Pictures, More Pictures...

Here are more photos showing the level of "quality" we received from Re-Bath's first attempt to do a shower installation.

This is a baseboard they cut to make the plastic wall panel fit, and the caulking they did...
Notice the nice horizontal chunk they took out of the wood? We did. This is what they considered as "finished". Would anyone reading this honestly consider this good work?

Here is an example of the caulk work they did at the tub/floor line. One of the corners where they hacked the floor up an the shower base was already shown earlier.

Also note that this was taken before we were able (allowed?) to use the shower, so the hair is not ours. Yes, a bit disgusting.



More of the trim, it was like this throughout the entire caulk job.

Here's another nice shot, note the use of silicone caulk that cannot be painted over on the ceiling.

And where they damaged the paint by their "workmanship". More unbelievable caulk work too. Yes, we were expected to pay a premium to Re-Bath for this level of work.

More chips and errant caulk...


Note that we were assured the walls and ceiling would not be damaged by the installation prior to contracting wit Re-Bath by the (unlicensed) salesman. And once it was damaged, we were told it was our responsibilty to fix it at our own expense.
Would you pay nearly $6000.00 for this level of "craftsmanship"? It certainly is not what we were sold...

Mold And Mildew

If you recall… part of the sales pitch it was that Re-Bath uses materials that have fungicide and mildew inhibitors. That the installation will not be susceptible to such growths...
Well, you guessed it, Re-Bath lied to us.
Our shower is so full of mold and mildew, even though we spray it down with the recommended (by Re-Bath no less) shower cleaner daily. And we do not live in a humid area. We have a fan and a window so it’s not like it should be a breeding ground for something “guaranteed” not to grow in this environment.

Just one more reason to NEVER DEAL WITH RE-BATH unless you enjoy having your time wasted, your intelligence insulted, and your home damaged all the while, paying through the nose for the privilege of having them screw you.

We just wanted to make sure everyone knows about this scam so we will continue to update this blog with the shortcomings of the abysmal installation attempts as they decompose. If only Re-Bath and it sleazy employees only had the life expectancy of this crappy product. Not to be confused with the B.S. line of lifetime warranty, we mean the real life of it, which makes a used Yugo look like it will last forever by comparison…

Stay tuned for more riveting drivel about one of America's worst companies and scams and how they ripped us off... Re-Bath!

It’s apparently a national scam, not just local…

While doing research and trying to get help from anyone we could to straighten out this mess Re-Bath of California started and Re-Bath of San Diego perpetuated, we found an interesting and disheartening series of facts.

All over the country we found other people who have been treated the same as we were by both their local Re-Bath franchise operators and the national corporate office of Re-Bath in Arizona.

Testimonial after testimonial, all with so many common threads it is becoming nearly impossible to believe that Re-Bath is not just a poorly run sham of a company, but truly a scam operation backed by the corporate office. Every one of the testimonials that has progressed past the local level we’ve found winds up at the feet of the same people at Re-Bath corporate and the ripped off consumers are stone-walled.

It really does seem like they have a formula to rip off people wanting a bathroom make over.

The scam starts with complaints about the professionalism of the salesperson. If the consumer contracts with the Re-Bath franchise, they are overcharged, both in the down payment and the overall cost.

Next comes the part about them not getting the materials together in a timely manner.
Then they come late, are sloppy, usually unlicensed and rarely finish in the time the quoted. More often than not they cause damage and refuse to take responsibility.
This is happening across the entire United States.

Sometimes the workers never comeback and leave the customer with an unusable mess of a bathroom. Remember one of their slogans is One-Day, No Mess, No Stress, Blah Blah Blah. They are full of it.

Next the customer tries to contact the franchise only to be treated badly if they connect, but most of the time they are blown off by Re-Bath. Many times the customer is sued by the Re-Bath franchise before the job is done too.

Almost all Re-Bath scam operators pay their Better Business Bureau dues, so it looks like they are reputable, but we’ve found the BBB is not our friend either.

So the next step is for the customer to try to contact the corporate office after being blown off by the local cheaters. Here’s where we get some interesting alternate actions from Re-Bath corporate. Sometimes they are very sympathetic sounding “shocked that such a thing could happen”. Other times they are bullied or stone-walled. But the constant is before anything gets resolved, Re-Bath corporate refuses to help, they always back the franchise no matter what. Even if they sounded like they were on your side at the beginning. Keep pushing and they start with the threatening lawyer claims.

Here’s a call to arms for all the customers who have been cheated by Re-Bath. Let’s stand together and demand a fair end to this crooked companies actions. Make them take responsibility. After all they have always said they would, they just haven’t.
The internet is a powerful tool, let’s use it and take back our bathrooms!

The Grinch Would Be Proud

This is the email that was sent by us on 6-13-08 accompanying the two counter offers:
“Subject: Release Agreement

Mr. Murdock,
The damage from the water leak caused by Re-Bath is not something that allows Re-Bath to eliminate the warranty we were given (see Heidi Seyler’s email below)in order to be compensated. The warranty and the leak damage are two separate issues. The release you submitted is not a fair agreement. You are asking us to give up our rights in order for Re-Bath to pay for damages they directly caused and are already fully liable for. Option one is payment in full, as per the punch list you requested. It fully releases Re-Bath and it's affiliates from all responsibility. Option two covers the damage done to our home by the water leak created by Re-Bath. It also requires Re-Bath to honor the warranty last issued by Heidi Seyler on 2/22/2008. It does not release Re-Bath of California from responsibility. (Email referenced is provided below.) Copies of the work orders/invoices from Pat’s Pronto Plumbing are still required for either option.”



Norm’s response was this. Kind of like a counter offer, a weak one…:

“Re-Bath is willing to amend the agreement to leave our Lifetime Manufacturer’s Warranty intact for your Re-Bath system. Please let me know if this is agreeable to you & I will amend the agreement accordingly.
Regards,
Norm Murdock,
CFE Vice President - Franchise Operations
Re-Bath LLC
421 W Alameda Dr Tempe, AZ 85282
ph 480-844-2596 ext 126
fax 480-833-7199”


And again we stated our case in hopes that they would find some compassion within their black hearts….


“Mr. Murdock,
May I suggest option one as outlined and attached in today's first email. You are again asking us to relinquish rights and not allowing fair consideration to do so. We are out of pocket that money. To make it conditional that we absolve Re-Bath of CA for any responsibility in order to be compensated for the damage they caused and are liable for is not a fair consideration or even compromise. You have the ability to close this issue. “



Nope, black as tar… He acts as if we never had the conversation where he must have deviated from the “Re-Bath rip off the customer guide book”. But then, that is predictable to us now after dealing with him for this much time.
All he offers is to uphold the warranty that they are required by law to. Since when is following the law a compromise? What an unethical manipulative cheat.
And what do they have to offer to make us think they will even honor it? This company has proven to us they have no honor. But if we are to proceed we need some answers, even though in the past, answers from them have turned out to be lies…

But we asked anyway…:

“Norm, Who will provide service should the need arise? We will require a written copy of the warranty as well as contact phone number and address of party or parties responsible for honoring the warranty before we can sign the agreement. Just to be clear, this agreement does not release Re-Bath of California from responsibility or liability. And we need the copies of the work orders/invoices from Pat’s Pronto Plumbing. Regards,”


Norm’s response was:
“Re-Bath LLC would arrange for service should you have a manufacturer's defect. We have no way of requiring the plumbing company to provide invoices as they are not a Re-Bath organization. The agreement must release Re-Bath of CA or we will not be able to proceed. Regards,
Norm Murdock,
CFEVice President - Franchise Operations
Re-Bath LLC421 W Alameda DrTempe, AZ 85282
ph 480-844-2596 ext 126
fax 480-833-719”


We may have forgotten to mention that Norm was ready to hang Randy Summy and Re-Bath of California out to be responsible for the entire mess as that is the originator of this mess.
But one only has to refer back to the Re-Bath perspective of compromise, (i.e. renege and lie), now he wants to protect him, we’re sure only in an attempt to punish us for simply standing up for our rights.
After all, to Re-Bath, the consumer is the ENEMY.

Wonder how Norm would feel reading the posts we assume Randy made threatening to "F" him up real good.

Coincidence? Highly Unlikely… And Frankly, The Comments Are Showing Quite a Bit of Ignorance.

Apparently this blog about the problems experienced while dealing with Re-Bath has struck a nerve…
We do see the humor and folly in this, but it is equally unsettling and disturbing.

All we wanted to do was point out how badly we were treated by Re-Bath and help inform other potential consumers so they could protect themselves from going through a hellish ordeal like we endured by being foolish enough to contract with Re-Bath.

But now the comments coming in response to our blog would suggest our most vocal readers have some “issues”. Anger? Oh yes, it sure seems like it. Mental instability? Again, it really seems like it.
Or could it simply be a case of the offender throwing another tantrum?

We’ve assumed, (and with good reason), some of the people we’ve dealt with through Re-Bath were, shall we say unbalanced, certainly predisposed to not have a firm grasp on the truth. But if these recent comment posts are indeed from Re-Bath affiliates, and therefore a possible indication of their state of mind, it is very alarming.
Remember, this is a company who initiated the problems and lied to us from the beginning, and got caught doing it; all we did was tried to defend ourselves from their dishonest practices and try to obtain fair compensation for the damage they ultimately caused.

This may only be a coincidence, but how utterly ironic can it be that only days after Randy Summy/Re-Bath of CA was notified by the California State Contractors License Board about the impending fine for illegal actions, this blog received a barrage of snide and juvenile “retorts”?
The timing is absolutely astounding!
Add to that, the majority of these comments arrived on the exact anniversary of the first bungled and botched attempt by Re-Bath of CA to install the low quality bathroom products they sold us.

We can assume it is Randy that is doing this. We can only guess the little jerk thinks it is safer to rage at us hiding behind a keyboard instead of prank phone calling this time around. There is a precedent that leads us to believe this is the situation. (See an earlier entry in this blog for an explanation if you wish. Blog post Friday September 6th 2008.)

And whether it is him, or possibly some other jerk(s), why only post by anonymous snipes? What is there to be afraid of? Too childish to stand up for the words you try to type? Feel like a big person firing off drivel while hiding like a little girl behind the shield of a computer? Think you really have any power when lying with the protection of assumed anonymity?

And no, we will not be publishing those unimaginative, curse filled comments that are basically what amount to no more than another childish temper tantrum, or on a more positive spin, a very pitiful effort at Lord knows what type of humor.

---------------------------------------------------------------

By the way, to the moron(s) who posted these comments, please, at least learn how to use spell check, we realize it is probably asking too much to request that you to actually learn how to spell, or even fathom what the words you are trying write truly mean.
Honestly, it made the writer (and we use that term loosely) sound like an absolute idiot, or maybe it is just that is what they are. Or maybe it’s time they put down the bottle before trying to communicate.
Thank us later for not allowing those posts to see the light of day. With as much refuse as is already floating around the internet, there was no need to pollute it anymore with garbage, and that is all it was, pollution.

---------------------------------------------------------------

While we welcome coherent comments and outside points of view in this blog, even ones that differ from our own, we also were intelligent enough to know there would be idiots such as the one(s) attempting to comment in these recent days. Of course we review all comments before allowing them to be posted. If someone wishes to post, we hope they can muster the mental ability to write something that is understandable and coherent, and not peppered with profanity. If that minimal goal is achieved, we will probably post it as we have in the past.

---------------------------------------------------------------

And a special sarcastic "thanks" to whomever posted (We can only assume it to be Randy Summy of Re-Bath CA, but yes, it is only an assumption) the offers to physically punish Re-Bath and its employees (Norm Murdock to be specific) in such a colorful way. We could also assume it is a misdirected show of allegiance to support our side of the described abominable situations created by Re-Bath, but we do not encourage nor participate in that type of behavior.
And it is actually rather disgusting what you advocate doing. You either need to take a step back and look at what you are doing in your life, or get some psychological help (and maybe sober up too) before you hurt yourself or anyone else.
(However, if in the case of the Darwinian theories holding true, you should only be on this earth but for a short time longer due to your own trials and tribulations, therefore absolving the rest of humanity from concerning themselves with you.)
But continuing to post such violent drivel will not do anything but show us the sad reality of your mental illness (or maybe simply your need to lash out from your perceived secure hole in the ground to fulfill something in your tiny unrewarding life) and require us to delete it.

Re-Baths Idea Of “Fair” Compensation… Not Fair to the Customer For Sure

Here is a copy of the very one sided release Re-Bath wanted us to sign to release them from all responsibility before they would pay for the damage they caused. Not all of the damage even, as mentioned earlier this was a compromise.

Imagine, demanding this forfeiture of rights to pay for damages they are 100% liable for.
Names and addresses are deleted for safety, but the rest is just how it was presented by Re-Bath.


GENERAL RELEASE

This General Release (“Release”) is made, this ____ day of June, 2008, NAME DELETED, an individual residing at ADDRESS DELETED (“Releasor”), in favor of ReBath, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its franchisees, Re-Bath of CA and Re-Bath of San Diego.
In consideration for the sum of $5,050.00 paid by ReBath, LLC to Releasor, consisting of $4,800 for water damage repair, as per NAME DELETED Construction proposal #1875, and $250 for paint repair, as per Releasor’s 6/4/08 punch list, Releasor hereby releases and forever discharges ReBath, LLC, Re-Bath of CA and Re-Bath of San Diego, and their respective members, officers, directors, members, agents, employees, affiliates, attorneys, successors and assigns (collectively, “Releasees”) of and from any and all obligations and defaults, actions, causes of action, suits, proceedings, disputes, rights, claims and demands, at law or in equity (whether real or contingent, known or unknown) that Releasor ever had, now has or may hereafter against any of the Releasees, arising out of or in connection with the bath remodeling work performed in Releasor’s home at ADDRESS DELETED by a Re-Bath franchisee, and any explicit or implied warranty with respect to such work.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Releasor has executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.



RELEASOR:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talk about slanted and self serving!

Notice the wording “In favor of Re-Bath”. In favor of? They are paying out, in effect Losing. Yet they choose that phrasing? Got a bit of an excessive ego going on there maybe? A bit full of yourselves? Yeah, everyone knows what you are full of…

They word it in a way to try to void their own warranty and absolve them selves of any and all liability and responsibility.

Again, what good is a Re-Bath warranty? If you need to use it, they will try to void it just like this.

Of course they did not get that returned signed; instead pair of fairer options was presented to them, including an easy way off the hook for them.
But do you think they considered that?

Dealing with Re-Bath is like dealing with a spoiled child, a spoiled bratty bully who hides behind an ignorant mommy or daddy who thinks they can do no wrong when they don’t get their way.


Tune in later for more exciting Re-Crap Capers and Deception… Same Crap Time, Same Crap Channel… Don’t touch that dial! (It has re-crap on it!)
You’d think with all they sling, they would be in the toilet business more than the bath and shower end.
Sorry, gotta have a sense of humor…

Re-Bath Apparently Requires a Little Legal Refresher Course About Warranty Obligations

We had to send this on 6-13-2008 after reviewing the “release” Re-Bath corporate sent, seems someone was either going the extra mile to cheat us, or was very ignorant:

“Mr. Murdock,
The damage from the water leak caused by Re-Bath is not something that allows Re-Bath to eliminate the warranty we were given (see Heidi Seyler’s email below*) in order to be compensated. The warranty and the leak damage are two separate issues. The release you submitted is not a fair agreement. You are asking us to give up our rights in order for Re-Bath to pay for damages they directly caused and are already fully liable for.

Option one is payment in full, as per the punch list you requested. It fully releases Re-Bath and its affiliates from all responsibility.

Option two covers the damage done to our home by the water leak created by Re-Bath. It also requires Re-Bath to honor the warranty last issued by Heidi Seyler on 2/22/2008. It does not release Re-Bath of California from responsibility. (Email referenced is provided below.)

Copies of the work orders/invoices from Pat’s Pronto Plumbing are still required for either option.

Regards

*Below is the email from Heidi Seyler referenced in the above email response:

In a message dated 2/22/2008 7:32:19 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, hseyler@rebath.com writes:

In an effort to resolve the dispute regarding the installation that was done by Re-Bath of California, Re-Bath LLC has contracted with San Diego Re-Bath to complete the following work:

1. Remove the wall surround, shower pan and shower seat
2. Install a new shower pan, wall surround, shower seat and window kit
3. Build up wall to make flush and even; including near light switch and fixtures
4. Re-install the existing shower door

Upon your agreement to the completion of the above work, San Diego Re-Bath will order the required materials and contact you to schedule the installation. Once the above installation is complete, you will receive the Re-Bath Limited Lifetime Warranty on the materials used. San Diego Re-Bath will offer their standard workmanship/labor warranty of one year.

I apologize for your inconvenience and hope to receive your approval on the above scope of work. No further work beyond the above items will be completed. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Regards,

Heidi Seyler
Re-Bath, LLC”



It sure appears that when Re-Bath executives decide to do something, they feel they are not limited by the promises made by others in their organization, (or themselves for that matter) or the laws the rest of the world are bound by either.

Why Won’t Re-Bath Take Responsibility for the Damage They’ve Caused to Our Home!?

The following is the response we sent on June 5th, 2008, regarding an earlier conversation that took place the same day with Norm Murdock, a VP at Re-Bath corporate, and now we find out a dishonest fellow to boot:

“Mr. Murdock,
First of all, just to be clear, while I am responding via email, that is not an acceptable offer.

Frankly, I am very disappointed and somewhat confused by your response to the Punch List you requested we provide to you. Especially considering what you wrote in the email dated 5-19-08. I thought you were being genuinely sincere:
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“First of all let me apologize for the unpleasant experience you have had with Re-Bath. We aim to complete all customers' jobs in a timely fashion to their complete satisfaction.”
“We would like to resolve these issues quickly to avoid any further delay & makesure you are fully satisfied. Please feel free to e-mail this list directly to me.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

During a subsequent phone conversation on 5-20-08, Mr. Murdock, you offered to reimburse us for the $2900.00 down payment and our court costs incurred when Randy Summy sued us for final payment before completion of the job. We provided the Punch List you requested, with itemized costs and explanations. We promptly provided you with a quote from a licensed contractor, even offered to get a second quote but were told by Heidi Seyler not to provide a second quote.

Please explain to us what has changed? Why are you now unwilling to pay the full costs to repair the damages directly caused by Re-Bath’s employees’ carelessness? All we asked was to be fairly compensated and have the work that was performed documented for our records. (I'm sure if you were in the same situation you would want the same for your home and family.) These items, we were told on multiple occasions by various Re-Bath employees and representatives, would be taken care of and provided. Yet they have not been. Even you Mr. Murdock, said and wrote that you would resolve these issues to our full satisfaction. I took you at your word.

We have been patient, and in return our house has been continually damaged, and ourselves inconvenienced further with every attempt by Re-Bath to “fix” what they did wrong. We did not ask to be victimized by the franchises of Re-Bath, we’ve bent over backwards to be accommodating, we just wanted what we were originally sold. But every time we trusted a Re-Bath employee to do what they said they would do, they failed us, to the point of them causing major damage to our home and sometimes insulting us. We have been lied to by the installers, salespeople and management. In fact you have been lied to by them too judging from what I have been told has been said about us from Heidi Seyler and you Mr. Murdock.

The repair quote alone for the kitchen ceiling and the bathroom floor is $4800.00. That does not include the repainting of the bathroom ceiling (which you offered to pay) or the $2900.00 deposit, courts fees and compensation for lost time and major inconvenience that you orally offered in the aforementioned phone discussion.
Again, Mr. Murdock, I was led to believe from your email and phone conversation that you as a representative of Re-Bath were willing to correct the mistakes made by the franchises. Your offer of $4300.00 with no liability whatsoever not an acceptable, reasonable or fair offer. That amount is not enough to cover the expenses required to repair the damages done by Re-Bath. In fact the out of pocket costs well exceed $8000.00 to date.

Please consider this situation from our point of view.
Honestly, how would you feel, and what would you do?
If you contracted with a company who did not meet its obligations, yet took it upon themselves to cause you more and more trouble and aggravation, resorting to personal attacks and harassment, even to the point causing them more work to do the wrong thing than just to do the job right? And in the end, damaging far more that just the small area they were to improve in “One Day, with No Mess, No Stress, No Inconvenience”, and dragging it out for over 8 months so far.
That is honestly how we have been treated by the California Re-Bath franchises.

As I mentioned in previous emails and phone conversations, we would like to get the repairs scheduled so we can try to return to a normal life as soon as possible. Re-Bath caused the damage and already agreed to pay for it. Please let’s get this resolved fairly. Considering how this has been handled, I would think Re-Bath would want it to be resolved as much as we do.
I expect to be able to speak to someone at Re-Bath corporate with the authority to discuss and possibly make a fair resolution by midday Friday June 6th, 2008. I will call if I am not contacted first.
Sincerely,”

HelpfulHal of course…