Rheem came to quote for the supply and installation of a Stella hotwater system.
I was quoted a total prce of $2,616
Thinking it was rather expensive I rang them to get the retail price on the heater alone so I could see what the fitting charges were. They point blank refused to give any price for the heater componant of the quotation.
I then rang three Rheem suppliers and was quoted an average price of $1,100 for the supply of a heater.
That means that Rheem wanted $1,500 for extending two water and one gas connection, blocking off, one water pipe, removing the old heater and installing the new one. About 4 hours work at a rate of $375 per hour.
When I rang and said I believed they'd made a mistake on the quotation, I was arrogantly told those were their prices and I was free to take my business elsewhere.
I did... I so far have two quotes, one at $1,450 and the other at $1,520 with another quote to come. Getting on the phone to local plumbers has saved me being ripped off by $1,100.
Profit is not a dirty word - exhorbitant profit is. Shame on Rheem.