Critical: Professionalism, Responsiveness, Value
I would not recommend Winmar - Guelph for a large variety of reasons. The estimator was frustratingly difficult to deal with due to multiple failures to contact me when he said he would, failure to provide complete documents/estimates, failure or inability to produce a CRA-approved invoice that reflected the entire business-consumer exchange, and failure to negotiate in good-faith when the original estimate did not reflect the actual work done. The estimate provided was excessive in cost, with "minimum charges" throughout the document regardless of the size and complexity of the repair which was small and minor (repair of drywall due to water damage). The estimator's preference was that my tenant (my elderly mother) be absent from the condo during the repairs but I was not able to facilitate that so both my elderly mother and myself were present during the repairs which permitted me to see first-hand what was and was not completed. If I had not been there during the repairs, I would have paid the entire estimate but thankfully I was able to be a witness to the activities that occurred. I can only describe the estimator's efforts at revising the invoice as inadequate and unprofessional, not reflecting a reasonable revision in any way based on the job actually performed. This is not the way a business that wants to satisfy their customers would behave. I was forced to retain a law firm for advice and direction on how to handle all of the issues with my interactions with the estimator. I've also noticed in the Google reviews that Winmar has a reputation of not paying their subcontractors and threatening legal action when they complain in public on that forum. I certainly hope that they paid the subcontractor that performed my repairs as I was entirely satisfied with the final result and the tasks that were not completed were not necessary for the minor repair involved. I will be continuing to get advice from my law firm and will be also approaching CRA regarding the lack of a CRA-approved invoice and the potential that they have not paid their subcontractors. I also wonder if their behaviour regarding charging for services that are not performed and not paying their subcontractors will be seen with insurance-approved repairs by the CRA when they do their multi-year audit......The bottom line is - stay away from Winmar - Guelph.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $1,500.00
- Company Response
Dear Nancy, We appreciate your message and the frustration that you have experienced. We are in agreeance that the credit of $534.34 could have been released sooner. What we did not disclose at the time, was our Controller retired and our Office Coordinator decided not to return to work after her maternity leave all within the same month. This suddenly left us extremely short staffed in communication and accounting, until just recently. In reviewing our detailed emails between you and Winmar, it was not our intent nor has it been for 25 years of operating in Guelph to deceive clients. We express regret, if this is your perception. We also wish to express our most sincere apology for your experience and want to let you know that our Warranty is still in place for materials and services rendered. We want to thank you, as we will use this experience to further educate our team in customer service and communication skills. We hope that this message finds you and your loved ones safe and well in these uncertain times. Sincerely, The Entire Winmar Team