AVOID! Extortionate rip off Dire experience following a callout to ‘Plumbers in Putney‘ (South Star Plumbers). Problem was a faulty stopcock valve which had cut off water supply to flat. Their callout out fee increased from £ 79 to 149 (£179 with VAT) being early Saturday evening but was said to cover small repairs. Plumber went off to get replacement valve which took 40 minutes. He returned to fit valve (cost £15) and repair took him 20 minutes; he indicated that the job hadbeen uncomplicated. Before plumber’s return with the stopcock valve I received an email direct from the Company outlining charges: £1219 inclusive of VAT! (£ 867 for the repair plus callout fee £149); Parts were extra. I rang the company in shock at this extortionate charge which I told them I could not pay. When plumber returned it was stated the callout fee £ 179 had to be paid and I would still need to pay more to get the repair done elsewhere, to restore water supply . I was then offered and accepted in my huge predicament, a reduced fee of £ 798 inclusive of repair and callout. I additionally paid the plumber £ 20 in cash for the valve /VAT, to avoid further inflated costs. The total I paid of £ 818 represents gross overcharging by company, out of all proportion for the job, and there appears to be manipulation in producing an even higher initial, extortionate charge. I was asked to make payment was to ‘ Southstar S/S plumbers’, the umbrella company for ‘Plumbers in Putney Ltd ’ incorporated in 2020 . My cash payment of £20 was never acknowledged by receipt. Subsequently noted there are many negative internet reviews for ‘S/S plumbers’ mentioning extortion, overcharging, scammers, conmen and thieves etc and to avoid this company. I also realised that the company that I should have approached, ‘Putney Plumbers’ has put out an internet appeal to not confuse them with SS Plumbers and their subsidiary. From my experience as of others; Do not fall victim to this plumbing and emergency callout service. Avoid, avoid ‘PLUMBERS in PUTNEY/ ‘SS( Southstar) PLUMBERS’ Watch out for fake positive reviews with this company.