Posted on Nov 11, 2018
If a plumbing company advertises a veterans discount and refuses to give one, would this be legal grounds to file suit?
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Their claim was that they gave me a fair price for the $25,000 sewer line repair (ouch), but I didn't tell them I was a veteran until the bill was written up hoping to lower the "ouch" factor. They refused to modify the bill and provide me my veterans discount after I presented my VA card to them. Do I have legal recourse other than Poo Pooing them on Facebook?
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 5
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That depends if you have a binding contract. Moreover, it depends on if it’s worth it, which for the $25-70, or whatever, isn’t worth it. Small Claims orJudge Judy are about it. There’s a lot out the on what you theoretically can do. That list shortens a lot when actually doing something. Easier path is tp pitch that booger over to your State consumer protection crowd. If they have an interest, fine. If not, then you shouldn’t either. What you’re left with is griping on Yelp. Make absolutely sure you’re accurate lest you be subjected to a legal action for slander.
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SN Joseph Dorando
Thank you Mr. Ball, I'll take your advise and contact the state consumer protection service.
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Was the advertised discount current when you purchased the services? You'll need proof of an offered discount, along with documentation (like a receipt) if you wish to pursue action against the company.
https://legalbeagle.com/2175318-sue-someone-false-advertising.html
https://legalbeagle.com/2175318-sue-someone-false-advertising.html
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Many offers add a blurb about *if you have any applicable discounts, you must present them before works gets started, or we don’t have to accept them”.
Thats a fair practice. If they know they’ll get paid less, they know to budget there money, employees tighter. Honesty in business goes a long way. One way to view it is (particularly from the business side), is that ‘if this veteran is gonna hold out on me until the last second, then try to hamstring me..no thanks.’
It’s just bad business.
Best of luck
Thats a fair practice. If they know they’ll get paid less, they know to budget there money, employees tighter. Honesty in business goes a long way. One way to view it is (particularly from the business side), is that ‘if this veteran is gonna hold out on me until the last second, then try to hamstring me..no thanks.’
It’s just bad business.
Best of luck
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SN Joseph Dorando
Hello Sgt., there was no blurb, I was given a cost, the same price as a civilian would have received. I can only view it as false advertisement. Or worse, as a false valor statement on their part.
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SGT (Join to see)
SN Joseph Dorando - respectfully, I think the ‘false valor’ statement doesn’t apply.
And I have no vested interests in this matter, so my opinions isn’t swayed by the “ouch” factor. You have to realize that the work might be the same, the cost might be the same...but to absorb that 10% (or whatever their discount is), the company can make up for it in other ways.
For example, They can assign a worker who makes a lower hourly rate. The work is the same, the materials are the same. The quality is the same. They just use a junior plumber who doesn’t get paid as much. And that’s how they are able to afford a discount to veterans. By not knowing ahead of time, they weren’t able to plan accordingly.
If they did the work, gave you a bill, and you then said, “oh by the way...”, that isn’t false advertising. And honestly, if you try to go to court, your legal fees will likely be higher than what the discount would have been.
Best of luck
And I have no vested interests in this matter, so my opinions isn’t swayed by the “ouch” factor. You have to realize that the work might be the same, the cost might be the same...but to absorb that 10% (or whatever their discount is), the company can make up for it in other ways.
For example, They can assign a worker who makes a lower hourly rate. The work is the same, the materials are the same. The quality is the same. They just use a junior plumber who doesn’t get paid as much. And that’s how they are able to afford a discount to veterans. By not knowing ahead of time, they weren’t able to plan accordingly.
If they did the work, gave you a bill, and you then said, “oh by the way...”, that isn’t false advertising. And honestly, if you try to go to court, your legal fees will likely be higher than what the discount would have been.
Best of luck
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SrA John Monette
SGT (Join to see) - sounds like that is what happened. if SN Joseph Dorando if you waited until you got the bill to ask for the discount, next time don't
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Probably your best bet is to ask a lawyer but remember a Veterans discount is a gift. Unless it's wrote in the contract you may get nothing
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PVT Mark Zehner
SN Joseph Dorando remember they will always take the case you have to weigh if it's worth it!
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SN Joseph Dorando
I'll be finding that out. One of my volunteers is a litigation lawyer, I'll see what he has to say.
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