Customer demanded free snake job after 'do it yourself' PEX disaster

So I'm up in Minnesota and we get this call for a clog in the main line, turns out the homeowner tried installing PEX-A himself watching some YouTube tutorial and botched the crimp connections bad. I show up, snake the whole mess out with my Ridgid K-400, and pull out a wad of plastic shavings and what looks like half a SharkBite fitting he jammed in there wrong. Guy's like 'I watched Roger Wakefield's video on this, it shoulda worked!' and then tries to haggle me down to free because 'you're just pulling out my own crap.' I charge him the full $250 diagnostic plus $450 to redo the whole run with proper Viega fittings, and he leaves a 2-star review calling me a ripoff. NGL, I laughed in my truck after, but man these DIYers are killing me. Anyone else dealing with this BS? Saw a similar rant in Plumbers United group last week.

Homeowners thinking YouTube makes them pros is the death of us all.

DIY PEX jobs are a nightmare, always end up redoing it anyway.

that sounds exactly like my last job, felt that.

screw those guys, walk away if they push too hard.

SharkBites aren't the devil, but idiots using them are.

been there, hang in there man.

classic, DIYers gonna DIY.

document everything, CYA always.

lmao, Roger Wakefield must be cringing.

we all have those stories.

PEX is easy till it's not.

hang in there, brother.

same here in the burbs.

those reviews sting but fade.

SharkBite haters unite, but tbh they work fine.

don't get me started on crimps.

felt that frustration.

lmao at the fitting wad.

why even try DIY plumbing?

call a pro next time.

SharkBites are trash for mains.

DIYers are the worst clients.

we get it, tough day.

repipe with PEX-B, cheaper fix.

had a guy do the same.

inspectors hate that crap too.

laugh it off, next job.

SharkBite for emergencies only.

solid advice.

we've all been screwed by one.

use uponor next time.

DIY boom from covid still haunts us.

that review? ignore it.

SharkBites behind walls? fight me.

call the cops on bad installs.

they learn the hard way.

same old story.

document and charge.

what was the clog from?

we feel you.

SharkBite works if done right.

pro tip: upcharge DIY fixes.

NotAnElectrician here, but plumbing sux.

those guys suck.

flat rate it next time.

been there.

use the review to your advantage.

SharkBites are fine imo.

we get it.

repipe with pro tools.

lmao DIY.

charge what you're worth.

don't do freebies.

solid story.

PEX-A is king.

we all hate them.

that guy's an idiot.

funny as hell.

had one pull a gun almost.

SharkBite debate again?

call it a day.

DIYers ruining pipes.

we feel ya.

lmao.

those clients.

pro move.

use brass fittings.

we've all laughed at that.

DIY special.

solid vent.

insurance nightmare.

$450 well earned.

don't touch that.

SharkBites suck.

had worse.

we get it.

pro tip: video the mess.

DIY hell.

charge em.

funny story.

same.

lmao at the review.

what's your go-to snake?

we feel that.

DIY plague.

solid.

$250 diag is fair.

proud you stood your ground.