Another Public Service Announcement, Maybe a Warning.

We have noticed a company called Bath Fitters now advertising on TV.  The ads look very similar to the ones we saw in 2007/8 for Re-Bath.  In fact the pitch sounds almost identical and the claims are exactly the same.  The finished baths and showers in the photos look just like the Re-Bath junk too.


We can clearly see the fixtures in the Bath Fitters ads are the exact same ones Re-Bath used on our mess, and we were told Re-Bath has an exclusive on those Wolverine brand fixtures.  Hmmm.  Sounds (looks?) suspiciously interesting, no?






We know the sleazy contractor we first dealt with also operated under this company name, and the products back then were more than just comparable, they looked exactly the same and were probably from the same outlet/manufacturer (we are making a semi-educated guess backed with logic).  Even the installation time promises are the same.




So we are urging anyone considering using this company to read our blog and learn about the potential for disaster since the products and sales pitch could very well be the very same.




Stay safe, protect yourself, do your homework.  And don't trust what the sales people say. 




GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. 


If they don't want to put it in writing, ask them why. 

Too Much Mold, So Much For the Re-Bath Guarantee...

We have to replace the Re-Bath caulking.  It didn't even last a few years before the mold began, and if you recall, one of the major selling points by Re-Bath was that it would not have any mold problems.


Was that a lie, or just part of the sales pitch?  In our case we think it was a blatant lie; considering how many other lies we were told by them.


Figured we might as well share this and keep the blog active, just in case someone else was considering using Re-Bath.  We heartily suggest you don't.  Unless you like being ripped off and lied to...




Can't wait to see what we find once we remove the obviously non-mold-free caulk Re-Bath used after being sold a guaranteed "not to mold up installation".  Stay tuned if you wish.

We received this comment from someone who says they operate a Re-Bath franchise!

He says his name is Jack Gallagher and we decided the fairest most honest way to respond was openly, and also to give him the appropriate attention. 

Here is his letter:

“Helpful Hal. I take offense to your trashing of all Re-Bath dealers as being a rip=off or a scam. I've operated my franchise, Re-Bath of Central California for 5 years by delivering top notch customer service with many reviews to validate the quality end product we deliver. Be careful to lump all dealers in with a few bad ones. The same can be done in any industry. I paid good money to join this franchise and do not appreciate your trashing of all dealers. Time to get over your spilled milk and move on. Sorry that you had such a bad experience but your experience most likely caused the dealer whom performed your work to be removed from the network. “

Here is our response:

Well Jack,

To be quite honest, we took offense to all of the Re-Bath dealers/franchises we dealt with, and the corporate staff treating us so badly. 

We did not trash “all Re-Bath dealers”.  We only called out the ones we dealt with or were operated (at least claimed to be) by those we had dealings with that caused great damage to our home and were prosecuted for breaking the law.  

(We still stand by our opinion and firsthand observations that they really are a Rip-Off and a scam.)

Plus, we allowed other complaints made by other highly dissatisfied (ripped-off) customers of Re-Bath throughout the nation to be shared on our blog if they wished to do so.  It was pointed out clearly who were the "guests".  (Maybe you should reread what was written and take it in context before jumping to any conclusions?  You’re not the first Re-Bath dealer to misunderstand what was written and get upset.)

If you want to take offense with us, fine, it is your right, as shortsighted as that logic is (for what it is worth we never badmouthed your franchise, weren't even aware of it). 

But maybe you should look at the reality of the situation and simply how bad the reputation of Re-Bath as a whole is before you complain to or about any victims for TELLING THE TRUTH of what happened to them and before complaining about something you say you are not involved with. 

(Ever heard of guilt by association?  Might be something to consider since there is so much bad press online about the company you chose to buy into.  Point being, don’t blame us for pointing out what other members of your "network" did.)

The franchises we dealt with also claimed the same thing to us that you do in your letter:

“delivering top notch customer service with many reviews to validate the quality end product we deliver”.  

But the real question is, how many complaints have you had?  Sadly there were far more dissatisfied customers than satisfied ones with the franchises we dealt with.  We found that out after the damage had begun.  They hand picked the few good comments that they either pulled the wool over their customers eyes, or got lucky and didn’t screw the job up. 

(Or if you are as cynical as we are now..., we'd suspect some of the testimonials we fabricated.  You know, lies?)

If you want to draw a correlation to that, go for it.  We know most people who have dealt with Re-Bath (as we have) will do so.

Since you brought it up, should we start asking around your neck of the woods to see if there any of your customers that regret dealing with Re-Bath… or your franchise?  Purely in the interest of honesty, integrity and full disclosure.  What could be wrong with that...?

You also wrote :

” Be careful to lump all dealers in with a few bad ones.” 

In the case of Re-Bath, we have to agree, but which side of the argument are you on now?  Freudian slip?  (Another reason we included the verbatim letter you wrote to us.)

We’re sorry you paid good money to get a Re-Bath franchise.  Maybe you should have done your homework first (as we should done before contracting with Re-Bath) before dumping that good money into a company with such a bad reputation.  Sounds like a little bit of sour grapes. Or whine… (Hey, you had your spilled milk jab at us...)

The first dealer we dealt with was ultimately removed/rejected/ejected from Re-Bath, but not for all the stuff he did as an agent of Re-Bath (as you say you are) to our home and to us personally, and as reprehensible as that behavior was, it was ultimately condoned and protected by corporate Re-Bath.  

(It was his claims of stalking us and the vile personal threats (that we had to provide proof of) that subsequently and ultimately led to his “dismissal” from the RE-Bath “network”.)

The second dealer, the one that caused our downstairs ceiling to cave in and flooded our attic, is still operating as far as we know.

So you'll have to forgive us if we don’t buy your viewpoint that substandard Re-Bath franchise operators are weeded out of the network. 

We are not saying you are to be automatically lumped into the group of those bad franchises, (even though you wrote that we should do that...), just that your comment holds no water (much like our "Re-Bath" flooded ceiling...) with us due to our firsthand experience.   We saw how badly and unethically operated franchises were protected by the corporation, not the consumers.

As always, we recommend you do your homework before working with any contractor. 

We learned our lesson and will NEVER deal with any Re-Bath franchise no matter how much they claim they are not like the others.  Even if it were true (as unlikely as that could even be in our perspective and experience) we know that if there were a problem that was not resolved with the franchise, there is nowhere to turn but legal action as the Re-Bath corporation would not help the customer. 

(Then again what are the odds the franchise wouldn't initiate legal action before trying to resolve the issue?  From our firsthand experince, presumably quite high...)

Remember, we dealt with the corporate side too, that showed us the problems are not just franchise deep, but ingrained in the “network”.

Is it ironic that “Anonymous” posted a comment trying to tell the world about a new Re-Bath local to us?

Here is the post: “Rebath opened at a differnt location in Orange. Nice showroom!”

As long as people keep posting, we figure we can keep warning others… BTW, Nice job spelling there “Anonymous”, real “quality” spelling…

Sure, new location…, and probably the same way of “doing business” as we experienced too? At least if these recent reviews are considered.

There are pages of Re-Bath complaints (64 as of today…) here, and posted as recently as just a few days ago no less… :

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/re-bath.html


Or this one, 86 COMPLAINTS! And new complaints less than a month ago:

http://rebath.pissedconsumer.com/

But wait! There’s more:

http://www.complaintsboard.com/bycompany/rebath-a50450.html

It is not just a coincidence there are so many COMPLAINTS about Re-Bath.
Occam’s Razor comes to mind too.

If this new location is operated by the same people that were at or connected with the Signal Hill, Huntington Beach or Mission Viejo Re-Baths, we have no doubt it is another operation to rip people off.

In addition to that, beware when dealing with any person with the last name Summy, it has been our experience these people are out to rip us off.   Check it out for yourself, (or read previous installations of our blog here...).

Be very cautious folks. Do your homework, and double or triple check references. Re-Bath has proven to very many people to be an awful company to deal with. And if you think you speak to someone who thinks they got lucky and had good service, ask them about the warranty...

It seems from what is being shared all over the internet the warranty is worthless if you actually try to use it. (It was our firsthand experience too.) How much do you want to bet that if you can get a person to even look at your problem (created by Re-Bath) that they won’t claim it is either “your fault” or “not covered” by some loop hole despite the sales pitch of “We’re not happy unless you are”?

Be very cautious folks. Do your homework, and double or triple check references. Yes, we know we said that before, it is THAT important.   With today's economy, a scam like this could wipe you out!

Weasel is still bemoaning his loss...

The sad little ineffectual jerk and all around loser who screwed himself out of the Re-Bath family by being an ass and making psychotic sounding threats is still whining to us in this blog. Who is it that can't get over it? The wittle weasal.

We somewhat enjoy the fact this loser is still focused on us, as perverted as he is. We don't mind or even care he can't seem to let it go. It means WE WON! And he LOST!

We are proud to have helped protect the public from this shyster.


Remember to do your homework and fully check out any contractor before hiring them.


Wonder what the next pathetic response will be from that loser? Don't care. We won!

We stopped paying attention to the blog for a few months and look at what we missed…

Another comment posted by the ubiquitous “Anonymous” on 6/12/11, and he should know being a Re-Bath “insider”…or is it “EX-insider?...?:

“FYI. None of these people have worked for Rebath for sometime.”


We have no proof of that claim being correct, as the author prefers to hide behind his nom-de-plume, as generic and unimaginative as it is, therefore its value is debatable, but it is not a surprise from the way they (yes, Re-Bath) conducted business, hence the reason for this blog.
(Interestingly the Re-Bath of California webite links now say “ACCOUNT SUSPENDED”. Seems like a fitting balance in the grand scheme of the world…)

Again, since that claim is OBVIOUSLY being made by someone associated with Re-Bath, either currently or in the past, how accurate can it really be?
*See our earlier points as to the inherent dishonesty we were treated to by Re-Bath agents and representatives...

We, as stated earlier, were made aware that one raging jerk of a franchise operator had lost his franchise due to threats he made after ripping us off. After reading so much online about how Re-Bath operates, it is a wonder how they are even still in business as a whole. Also, as we earlier mentioned, it appears he is still trying to rip people off doing the same crap under yet another business name. That info came from online sources linked to the Re-Bath of CA on Willow.

In regard to that last sentence there is this…


Also posted by someone hiding behind the moniker “Anonymous” (could it be the same person?) on 4/1/11:


“We are the only Luxury Bath dealer in the south land. If you have a problem with our company please call or email us. We would like to address your concerns. Otherwise, Luxury Bath is a trademark and we need to defend it. The Rebath company you are refering in your post is no longer in business and was never a part of the Luxury Bath franchise.”

If the proprietor of the above referenced Luxury Bath thinks we are putting out incorrect info it should be re-stated that the discussed info came from Re-Bath of CA’s online public listing. Same old Re-Bath phone number was even listed as was the email info!

Now who wants irony? The web address "www.LUXBATHCA.com" as provided by that rejected Re-Bath franchise operator when he claimed to now be a Luxury Bath franchise takes you to the EXACT same “ACCOUNT SUSPENDED” page as trying to access the Re-Bath of California web address. Hmmm, more than JUST a coincidence?

LET’S BE CLEAR!
We never claimed to have a problem with “Luxury Bath”. Only pointed out that the Re-Bath of CA had stated they changed their name (after being kicked out of the Re-Bath family…) to “Luxury Bath”. Don’t shoot the messenger…

It is also interesting how you can be the ONLY Luxury Bath in the southland if the Willow street address is/was also a Luxury Bath at the same time. Seems you have an issue to address of someone claiming something different than you are stating. (Sounds a little like Re-Bath in that respect…)
In reality, it is your problem (Mr. Luxury Bath) if a snake (or weasel) is misleading the public by claiming it to be his business. Maybe you should confront him? Not sure if that could be simply done by looking in the mirror or not.

It is also amazing how after all this time, Re-Bath agents, (OK maybe EX-agents is a better term…) are still posting comments in this blog...


Remember, everyone, do your home work BEFORE contracting with ANYONE to do any work. Look at how many bad reviews there are for Re-Bath across the country. There is a reason for it. And since the franchise that did so much damage to our home has been disallowed the use of the Re-Bath name, and then claimed to be doing the same basic stuff using “Luxury Bath” as their business name, is it not wise to do your homework here too?

If they are not the same outfit, one would think they would be pleased to prove they never had any association with Re-Bath, or Bath-Pro (Re-Bath of California was Bath-Pro before they were Re-Bath, see earlier posts in this blog for full details). But if it is the same people, shouldn’t that history be made public to you too? Don't you want to know who you are letting into your home?

Protect yourselves consumers. Ask those pertinent questions. Check the contractor’s license number, it is free online. Verify the company name and owner’s name. Do they all check out correctly? Are they up to date? (And don’t trust the BBB, if the business is a paying member, they get a much better rating they possibly really deserve.)