another 'ripped off' ac thread

[ctfjr]

The recent post about getting ripped off over am ac capacitor prompted me to post this. By way of background I've been in the HVAC distribution business for almost 50 years. I've seen every kind of contractor you can imagine and then some.

My older sister lives in Florida. She has a 'reputable' ac contractor service her split system every year. This year was no different. Two weeks after they checked out and did the PM service her ac died. Long story short the contractor returned, told her the '30 amp disconnect' outside was bad (we don't even sell a 30 amp unit, only a 60). He had her sign a contract to replace it for the tune of $320.00. He then replaced it in about 10 minutes. Total time on the job less than 1 hour.

For those that don't know, a 60 amp disconnect goes to the trade for <$20. I understand all about profit and staying in business but this is all about gouging and taking advantage of an elderly person who has no clue.

Some buyers just don't know and rely on the the contractor's integrity. Easy pickings.

 

[dclassical]

There are some amazing contractors out there but it is hard finding them sometimes.

My first A/C experience was with a system with a leak in it. I asked my brother in law who they used and called them. $225 for the diagnostic of a leaking condenser coil. System is still under warranty (parts are free, labor is not) from Carrier. I became suspicious when the guy said "Well it has also leaked oil you know, so you are looking at more damages in the future, I would highly recommend that you replace the whole system with a new one, it will be more modern as well and we have special financing if you want to call our office". No thank you.

Asked a friend who sent me his contractor. Diagnosed the problem for $75, charged me $300 to order and come back to replace the condenser coil (he said he could not fix it due to the location of the leak).

I was going to do the work myself, and even took (and passed) the test to be able to buy the R22, R410a, ... but with his prices I will be glad to pay him.

He came to the house once when I had no time to fix the problem, but managed to fix it that morning and decided to let him come. When he arrived I told him what I did to fix it. He took a look and said great, that's all it needed. I offered three times to pay him but he refused.

It is amazing when you find the right contractors.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

For every dead beat contractor out there,Theres still a pile of bead beat customers to go with them.

 

[sharpe427]

For every dead beat contractor out there,Theres still a pile of bead beat customers to go with them.

Truth!

 

[danski0224]

For every dead beat contractor out there,Theres still a pile of bead beat customers to go with them.

A few of those customers seem to be here

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

If somebody says you overcharged them or you didnt fix something right youre the biggest ************* on the internet.
But if contractors were to get on here and talk about all the dead beat customers out there that dont pay their bills or all the time money they have to waste on collection agencies to try and get even a little of the money owed thats just part of doing business right?

 

[Lassen Forge]

Sorry, I can't resist...

 

[Dirtydan69]

I would have to agree. For every dishonest gouging contractor there are at least 10 deadbeat customers.

 

[sms1974]

It's never the guy who straps on his boots with dirty hands that complains about the bill. But its almost a guarantee that the guy in the $500k house with a car that cost more than my house in the garage will complain every time...

Many years ago (1992'ish) as a young tech on call on christmas eve I had to run a no heat service call at 11pm. Someone had bumped the power switch on the furnace and turned it off... Holiday, after hours service call was $100 bucks, guy refuses to pay the bill...we ended up in small claims court. The judge asked him what he thought a fair price was for me to get out of my bed drive to his house flip the switch then go back home.

His respone was $25 bucks...

The judge rewrote the bill,

$25 dollars to turn on power switch
$75 dollars to know to check if the switch was turned on

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

It's never the guy who straps on his boots with dirty hands that complains about the bill. But its almost a guarantee that the guy in the $500k house with a car that cost more than my house in the garage will complain every time...

Many years ago (1992'ish) as a young tech on call on christmas eve I had to run a no heat service call at 11pm. Someone had bumped the power switch on the furnace and turned it off... Holiday, after hours service call was $100 bucks, guy refuses to pay the bill...we ended up in small claims court. The judge asked him what he thought a fair price was for me to get out of my bed drive to his house flip the switch then go back home.

His respone was $25 bucks...

The judge rewrote the bill,

$25 dollars to turn on power switch
$75 dollars to know to check if the switch was turned on

My kind of judge!

 

[mattblast]

It's never the guy who straps on his boots with dirty hands that complains about the bill. But its almost a guarantee that the guy in the $500k house with a car that cost more than my house in the garage will complain every time...

That hasn't been my experience. I got complaints about service charges from all types of folks. (For the past several years I ran the service dept of a large format printer repair facility).

 

[ozyborn]

It's never the guy who straps on his boots with dirty hands that complains about the bill. But its almost a guarantee that the guy in the $500k house with a car that cost more than my house in the garage will complain every time...

snip

As an installer for Home Theater equipment I concur. I dread the upscale home. They either go all out or so cheap I am surprised it ever works. Then they complain about everything.

 

[Steves32]

The tale is always the same.
Call for repairs, get your a/c going, customer happy they don’t have to go all weekend w/ no a/c, question nothing about price & I’d bet they gave price BEFORE the work was started, write the check, thank them for your now cool house, come on here & ***** you got hosed.

Two simple answers.
1. Pay diagnostic fee from contractor, order the part on internet (won’t have it today) & fix it yourself.
2. Don’t call anyone. Take day off work & fix it yourself.

This is why most shops are flat rate today. 1 price for the repair & no part numbers on your bill.

 

[fastbike02]

I've always looked at calling a repairman like going to the doctor, I'm not paying for the part or the work but the knowledge they have to fix it. Last time my unit went out it cost me 250ish bucks for a capacitor. It was last summer my house was 100+ and I would have paid the man 500 bucks if that's what it took to get my air going on the saturday he came out.

 

[600SL]

My kind of judge!

A rare bread indeed.

 

[J king]

After the last capacitor post I am sure if some will say " it works now right?" Pay the bill. Lol

 

[mattblast]

As an installer for Home Theater equipment I concur. I dread the upscale home. They either go all out or so cheap I am surprised it ever works. Then they complain about everything.

I suspect it works both ways - when a contractor walks into a million dollar house he automatically increases his rate. I don't blame him - most customers will just accept the charge and pay it.

In my town there is a lot of pharma and costs in this town are generally higher so I've been in the habit of calling for service to a few town over. A perfect example is that the local vets (there are 2 or 3 in town) charge 25% more than they charge a few towns over for the same service. Actually my dog likes the lower cost vet as they are not as crowded and really care for the dog.

Another example is that the local dunkin donuts charges over a $1 for a donut where the one in a less affluent neighborhood charges $0.90.

 

[pattenp]

Isn't there a bill before congress to be voted on called "The Affordable HVAC Repair Act"?

 

[slow]

Please do not do that. Then the cost of an ac repair will be a grand or more.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Isn't there a bill before congress to be voted on called "The Affordable HVAC Repair Act"?

Id say that concept went out the window long ago with anything the goverment gets involved in.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Im looking at the plans for a 12000 plus sq ft house that a guy wants a wiring and plumbing bid on.
I spent to hrs the other night walking around inside of it in circles thinking to myself: Now I know what roy shreider felt like on jaws when he said I think we're gonna need a bigger boat!
Anyway the guy kept saying he was on a budget.
The place is going to require more outlets and lights in the basement alone than most strip malls,let alone the 3 freaking floors above ground!