I am very disappointed in how I was recently treated by this business. I have been doing business with them for about four years. When I recently called to schedule my annual cleaning the 2nd of June, I could hear the frustration in the owner's voice that I had not called sooner as he was overwhelmed with calls as our temp had soared to over 100 degrees. I mentioned that I knew I was a bit behind, but it was beyond my control, he continued to sound annoyed with me, even suggesting I call another business. My AC was still running but had had a difficult time cooling my house when it was 105 outside so I felt I needed to have it serviced fairly soon. I was quite taken aback by his attitude with me. I have been a loyal customer who has referred them to several of my friends. Since I kept pressing him for an appt, he finally said he would schedule me for Thursday. After I hung up I received a text with an appt. for Wednesday with Danielle.
It was my understanding that Danielle would clean the condenser, access the coolant level was appropriate and make sure there wasn't any issues with the unit. When he arrived, he hosed off the outside of the unit which I thought was a bit odd as when they had been out before they had done a very thorough cleaning by removing the sides. I asked if he was going to check the coolant level and he said he would. In the past they've checked this at the unit with a pressure check. He had me turn the unit on inside the house then he was using the breaker to turn it on and off. He told me the compressor was not running, only the fan which is why it wasn't keeping up with the increased outside temperature. He had what appeared to be a smallish metal object in his hand. He said he could use a hard start to start it. He did not explain what that was nor did he mention the cost of it. Although I knew it was an older unit, he did not tell me my compressor was in need of replacing and that it was on it' last leg. I figured it was something he sprayed on the motor to get it going. He asked if I wanted the hard start, I answered if that was the only way to get it going then yes. I then went back into the house. Shortly after he came into the house, asked me where my coolest vent was and proceeded to take the temperature with a probe after noting the temp of the house on the thermostat. He then told me that it was suppose to be a 20 degree difference and it was slightly higher. He said that was an indication that I needed coolant. I told him I thought he was checking that outside and he told me they no longer do it that way, instead they check it at the vents. I asked how much I needed and how much it would cost. he then started added my charges up to that point, outloud. He mentioned $169 and I had no idea what that was for. He said it was for the hard start. I was so shocked, I said "$169 to spray something in there!" He told me he didn't spray anything on it, that it was a part he installed, and I told him I had no idea what it was nor what the cost was as he didn't explain it to me. I then asked him if it only worked that one time and he expalined it works everytime the unit turns on. He also told me that it would extend the life of my condenser for 1-5 years. At that point i decided it was worth the cost. He them told me that I didn't need much coolant, I confirmed it was sold by the pound and he agreed to put in one pound saying that was all it needed and that it would make a large difference in the coolness of the air. He put that in then came back in the house and was going to check another vent to see if the air was cooler, I asked him to check the same vent he had initially. He did but did not tell me what the temp was. I asked if it was a significant increase and he said no, he then said it probably needed more which contradicted what he told me initally. I told him I didn't want him to put in any more at $219 a pound. He then told me that the condenser was making strange noises and that he thought it was on its way out. I was shocked and at this point I didn't want to spend any more that the $469 I now owed him on a unit that may be giving out. He should have told me that to begin with so I could decide what the best course of action for me was. He gave me his father's card and suggested I call him for replacement cost. I did and was told not only was my unit dying, but it could also quit working at any time even with the repairs that were done. In addition, I was told it would be less costly to replace it quickly than to wait because some units with the same coolant requirements were still available but probably wouldn't be for much longer. I don't know if Daniele just wasn't experienced or knowingly mislead me into spending $469 on a unit that now needs replacing ASAP but I do feel like I was taken advantage of. Very disappointed to see they no longer value customers. read more
