A/C just died.

[MrFreeze]

Man, saying someone got screwed over $42 more is a wild take

No doubt. I'm not coming to your house and changing a capacitor for less than $400. Irrelevant what the part costs, you pay for the time of the person who is smart enough to figure out what it is, has it in his van, and is running a business with all the associated overhead. $220 is dirt cheap for the service received. Unless it's still 1983 and nobody told me?

MrFreeze

 

[Dakotadadv8]

No doubt. I'm not coming to your house and changing a capacitor for less than $400. Irrelevant what the part costs, you pay for the time of the person who is smart enough to figure out what it is, has it in his van, and is running a business with all the associated overhead. $220 is dirt cheap for the service received. Unless it's still 1983 and nobody told me?

MrFreeze

Never understood the whining about high service charges. If you don’t want to pay it do it yourself or get the cheapest service and pay later. I am a cheapskate so I do most things myself, enjoy the tasks, and like buying tool.

 

[mike93lx]

Never understood the whining about high service charges. If you don’t want to pay it do it yourself or get the cheapest service and pay later. I am a cheapskate so I do most things myself, enjoy the tasks, and like buying tool.

The funny thing here is that the OP isn't whining. He got what he needed for a price he was OK with

 

[Notgrownup]

You got screwed.

I paid $178 in Tucson in April.

one man family run business, ( plus a cousin and his son who is learning the business.).

Great guy. I called at 5:30 an he was there at 6:00. He agreed it was likely the cap.

All done in less time then it would have taken me to find the correct cap.

Takes a lot
More than $40 to think I got screwed

 

[danski0224]

$42?

 

[finn]

Man, saying someone got screwed over $42 more is a wild take

I’m frugal so what can I say.

Also, sarcasm goes over more people’s head than I ever suspected.

On the other hand, I wasn’t able to retire at 57 1/2 by throwing $42 away a couple of times a day for 40 years

 

[danski0224]

On the other hand, I wasn’t able to retire at 57 1/2 by throwing $42 away a couple of times a day for 40 years

Same here...

 

[rjn2649]

My wife got ripped off years ago for a cap, $300 on a furnace "tune up" call. I was furious. The kicker was the ***** left the old cap behind! Of course my meter showed it as good, and there was no physical deformities. It actually got put into use this last winter and worked fine (until the blower motor bearings gave out) new cap with new motor.
Our 1983 Carrier died, begging of June. She got bought the house with it, and we got our moneys worth. We are now looking but the issue is this heat wave, and a couple (larger) companies have been relentless on selling us high priced complete heat and cooling systems.

Anyway, to me, now, a $200 service call for a cap is pretty good. drive time to the job, carrying the cap on the truck (inventory costs money), insurance. That **** adds up. The guy probably made $75 after it's all said and done.

Edit to add: IF anyone in the Chicago area got a decent small co, DM me. Thanks

 

[amgent57]

I've been thinking about this,
this a/c system is original to my house,
which my Parents had built in 1990.
I've had the refrigerant "topped off" (adjusted?) twice in the last 6 or so years.
Very lucky.
Both times they tried to sell me a new system.

Milwaukee has been hot lately, 100f yesterday.
Toasty again today.
The old girl has been keeping up.

 

[amgent57]

By the by,
I had this wifi thermostat installed last year.
I absolutely love the "circulation" feature on it,
it runs the fan every so often.
Really makes a difference on how the house feels.