I had my septic tank pumped out by the family owned outfit that I have used for 20 years (usually have it done every 4 years or so). The bill was 300.00 plus 8.25% (exorbitant) NY sales tax. Total 324.75. I thought it was very high but didn't say anything as I wrote the check. The next day I called 2 other local septic tank cleaning companies (bigger outfits with many trucks) and got quotes of 236.00 plus tax and 262.50 plus tax. When I called back the guy that cleaned my tank to query why I was told (by his mother)"thats what we charge". Needless to say they have lost my (and anybody I can tell) business. LESSONED LEARNED- Shop around and don't be ashamed to ask the price in advance.
Had my Septic tank pumped - learned a lesson
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They charge more, so what and this is America. I would not fault them for doing this, every business has varying costs. Maybe the larger outfit does not offer health insurance to their employee's. Or they just are not as efficient.
However given that is this a service where quality does not matter I would shop around too. Its not like a mechanic you trust and use for years who may charge more but does excellent work.
However given that is this a service where quality does not matter I would shop around too. Its not like a mechanic you trust and use for years who may charge more but does excellent work.
PBM,
Reminds me of the time I called different Honda dealers for a quote - for changing the timing belt & water pump for my wife's Civic. The dealer that I took her car to get it changed was $125 cheaper than the others and had a free loaner car for the day. Sometimes it pays call around.
Reminds me of the time I called different Honda dealers for a quote - for changing the timing belt & water pump for my wife's Civic. The dealer that I took her car to get it changed was $125 cheaper than the others and had a free loaner car for the day. Sometimes it pays call around.
I had dug and exposed the cover of the tank. All the guy had to do was stick the 'vacuum' hose down into the tank and suck out the waste. I replaced the dirt and did all the labor. While your right rjundi, it is America and he has a right to charge whatever he wants I also have a right to tell as many people as I can how expensive he is. In the long run he will be the loser. And yes the larger companies do provide benefits for their employees while this Co. is a father, son and mother as secretary outfit.
Just because you didnt call around for the best price, you are going maybe hurt his business because you paid to much, by bad mouthing his company, like you said lesson learned, dont use him again, I do not see the reasoning it was not his fault,
kkat: I called and told (his mother) what her competitors were charging and that I had used their company since moving to the area 20 years earlier. I also told her that if they were only 10 or 20 dollars more I wouldn't even be calling her back but 69 dollars difference (with tax)is quite a lot of money. They had the opportunity to treat me as a repeat customer and refund some part of the difference. They chose not to so now I will tell everyone I know just how expensive they are. I'm not bad mouthing them I'm just telling the facts so that none of my acqaintences make the same mistake I did.
Looks like they aren't going to take any more chit from you.
If more people compared prices like you did, people like your ex chit sucker wouldn't be overcharging.
Here in VA they tax EVERYTHING, but it's only 4.5%.
They don't tax labor in Virginia.
In all fairness to the Guy, perhaps you should talk to HIM, not his mother.
Perhaps in his mothers eyes 'Her Boy" deserves $69 more than anyone else.
Perhaps in his mothers eyes 'Her Boy" deserves $69 more than anyone else.
Spitty: She called me back after talking to him on his cell phone so in effect I did talk to him.
She said something about how much it costs to get rid of the 'sewage'. If the treatment plant they use is charging more than whoever their competitors use they need to talk to them. I just assumed that they would all charge a similar amount and I liked the father when I dealt with him over the years. Like I said 'Lesson Learned'--I'll never hesitate to ask the price in advance again.
She said something about how much it costs to get rid of the 'sewage'. If the treatment plant they use is charging more than whoever their competitors use they need to talk to them. I just assumed that they would all charge a similar amount and I liked the father when I dealt with him over the years. Like I said 'Lesson Learned'--I'll never hesitate to ask the price in advance again.
I always knew the septic pumping business was flush with profit.
It is amazing the variance in prices you will get on common services or commodity items. Heating oil, for example. Different vendors may charge a spread of plus or minus 20 cents a gallon around here. Some will try to have you believe that there is a difference in the quality of oils. Believe me, they all pretty much come off the same loading rack, so the only difference may be in the quality of service.
It is amazing the variance in prices you will get on common services or commodity items. Heating oil, for example. Different vendors may charge a spread of plus or minus 20 cents a gallon around here. Some will try to have you believe that there is a difference in the quality of oils. Believe me, they all pretty much come off the same loading rack, so the only difference may be in the quality of service.
Better to have your septic pumped than your stomach.
I plan on using the same AC guy and garage door guy next time I need there help. They seemed to very fair and honest.
For me its hard to call around about stuff that is broken which I dont know how to troubleshoot. I cant ask for the price of a specific repair cause I dont know what is wrong.
I had a simailr expereince with a car took it down to my regualr guy and found it cheaper elsewhere.
For me its hard to call around about stuff that is broken which I dont know how to troubleshoot. I cant ask for the price of a specific repair cause I dont know what is wrong.
I had a simailr expereince with a car took it down to my regualr guy and found it cheaper elsewhere.
NY charges sales tax on septic pumping?
Now that is wrong.
They are supposed to not tax the necessities of life. In Mass. for example food and clothes are not taxed... and neither is rat poison.
NY taxes, IIRC, regular shampoo but not dandruff shampoo, because the selsun blue is a "drug".
Pumping one's tank has a benefit for the greater good. NYC has a huge intricate network of watersheds for their clean drinking water, and you're being responsible in doing your part. NYS is penalizing you... and most likely sending the money south.
I'll shut up before I get political...
Now that is wrong.
They are supposed to not tax the necessities of life. In Mass. for example food and clothes are not taxed... and neither is rat poison.
NY taxes, IIRC, regular shampoo but not dandruff shampoo, because the selsun blue is a "drug".
Pumping one's tank has a benefit for the greater good. NYC has a huge intricate network of watersheds for their clean drinking water, and you're being responsible in doing your part. NYS is penalizing you... and most likely sending the money south.
I'll shut up before I get political...
eljefino: There is very little that NY does not tax. NY taxes clothing while neighboring New Jersey doesn't. Where do you think most of my neighbors buy their cloths? We are among the highest taxed in the country and today I read that we have 'one of the worst road systems in America'. Our school taxes are out of control. A new 2500 sq. ft. home in my area would have a property tax bill of about 10000 a year. Its outrageous.
As a buddy of mine was fond of saying: The American way is to lie, cheat, and steal. Some businesses take that literally.
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