[RP TownTalk] HomeServe Warranty from WSSC

[bob smith]

Thank you Sarah.
Excellent timing and excellent information for us to consider.

We received the same letter with the WSSC logo on the envelope.
It seemed very similar to the multiple letters from some company
offering to cover the cost of replacement of the water line. Yes, ours
too had to be replaced some years back.

All of the letters have spurred the kinds of questions that your note
covers so well, the concerns, the unprovided information, and trying to
figure out why WSSC sent out such a note.

Again, Thank you!
bob smith

On 12/13/16 9:04 AM, Sarah Wayland wrote:
> I just saw this message on the HOPE listserv from local plumber Fred
> Werth, and found it interesting (especially in light of the fact that I
> received the referenced letter from HomeServe in the mail last week, and
> was considering purchasing the warranty). 
> 
> We had to replace the water line from our house to our meter (at the
> curb) a few years ago - it was CRAZY expensive. Now my neighbors across
> the street are having to do it as well. 
> 
> -Sarah
> 
> 1. HomeServe letter
>     Posted by: "Fred Werth" mystical.plumber at comcast.net
> <mailto:mystical.plumber at comcast.net>
>     Date: Mon Dec 12, 2016 3:09 pm ((PST))
> 
> 
> 
> I am sending this to you because I wrote this to my list serve in
> University Park because a person I know was confused about the letter
> she received in a WSSC envelope and the letter heading had WSSC on the
> letter heading.
> 
> The letter proceeded to speak about HomeServe warranty service and the
> costs.
> 
> Most of my work as a plumber is not what HomeServe is in business for.
> 
> Since I sent this out a person suggested that UP start our own fund the
> community could pay into. We have 980 house so when you take the amount
> HomeServe wants per year we could run the program.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> Warmly, Fred Werth
> 
> 
> 
> On Sun, Dec 11, 2016 at 2:54 PM, Fred Werth
> <mystical.plumber at comcast.net
> <mailto:mystical.plumber at comcast.net> <mailto:mystical.plumber at comcast.net
> <mailto:mystical.plumber at comcast.net>> > wrote:
> 
> HomeServe warranty states that they can repair the water or sewer line
> 10 times before they must replace it. This does not include landscaping
> such as grass seed. They only must do the backfilling of hole or ditch
> if replaced.
> 
> I was told by a rep. of WSSC that the reason they did this was WSSC was
> not liked by the rate payers and that this would be setting up a fund
> for less fortunate individuals to be able to use the money for the
> repairs or replacement. The fund would cap out at $300,000. Depending on
> how many households signup.
> 
> We in the associations have many questions.
> 
> Such as
> 
>   * Who administers the fund and makes decisions as to who can use it?
>   * What happens to this money if WSSC terminates HomeServe contract?
>   * Why did WSSC not put this out to bid since there are many warranty
>     companies?
>   * Why does HomeServe use WSSC logo’s for their letters? Misleading as
>     to most individuals think WSSC is running the program.
>   * What is the quality control? We know that any work done by them must
>     have a WSSC permit and inspection.
>   * My expectation of their work and I mean HomeServe subcontractors is
>     only the minimum plus looking to charge for anything else as extras.
> 
> 
> This is only a few of the questions we have for them.
> 
> WSSC Master Plumbers Association with DC Master Plumbers Association
> have a meeting with WSSC and HomeServe the 19th at WSSC.
> 
> Please contact your council members and ask them if they are going to it.
> 
> At present Marc Elrich at large council member from Montgomery County
> has agreed to be there.
> 
> I am on the board of both associations and will be at the meeting with
> WSSC and HomeServe.
> 
> After the meeting I will update on the list serve.
> 
> I hope this is helpful. Please read the fine print and do the research
> worldwide as to this company.
> 
> Warmly, Fred Werth
> 
> 
> 
> 	
> 
> Sarah Wayland, Ph.D. | www.GuidingExceptionalParents.com
> <http://www.guidingexceptionalparents.com/>
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