Entitled Homeowners Refused to Pay My Plumber Dad – They Thought They Were the Smartest, but He Had the Last Laugh
My dad has been a plumber for over 30 years, and in that time, he’s dealt with all kinds of customers—some good, some bad, and some who thought they were too smart for their own good. But there’s one story that still makes me proud to this day: the time an entitled couple refused to pay him, thinking they could get free work, but my dad got the last laugh.
It all started when a wealthy couple hired my dad to fix a major plumbing issue in their home. They lived in a massive house in an expensive neighborhood, the kind of place where people acted like they were above everyone else. They had a busted underground pipe causing serious water damage, and they needed my dad’s expertise to fix it fast.
My dad spent three full days digging, replacing the damaged pipes, and making sure their plumbing was in perfect condition. When he finished, he cleaned up everything and even double-checked the system to ensure it was running smoothly. The couple seemed pleased—until it was time to pay.
Suddenly, their attitudes shifted.
“Oh, we thought this was just an estimate,” the wife said, feigning surprise.
“Yes, we never agreed to pay this much,” the husband added, despite the fact that they had signed a contract before my dad even started working.
My dad remained calm and professional, reminding them of the signed agreement. But they smirked, clearly thinking they could intimidate him. “Well, we’re not going to pay,” the husband said flatly. “So, I guess you’ll have to take us to court.”
What they didn’t realize was that my dad had seen this trick before, and he was always one step ahead. Instead of arguing, he simply packed up his tools and left. But not before making one small adjustment—the pipes he had installed had an access valve, which he quietly closed before walking out.
A few days later, he got a frantic call from the couple. Their water wasn’t working. They were furious, demanding that he come back immediately to fix it. My dad calmly told them that since they hadn’t paid him for the original work, he wasn’t obligated to do anything else. If they wanted their water back, they had two choices: pay him what they owed, or hire another plumber to redo the entire job.
Realizing they had backed themselves into a corner, they caved. They transferred the full payment that very afternoon, along with an extra fee for the inconvenience. Only then did my dad return to turn the valve back on—a two-minute fix that could have been avoided if they had just honored their agreement.
The best part? They never tried to cheat another tradesman again. My dad didn’t just get paid; he taught them a valuable lesson about respect. And to this day, I still smile knowing that my dad got the last laugh.
