Very Unprofessional Pittsburgh Chimney Sweep

snymat68 · 10-03-2013, 01:51 PM

I will be moving into a new (to me) house at the end of the month and would like to get my chimney cleaned and inspected. I contacted ADVANCE CHIMNEY SWEEPS of Pittsburgh and asked for a quote and simply asked what sets them apart from their competition (giving them a chance to earn a new customer). MICHAEL SCHOCK, who I assume to be the owner, apparently took my question as an insult and replied with the following, very unprofessional email:

If you are not a chimney sweep and don't understand our terminology, well how can I possibly convey to you exactly what it is that we do. I think that our name implies that we do cleaning. I think the awards in there self tell the story that we are a leader in our industry. Do you know what corbel is? Do you know what a splay is? do you know what a wash is? do you know at medium duty refractory clay is? do you know what negative pressure hepa fitration is? do you know current NFPA 211 standards, Current IRC standards and or certain clearance to combustible requirements? I could go on for hours!!! Your lack of knowledge in our industry would make it next to impossible to explain all this to you and you be able to comprehend it. The best I can do is tell you that we clean chimneys, inspect chimneys and repair chimneys. As a consumer I think that the awards demonstrate that we are a leader in our industry and it certainly differentiates us from our competition. Perhaps you should use another company this year and try us out next time and then I think you will clearly see the difference. Here are a couple of easy things that differentiate between us and our competition.....Ask them for proof of general liability insurance and workers compensation insurance. Most will be able to show you the general liability insurance because its relatively cheap to acquire and it covers property loss, but you will be hard pressed to find someone with the work comp insurance which is required by law. Most don't have it because its very expensive and it covers injury to anyone and this includes the companys employees. Did you ever see how costly a lawsuit is related to personal injury? We provide unparalleled protection to our customers. I would be absolutely amazed if you find a single company that has workers compensation insurance. See for yourself. Theres a reason we get the price that we do and stay busy year round. People that have had bad experiences with other companys or people that just want quality tend to go with us. We work year round in a seasonal business, so I guess that says something about us.

Needless to say, they won't be getting my business. Just thought I'd spread the word and hopefully save someone a bad experience.

BowtieBelle · 10-03-2013, 02:15 PM

Wow. What douchebags. I'd copy that, and post it on Angie's List and every review site I could. Dooooo eeeeeet.

And tell him to learn how to spell. "companys"?! Wow.

Iwantone2 · 10-03-2013, 02:20 PM

If you decide to reply to him, include the following:

BowtieBelle · 10-03-2013, 02:23 PM

I'm going to post a negative review of them on Angie's List and copy and paste that email, if you don't mind.

snymat68 · 10-03-2013, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BowtieBelle

I'm going to post a negative review of them on Angie's List and copy and paste that email, if you don't mind.

Please do.

I'm not a member. I posted it on FB already.

BowtieBelle · 10-03-2013, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snymat68

Please do.

I'm not a member. I posted it on FB already.

I posted it on yp.com and angieslist.

Dude's a moron.

LuSe4 · 10-03-2013, 02:36 PM

I read it differently.
I would not have responded like he did, but I don't think he was being an ass. He was explaining to you everything that "set him apart" from other companies. He was also trying to convey that they are very knowledgeable. I would have responded like this to a potential customer, though.

snymat68 · 10-03-2013, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BowtieBelle

I posted it on yp.com and angieslist.

Dude's a moron.

Thanks! And yep. All I can say is

PoorMansCamaro · 10-03-2013, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iwantone2

If you decide to reply to him, include the following:

this one makes me laugh every time I see it.

BowtieBelle · 10-03-2013, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snymat68

Thanks! And yep. All I can say is

No problem! People can draw their own conclusions. That was ridiculously rude and condescending.

c_LoW29 · 10-03-2013, 02:59 PM

Well apparently you guys know nothing about chimney cleaning jeeesh

BowtieBelle · 10-03-2013, 03:07 PM

Oh he replied!

Advance Chimney Sweeps, Inc. Post the entire conversation, not parts. Show the parts of the conversation that led up to this email.
17 minutes ago via mobile · Like

Advance Chimney Sweeps, Inc. This potential customer was very condescending. I don't want customers like this. I opened business so that I didn't have to deal with people like this. If he didn't like my price, rather than insulting me, he should have just contacted another company. He basically said I was over prices and wanted me to justify why. Maybe not in them exact words, but that's how I took it. Contrary to popular belief, the customer isn't always right. Sometimes the contractor is right also.
9 minutes ago via mobile · Like

Advance Chimney Sweeps, Inc. Apparently these people live pampered lifestyles and are used to being catered to, but here in Southwestern PA we are taught to treat each other with respect. Just because I own a business, doesn't mean I'll be a door matt for those that think they are better than others.

c_LoW29 · 10-03-2013, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BowtieBelle

Oh he replied!

Advance Chimney Sweeps, Inc. Post the entire conversation, not parts. Show the parts of the conversation that led up to this email.
17 minutes ago via mobile · Like

Advance Chimney Sweeps, Inc. This potential customer was very condescending. I don't want customers like this. I opened business so that I didn't have to deal with people like this. If he didn't like my price, rather than insulting me, he should have just contacted another company. He basically said I was over prices and wanted me to justify why. Maybe not in them exact words, but that's how I took it. Contrary to popular belief, the customer isn't always right. Sometimes the contractor is right also.
9 minutes ago via mobile · Like

Advance Chimney Sweeps, Inc. Apparently these people live pampered lifestyles and are used to being catered to, but here in Southwestern PA we are taught to treat each other with respect. Just because I own a business, doesn't mean I'll be a door matt for those that think they are better than others.

Santa Clause is not going to be happy with this whole situation come DEC 25

PoorMansCamaro · 10-03-2013, 03:12 PM

customers are 100% right.

10-03-2013, 01:51 PM	#1
snymat68 Drives: 2013 Blue Ray 1LS M6 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,227 View My Garage	Very Unprofessional Pittsburgh Chimney Sweep I will be moving into a new (to me) house at the end of the month and would like to get my chimney cleaned and inspected. I contacted ADVANCE CHIMNEY SWEEPS of Pittsburgh and asked for a quote and simply asked what sets them apart from their competition (giving them a chance to earn a new customer). MICHAEL SCHOCK, who I assume to be the owner, apparently took my question as an insult and replied with the following, very unprofessional email: If you are not a chimney sweep and don't understand our terminology, well how can I possibly convey to you exactly what it is that we do. I think that our name implies that we do cleaning. I think the awards in there self tell the story that we are a leader in our industry. Do you know what corbel is? Do you know what a splay is? do you know what a wash is? do you know at medium duty refractory clay is? do you know what negative pressure hepa fitration is? do you know current NFPA 211 standards, Current IRC standards and or certain clearance to combustible requirements? I could go on for hours!!! Your lack of knowledge in our industry would make it next to impossible to explain all this to you and you be able to comprehend it. The best I can do is tell you that we clean chimneys, inspect chimneys and repair chimneys. As a consumer I think that the awards demonstrate that we are a leader in our industry and it certainly differentiates us from our competition. Perhaps you should use another company this year and try us out next time and then I think you will clearly see the difference. Here are a couple of easy things that differentiate between us and our competition.....Ask them for proof of general liability insurance and workers compensation insurance. Most will be able to show you the general liability insurance because its relatively cheap to acquire and it covers property loss, but you will be hard pressed to find someone with the work comp insurance which is required by law. Most don't have it because its very expensive and it covers injury to anyone and this includes the companys employees. Did you ever see how costly a lawsuit is related to personal injury? We provide unparalleled protection to our customers. I would be absolutely amazed if you find a single company that has workers compensation insurance. See for yourself. Theres a reason we get the price that we do and stay busy year round. People that have had bad experiences with other companys or people that just want quality tend to go with us. We work year round in a seasonal business, so I guess that says something about us. Needless to say, they won't be getting my business. Just thought I'd spread the word and hopefully save someone a bad experience. __________________ Performance Mods Elite Catch Can \| CAI Intake with Scoop & Washer Bottle Relocation \| MRT v2 Axle-Back Exhaust \| MagnaFlow Resonated X-Pipe \| Resonator Delete \| Vmax Ported Throttle Body \| GM Strut Tower Brace \| JDP Tow Hook \| Vitesse Throttle Controller Aesthetic Mods Chrome Peek-A-Boo Door Handles \| Interior Accessories Kit \| OEM RS HIDs w/ 6000k Bulbs & 5000k LED Fogs \| Tail Light, Marker Light, & Turn Signal Tint \| Tru-Sequence Sequential Turn Signals & Brake Lights \| Silver Fade Gill Stripes \| Carbon Fiber Bowties \| Various Chrome/Painted/Carbon Fiber Items

10-03-2013, 02:15 PM	#2
BowtieBelle They see me trollin'... Drives: 217 ci of fury; Chauffeured by SS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 13,875 View My Garage	Wow. What douchebags. I'd copy that, and post it on Angie's List and every review site I could. Dooooo eeeeeet. And tell him to learn how to spell. "companys"?! Wow. __________________ "Never race anything you can't afford to light on fire and push off a cliff." -CamaroSpike 2011 Custom LT/RS: Bella's Build Thread

10-03-2013, 02:20 PM	#3
Iwantone2 Voice Of The Voiceless Drives: CGM 1SS RS Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OC Cali Posts: 9,610 View My Garage	If you decide to reply to him, include the following: __________________

10-03-2013, 02:23 PM	#4
BowtieBelle They see me trollin'... Drives: 217 ci of fury; Chauffeured by SS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 13,875 View My Garage	I'm going to post a negative review of them on Angie's List and copy and paste that email, if you don't mind. __________________ "Never race anything you can't afford to light on fire and push off a cliff." -CamaroSpike 2011 Custom LT/RS: Bella's Build Thread

10-03-2013, 02:36 PM	#7
LuSe4 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS RS LS3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,058	I read it differently. I would not have responded like he did, but I don't think he was being an ass. He was explaining to you everything that "set him apart" from other companies. He was also trying to convey that they are very knowledgeable. I would have responded like this to a potential customer, though. __________________ -2013 Summit White over Inferno Orange 2SS RS- -2014 White Diamond Silverado Z71 Crew Cab Short Box-

10-03-2013, 02:59 PM	#11
c_LoW29 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS, 2010 Mustang GT Join Date: May 2010 Location: Slidell, LA Posts: 2,412 View My Garage	Well apparently you guys know nothing about chimney cleaning jeeesh

10-03-2013, 03:07 PM	#12
BowtieBelle They see me trollin'... Drives: 217 ci of fury; Chauffeured by SS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 13,875 View My Garage	Oh he replied! Advance Chimney Sweeps, Inc. Post the entire conversation, not parts. Show the parts of the conversation that led up to this email. 17 minutes ago via mobile · Like Advance Chimney Sweeps, Inc. This potential customer was very condescending. I don't want customers like this. I opened business so that I didn't have to deal with people like this. If he didn't like my price, rather than insulting me, he should have just contacted another company. He basically said I was over prices and wanted me to justify why. Maybe not in them exact words, but that's how I took it. Contrary to popular belief, the customer isn't always right. Sometimes the contractor is right also. 9 minutes ago via mobile · Like Advance Chimney Sweeps, Inc. Apparently these people live pampered lifestyles and are used to being catered to, but here in Southwestern PA we are taught to treat each other with respect. Just because I own a business, doesn't mean I'll be a door matt for those that think they are better than others. __________________ "Never race anything you can't afford to light on fire and push off a cliff." -CamaroSpike 2011 Custom LT/RS: Bella's Build Thread

10-03-2013, 03:12 PM	#14
PoorMansCamaro Drives: Really Slow Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: PA Posts: 57,226	customers are 100% right. __________________