Dishonesty in Home A/C Companies

In My Humble Opinion
1

A friend of mine answered a telemarketer call from a local AC company, and agreed to have one of their techs come out and do their $70 annual inspection. When the guy got done with the inspection, he told my friend that the whole AC system was shot, and it needed to be replaced. The cost? $10K plus. My friend, feeling like he was getting scammed, told the tech that he’d save up for a couple of years and do the repair then. The tech replied, “Well, your AC isn’t going to make it through the summer.”

He asked what company I’ve used in the past, and I gave my recommendation. They’re a major, state-wide company and have always treated me fairly; I’ve never felt like they were trying to upsell me on anything. Their tech came out, found only minor things wrong with the system, gave a comprehensive work detail, and made the repairs. Total cost? $234.

My question is this: when (and why) did AC companies become so well known for taking advantage of people like this? I don’t think even auto mechanics have such a bad reputation. Those water-tester folks that come out for a home demonstration may be a very close second.

Now, I realize there ARE honest AC guys, and that some Dopers here either were, or are techs. What I’d also like to know is, are these techs instructed to do this by their higher-ups, or are they honest mistakes? And how are the techs paid? Do they get a percentage of the total bill, or all the labor, or what?

2

What did your friend expect, when he did business with a company that would use telemarketing to get customers? I think the best way to help stamp out such an undesired business practice like that is never to do business with anyone who uses telemarketing. If you should happen to receive such a call, make a point of getting the company’s name and then tell them that you never will do business with them.

3

It depends.

Some companies give their employees insentives. Some are on commission. Also some are one or two men companies so if no sales no work.

You should always get two bids for any major work. Any honest company will expect you to get two or three.

I got two bids to install a forced air heater in a house that I am buying. I went with the second bid. I am a little disapointed with the work. I showed the sloppy work to my real estate agent (they are family) and he was shocked. Where they cut in the registers was real sloppy. I plan on painting so I will be able to repair the slop. But if the work was in my home which does not need painting I would be calling them to come back and paint the cieling. Oh I will not use them the next time.

4

YMMV but I’ve always found that the best and most reliable contractors (heating a/c, asphalt-concrete, windows-siding) are the ones that you seek out, not the ones that seek you out.