The Toilet Tank Caper
It’s a fast-paced world, unexpected expenses come up, and it’s easy to feel cornered into paying whatever price is presented to you. And if you don’t watch your ass, people will take it vantage of you. Yesterday, I faced an “emergency” plumbing repair, and the plumber charged $280, claiming $150 of it was for a part alone. Feeling uneasy about the cost, I decided to take a step back and verify the charges using a modern tool we often overlook for practical uses—ChatGPT.
When the plumber handed me the invoice, I sensed something was off. The labor and “emergency” visit felt steep, but it was the part’s price that raised my eyebrows. Without hesitation, I turned to ChatGPT, an AI tool that has been a game-changer in many of my professional and personal projects. After uploading photos and detailing the situation, I discovered that the part typically retails for $10 to $20—a far cry from the $150 I was charged.
The Breakdown: Holding Businesses Accountable with AI
Armed with this information, I reached out to the plumber for a detailed breakdown. Knowing that I had both Square and American Express protections, as well as the platforms like Thumbtack, Google, and Yelp for public reviews, I politely requested a correction of the charges. Here’s why this matters:
- Fair Pricing is a Right, Not a Privilege: In any business interaction, there’s an expectation that customers won’t be taken advantage of. By using AI, I was able to verify that the “emergency” markup didn’t extend to unreasonable part pricing.
- Empowering Consumers with AI: AI tools like ChatGPT offer consumers a quick way to gain insight and knowledge that would have otherwise required hours of research or expert input. In this case, it enabled me to identify price gouging and protect my finances.
- The Power of Accountability: With AI backing my claim, I approached the plumber with confidence, knowing I had verified data. I communicated my findings professionally, letting them know that I expected an adjustment, or I’d escalate the matter with a dispute and a review on all relevant platforms.
Why This Story Matters: Using AI for Fairness in Daily Life
This experience underscores a new age of consumer empowerment. With AI at our fingertips, we no longer have to accept the first price we’re told. From checking market rates to verifying parts and service charges, tools like ChatGPT can assist us in becoming well-informed, proactive consumers.
AI is more than a technology trend—it’s a powerful ally for transparency and fairness. Today, it helped me turn an unfair charge into a fair transaction, and it can do the same for anyone who’s willing to take a few extra steps. With AI, we all have a voice, a safeguard, and a relentless partner in our quest for what’s right.
STARDATE 10312024 – The text messages to & from the plumber came to a point when I had to say:
I SAID: “Sir, you can narrate that however you want I believe there’s a difference of $50. My suggestion to you is that you make this right and that you do it by 5 pm.
HE SAID: “Smh you want me to send you $50 ?”
I SAID: “Her Cash App is…”
Family, STICK TO YOUR GUNS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE RIGHT! #dropsmic
