Latest news with #ThaiBistro&Bar
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indiana plumber returns to re-clog a pipe at a restaurant after a dispute over the bill. Here's what went down
Running a small business isn't easy, especially when it's a restaurant. A number of things could go wrong on any day that could upend your entire operation. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it That's what happened to Jesse Sanders, the operations manager at Thai Bistro & Bar in Evansville, Indiana. According to a report by local television station WFIE, when the restaurant's grease trap started to overflow, they called Heavrin Plumbing Company to help fix it. Three days later, Sanders called the company again because the same issue was happening. However, Sanders was shocked that the bill for the second job was 66% higher for the same work at $390. The explanation for the increase was that the plumber returned the second time to unclog the grease trap during what was considered overtime hours. Sanders refused to pay the second bill, and the next morning he received a text message saying that the plumber had returned to the restaurant. 'He put a balloon into our grease trap,' said Sanders. The plumber said he would not remove it until the bill was paid. The restaurant was given around an hour to pay their bill before the plumber left for the weekend. Sanders told reporters if the balloon was left in the grease trap, it would have overflowed and the restaurant would have been flooded with dirty water. 'Basically, we would've had to shut down,' he said. He called the police to help mediate. The police told WFIE that matters where there are disputes over work done and invoice payments would normally be settled in small claims court. However, Joel Heavrin, the owner of the plumbing company, decided going that route wasn't worth his time. He also defended his actions to WFIE by saying that his business offers no warranty for drain cleaning. 'I don't have a magic wand I can wave and remove all the garbage and debris from the drain line,' he said. 'What we can do is we can snake it, we can verify that it's open and working correctly. Which is what we did.' He added that Thai Bistro & Bar has a history of being slow to make payments. After the police arrived, Thai Bistro & Bar ended up paying the invoice, which was marked 'paid under protest,' and Heavrin Plumbing removed the blockage. 'It's ridiculous that it had to come down to this,' Sanders said. Read more: The US stock market's 'fear gauge' has exploded — but this 1 'shockproof' asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Here's how to own it ASAP Property owners or operators who need to hire other businesses for services like plumbing may be able to avoid these issues by taking a few precautions. For one, do your research before you need to call any business. Check to see if the business is reputable and read any reviews from third-party organizations like the Better Business Bureau. Consider looking at how the business has handled any disputes in the past. When you do engage with a company, ask the representative about specific fees for any work you may need done. It could be the case that a service provider may not be able to give you an exact quote until the worker shows up. Still, you may be able to at least get a price range so you know what to expect. Asking about potential add-ons like extra surcharges for rush jobs or work outside of business hours could help you prepare for increased costs. Whatever answers you get, be sure to document them, including the name of the person you spoke with. When you do hire a company, be sure to double check the fees before any work is done. If possible, get a copy of the invoice and resolve any issues before the service person leaves. Worst case scenario, you may have to go through small claims court to settle the matter. Each state will have its own rules around how it handles minor legal disputes, such as the dollar amount involved. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plumber re-clogs restaurant's pipes after dispute over unpaid bill
A Thai restaurant and a plumbing company in Indiana are facing off after a plumber returned to re-clog a pipe over a disputed bill. Jesse Sanders, Thai Bistro & Bar operations manager, told local news outlet WFIE that their Evansville restaurant recently called Heavrin Plumbing to un-clog a blocked grease trap. That first bill was $235. But the clog returned three days later, and Sanders called Heavrin Plumbing again. After the second job, the new bill was $390 because the plumber returned on overtime, WFIE reports. The restaurant said they were frustrated because the 'same drain clogged just days after being serviced' and it 'didn't feel right to be charged again.' 'We didn't refuse to pay—we just said we wouldn't pay on the spot, which we're allowed to do since we still had time under the payment terms,' the restaurant wrote in a statement on Facebook late Thursday. The next day, Heavrin Plumbing returned and re-clogged the grease trap with a balloon, telling the restaurant they wouldn't remove it until the bill was paid, WFIE reported. Heavrin Plumbing owner Joel Heavrin told WFIE the company doesn't offer warranties on drain cleaning. 'I don't have a magic wand I can wave and remove all the garbage and debris the drain line,' Heavrin said. 'What we can do is, we can snake it; we can make sure that it's open and working correctly. Which is what we did.' Still, the resteraunt was baffled when the pipe was re-clogged. 'The following day we received a text message saying that he's on our property,' Sanders told the outlet. 'He put a balloon into our grease trap, and he's not going to remove it until we pay.' The plumber told Sanders he would be leaving for the weekend in one hour, WFIE reports. 'If we were to leave the balloon in there, it would overflow the restaurant with water, dirty water from the grease trap,' Sanders added. 'Basically, we would've had to shut down.' Heavrin told WFIE the restaurant had a history of paying late in the past. The restaurant disputed this claim in its statement on Facebook. 'We have paid all of our bills. We operate on NET 15 or NET 30 terms, meaning invoices are paid by their due dates—including the plumbing invoice (which is on a Net 15),' the restaurant's statement reads. 'Nothing is outstanding or past due. Nothing is overdue, and I'm more than willing to share proof if needed.' Sanders called the police, asking them to mediate the situation, WFIE reports. The Evansville Police Department said these matters are typically decided in small claims court, but Heavrin said he didn't want to go that far. 'Frankly it was not worth me pursuing it in court,' he says. 'It was not worth my time, just wasn't worth it for me.' Ultimately, the plumber removed the blockage and the restaurant paid the bill, but marked it as 'paid under protest.' The restaurant stands by its actions. 'As a small business owner, I believe we had every right to question a charge that felt unnecessary,' the statement reads. 'We weren't trying to cause conflict—we were simply asking for fairness.' The Independent has contacted Heavrin Plumbing and Thai Bistro & Bar for comment.
The Independent
28-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Plumber re-clogs restaurant's pipes after dispute over unpaid bill
A Thai restaurant and a plumbing company in Indiana are facing off after a plumber returned to re-clog a pipe over a disputed bill. Jesse Sanders, Thai Bistro & Bar operations manager, told local news outlet WFIE that their Evansville restaurant recently called Heavrin Plumbing to un-clog a blocked grease trap. That first bill was $235. But the clog returned three days later, and Sanders called Heavrin Plumbing again. After the second job, the new bill was $390 because the plumber returned on overtime, WFIE reports. The restaurant said they were frustrated because the 'same drain clogged just days after being serviced' and it 'didn't feel right to be charged again.' 'We didn't refuse to pay—we just said we wouldn't pay on the spot, which we're allowed to do since we still had time under the payment terms,' the restaurant wrote in a statement on Facebook late Thursday. The next day, Heavrin Plumbing returned and re-clogged the grease trap with a balloon, telling the restaurant they wouldn't remove it until the bill was paid, WFIE reported. Heavrin Plumbing owner Joel Heavrin told WFIE the company doesn't offer warranties on drain cleaning. 'I don't have a magic wand I can wave and remove all the garbage and debris the drain line,' Heavrin said. 'What we can do is, we can snake it; we can make sure that it's open and working correctly. Which is what we did.' Still, the resteraunt was baffled when the pipe was re-clogged. 'The following day we received a text message saying that he's on our property,' Sanders told the outlet. 'He put a balloon into our grease trap, and he's not going to remove it until we pay.' The plumber told Sanders he would be leaving for the weekend in one hour, WFIE reports. 'If we were to leave the balloon in there, it would overflow the restaurant with water, dirty water from the grease trap,' Sanders added. 'Basically, we would've had to shut down.' Heavrin told WFIE the restaurant had a history of paying late in the past. The restaurant disputed this claim in its statement on Facebook. 'We have paid all of our bills. We operate on NET 15 or NET 30 terms, meaning invoices are paid by their due dates—including the plumbing invoice (which is on a Net 15),' the restaurant's statement reads. 'Nothing is outstanding or past due. Nothing is overdue, and I'm more than willing to share proof if needed.' Sanders called the police, asking them to mediate the situation, WFIE reports. The Evansville Police Department said these matters are typically decided in small claims court, but Heavrin said he didn't want to go that far. 'Frankly it was not worth me pursuing it in court,' he says. 'It was not worth my time, just wasn't worth it for me.' Ultimately, the plumber removed the blockage and the restaurant paid the bill, but marked it as 'paid under protest.' The restaurant stands by its actions. 'As a small business owner, I believe we had every right to question a charge that felt unnecessary,' the statement reads. 'We weren't trying to cause conflict—we were simply asking for fairness.'
