We all know that NO ONE should ever try to rip off my dad at anything. It is just not worth it. So here is the story of the A/C in his own words!
I called to have my A/C fixed last night. Let me give you the events as they happened:
Called an A/C company that deals with the “military” and wants to give “us” premium service. I called for an appointment after 5 pm. The did make it by 5 pm.
The Tech #1 (young guy) checked the inside thoroughly. Used a light scope to let me know that my system was clean from the inside. Duhuh…. There is only air flowing threw it… right? Next, he checked the outside. He finds that the capacitor is shot. He tells me… (just like on TV… you see you have oil leaking from your motor (keep in mind the motor is below the fan… he points to the area right below the fan… hello, there is no oil .. just bearings without any weight except the resistance from blowing the hot air out) …. ONLY Tech #1 can see it. I said… umm, where? Right there.... see where it is below the fan, that is why it is a different color. The paint is the difference. He did not get to the point where he could sell me a NEW unit. Now I knew he was trying to slip me the meat.
Then, he carries a binder with the pricing…. From $230 to $1,200 monthly payment (I didn’t ask how much each month) plans paid each month to slip you the meat as time goes on. If they have to fix something I would receive a 10% on all repairs, 20% on all parts, 2 checkups per year (like the dentist), plus a complete “VISUAL” inspection… (now that could be the turning point for me). If I signed up right now (like the last customer) I would get 15% off… WOW!! 15% off right now… what am I waiting for??
So, a typical example: Part: $1,000, 20% off of parts will equal $800, Repair/installation $200 which will equal $180, plus my visual (for free I guess), and my check up on their work (for free I guess). We did not even get to extra FREON, Misc wiring needed, after hours costs, etc… I could buy a new unit, have it installed, take a vacation to Las Vegas and have money to spend.
Back to the deal of the Summer: The capacitor would cost $327, the Starter $327 plus the installation, plus the service call. The parts could cost up to $600 with other service companies (he said).
Next time I need to call and ask: What is the most expensive charge you can make me pay? I want to pay top-dollar for ANY service. Now that is a deal the normal consumer will not be able to pass up. Keep in mind that it is 100 degrees at 5 pm here in San Antonio. So you have to make a decision: Do I want to stay hot or fix the A/C? Pay the outrageous amount and be cool until you Wake up in the middle of the nightmare then get HOT again when your left side of the brain added up all the crap.
I told the Tech that I thought this is was too expensive… he said let me call my BOSS to see what we can do… (he meant to say, instead of slipping me the meat straight through, lets see if it fits “sideways”. I told him I would have to wait until my Retirement check comes in the end of the month (I had to tell a lie). And also, I had plans to be out of town anyway most of next week and I could endure until then.
When he went to call his boss I called the first guy that called me back and he said: if it does not work out, let me know, I live close by and will give you a good deal. He works for an A/C company all day but does residential on the side. He has the same parts and gets any other from the distributor. I asked him, “How much do you charge for a capacitor and a starter? He said $35 and $45 plus a $45 service call. I asked “ Are you selling used parts?” No, these are from the distributor. He asked me for the model and ser # of my unit. I gave it to him. I asked him to come by and install it this evening.
Back to the Tech #1…. I told him I would have to wait. He said, “My boss says that we can sell you the capacitor for $150 because you are a Veteran and we want to take care of you (he failed to add: You will take very good care of me and my boss) veterans that have given so much for our country. He said “ I can do this if you can go to the ATM and pay my cash…. And we would not charge you a service call fee. That was what I was waiting for… oh I wish I had a camera…!!!
Later about 8 pm Tech #2 came, took about 5 minutes to install, tested the unit, everything is fine….. I asked why they guys charge so much… he said they are trying to take advantage of the hot weather. So, for $120 I got my unit up and running and slept fine…. Again. I wish I could have had a dream whereby I would the HULK and be choking the Tech #1 and his boss … one on each hand. Or be a pigmy in South America and have both of these idiots on the rotisserie with lots of butter, fresh bread and some toothpicks …. Now that would make me smile….
So you see, life is very exciting if you take some time to figure things out….
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