Bates Electric — Local services in Fort Mill

I made an appt for a Bates technician to come do an estimate on several things in the 82yr old house I just bought. The soonest appt was 2.5wks out, but I took it anyway. I made a sooner appt with another company too. I was told when making the appt with Bates, that it would be $125/hr, so that is what I was expecting to pay. Despite the Bates fee of $125 being higher for a quote, my electrical safety concerns were great enough to want a 2nd opinion. I hadn’t received a reminder text or email for Bates to come, so I had to call back the day before to confirm. The lady confirmed the appt & reminded me again of the $125 service fee (I still only heard of $125, despite the different terminology).

The technician was on time & friendly, telling me what he suspected the quotes would be (cheaper than first company). When we were settling up, he asked if I knew it would be $250. I told him I was told $125/hr, to which he stated the customer is usually surprised at the $250 quote fee, implying that this info is not made very clear at the time of scheduling. Apparently, it’s $125/hr AND a $125 service fee, when the guy was only here for 30min! Maybe I should’ve noticed the different verbiage from the scheduler, but I’ve worked in customer service for years & many people would’ve made this mistake. I would NOT have made an appt with Bates had I known the cost of a quote. I received an email same day with my invoice, but I never received a quote. I called the next day to inquire & was told that quotes take 5-7 business days to receive! I can’t wait that long, plus another 2-3wks for another appt. I wasted an extremely valuable $250, & I am still waiting for my quote after 9 business days.

This company’s schedulers need to make it clear what exactly quote cost will be & how long it will take to receive quote. Most families cannot afford $250 for a quote. The other company cost $69 for a quote that I received same day. That’s better...

Very disappointed with Bates Electric. I already moreless chose an electrician for a job, but wanted to do my final checks before moving forward. To be fair, the scheduler seems to be my main concern with lack of empathy from management. The actual electrician team seem extremely experienced.

The scheduler was not knowledgeable nor clear with what they said. I described my situation clearly and suggested I needed a meter back put in and a panel and I was asking for ball park prices for the service. She responded with $1800 for just the panel plus $150 for permits. Which I was just wanting to get a panel of service and this is what I asked about. I scheduled a visit for $250 since the next best price was $3k.

Well I get a quote back and its almost $4k, I called and said this is no where close to the number on the phone. Ballparks are ballparks, but over double didn't make sense. Well speaking to the team and manager I was told the scheduler said the panel was $1.8k for just that material. That didn't include any other materials or the service. They went back to listen to my call and I ask for a ball park and she clearly said "just the panel", but given the context seemed on par for what we were talking about. The manager was sympathetic suggesting clearly the scheduler didn't answer my question rather just said something else. But, the manager suggested this was my fault for not catching her redirecting my question. Also she no longer works there, so makes me think this isn't the only time.

As I mentioned company seems knowledgeable, but assume the scheduler will provide false info. I felt very bait and switch with the situation and out $250 for nothing. I understand companies can't always come out for free, but providing misleading numbers is part of the reason they have so many quotes in the first place. Even with a knowledgeable group I would rather do business with a team that doesn't feel like a...

Never used them for actual electrical work, however, Bates' drivers are reckless and have zero regard for the rules of the road and public safety. Today, September 22, 2023 at approximately 1:30PM, I was traveling on 7th Avenue on Charlotte behind a funeral service guided by the Sheriff Department. A Bates' van cuts directly into the service line from a parking lot causing additional traffic. Fortunately for the service, they turned right onto McDowell Street and this Bates' van was turning left. I, unfortunately, was also intending to turn left from 7th Avenue onto McDowell Street, and stopped behind the van at the intersection. Both the Bates' van and I turned left onto McDowell Street and established ourselves in the left lane. This reckless driver changes to the right lane without a blinker than without warning U-turns from the right lane, cutting me off, and leaving only 3ft from the front of my car and the side of his van. I was fortunate that I was a safe distance behind him, but had I not slammed on my breaks coming to a complete stop, this would have resulted in a severe t-bone collision. McDowell Street is a double yellow line and its clear this Bates' driver had zero regard for his surrounding. I am writing this review because this type of driving is reckless and companies like Bates' that provide its employees vehicles need to train their drivers to be safe and track driving habits to correct this kind of wanton behavior. Bates, I hope this review leaves you enough information to investigate this driver and discipline him according. Charlotte, if you see a Bates' van on the roadway proceed with extra caution because these vans are...