior, they reduced the price of the valve to $60. I said to my mother they are still screwing her. She is afraid they won't service her if I keep making waves. I said there are other gas companies and we'll go to one of them. My next inclination is to call a consumer protection agancy but thats not really the avenue I want to take.
So do you think I'm wrong being mad about this charge?
hankhill6018
02-03-08, 07:43 AM
No, you are not wrong about the charges. They screwed up.
I suspected that they charged you for a gas control valve as opposed to a shut off valve. A gas control valve (1/2 MV should be 1/2 volt or 500 MV). THis is the control on a furnace or water heater that the burner is attached to. $200 is about the right price for that.
A shut off valve (with 1/2 inch connections) is what your mom had replaced. Even with markup it should not be $60.
I suspect that they dropped the original $200 to $60 still thinking that the tech replaced a gas control valve.
The 1.75 hours labor I wouldn't put up a fight about not knowing what the tech had to do. For example, if he was looking for the source of a gas odor and replaced the valve 2 hours @ $90/hour is realistic.
I suspected that they charged you for a gas control valve as opposed to a shut off valve. A gas control valve (1/2 MV should be 1/2 volt or 500 MV). THis is the control on a furnace or water heater that the burner is attached to. $200 is about the right price for that.
A shut off valve (with 1/2 inch connections) is what your mom had replaced. Even with markup it should not be $60.
I suspect that they dropped the original $200 to $60 still thinking that the tech replaced a gas control valve.
The 1.75 hours labor I wouldn't put up a fight about not knowing what the tech had to do. For example, if he was looking for the source of a gas odor and replaced the valve 2 hours @ $90/hour is realistic.
TimH
02-03-08, 02:44 PM
I had no beef witht eh labor charge. They had to find the leak.
I suspected in the beginning that they charged for a solenoid actuated valve. The problem is tha, the guy I am dealing with is customer service and not a repair tech. So terms like "Manual ball valve" and "solenoid valve" don't mean much to him. I just have to decide whether to continue the battle or not.
I suspected in the beginning that they charged for a solenoid actuated valve. The problem is tha, the guy I am dealing with is customer service and not a repair tech. So terms like "Manual ball valve" and "solenoid valve" don't mean much to him. I just have to decide whether to continue the battle or not.