Ballentine Plumbing / dishonest plumber

We had an agreement in April 2007 to include installation of a cover for the exposed pipes below the water heating unit. Informed that this cover could not be the same color as the water heater, but since there was no other option, we agreed to add the cover. Upon inspecting the job, a lack of a cover was noted. Ballentine told us it was “on order, ” and that it would be installed upon its delivery. Unable to provide an exact target date, it was expected “soon.” I paid him in full for the job, including several hundred dollars for the cover.
Spring/Summer 2007: Numerous phone calls were made to Ballentine, who continued to insist that the cover was on order, and that he was having much difficulty obtaining the cover from his source. During September 2007 thru January 2008, numerous phone messages to Ballentine were not returned.
March 2008: Ballentine returned a phone call, and now informed us that the cover was never part of the agreement, but that he was afraid to tell us this when we asked why it was not installed. He was unable to explain how he could continue to offer an incorrect story and keep us inquiring about the missing cover for almost a year. After trying to help Ballentine remember the very deliberate way the cover was decided upon, Ballentine and I decided that the best course of action would be for Ballentine to send a copy of the original contract to me, so that we could both discuss the terms there further. Ballentine never sent this copy to me, and has not returned any further phone messages.