Able plumber unable to clear blockage

Last November my 98-year-old mother called a plumber to clear a blocked toilet. He came from the Able Group, with a head office located in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, and the only reason my mother chose them was because they had a big advert in the local trade directory. The blockage wasn't cleared and the plumber charged £123 for the experience. All he did was pour water down the pan and there was no sign of any rods or jetting equipment being used. I have tried complaining but all that has been offered is a measly 10% refund as a gesture of goodwill. JE, London After the Able plumber left your mother's home you managed to find another tradesman recommended by a friend who came out, unblocked the toilet with a jetting machine and charged £40. Finding a good plumber can be difficult and contacting the company with the biggest advert – Able actually have six – is not always the best method. After contacting the operations director for the Able Group, he admitted there had been suspicions about the working practices of the plumber who had called at your mother's house and he has since been sacked. It's a shame, then, that it took a phone call from Capital Letters to make it own up but a refund for £123 has now been sent. Steve Playle is team leader at Surrey Trading Standards Service. We welcome letters but regret we cannot answer individually. Email: [email protected] Please include a daytime phone number