Having owned this 1450 sq. ft condominium in Cherokee for 25 years I've experienced the pluses and negatives associated with living within a large condominium association. We had a new A/C unit put in outside in 2006. The actual vacuum a/c motor thats mounted above the laundry closet has remained in great condition because it's been properly maintained year in and year out. One specific, very important aspect of the yearly maintenance or "tune-up" that needs to take place with our condo unit A/C is that the vacuum motor needs to be oiled every year, regardless of usage. I'm 92 years of age but I'm no dummy. I still remember everything. The actual GOODMAN A/C unit (outside) we bought in 2006 was not purchased or installed by Unique. It didn't really matter because we continued the yearly maintenance of the original vacuum motor by oiling the two specific areas that are required to be oiled every year.
My husband was in charge of this. Eventually my eldest son took on this task each year. It's not that it's difficult it simply takes about 15 minutes. One simply requires the ability to skillfully maneuver ones hands about to oil the necessary areas of this amazing piece of equipment that was originally installed by Warren Heating and A/C 41 years ago when this place was built. If one is trained and skilled the most this task should take will be 15 minutes.
Today, Kurt was due to arrive at 9am. He didn't arrive until 9:30. No phone call reporting that he was running late and upon entering my condo no apology was offered by Kurt. I figured it is what it is, a lack of common sense and respect. I decided to watch to exactly what Kurt was doing this time around. You see, this was the first time in 5 years that I've reserved a time with Unique to have a 'highly trained, professional A/C technician' come in to do a "tune-up". A "tune-up" that costs $79.00. My husband who's now deceased and my eldest son were responsible for oiling the appropriate parts that require the oil each year. I do recall that in 2017 Kurt did remove the vacuum motor face plate and the four metal screws that held it in place.
Though I never witnessed Kurt oiling what needs to be oiled every single year or you'll risk damage to the equipment. I simply recall the metal face plate was laying across the top of the washing machine. It obviously left the impression that since he took the time to take the metal cover off I assumed that he likely took the time to oil the parts that require oiling every year.
Today was different. All that Kurt did was open the laundry folding doors and removed the very easy to access and remove metal filter under A/C vacuum motor and walked outside with it. I saw that Kurt hooked up his own hose to the building faucet and spent a minute maybe two minutes spraying off the metal screen/Filter. I stood and watched Kurt spray down the outside (GOODMAN) A/C unit and then he maneuvered with his gauging equipment of which I will assume he was actually taking time to check the Freon/A/C coolant. He was back in the condo within 10 minutes time and had slid the metal vacuum filter back in place. Since I knew he hadn't removed the A/C vacuum metal face plate in the laundry I knew that he hadn't oiled the equipment that requires oiling every year. I asked Kurt if he was planning on oiling it and he said that he never does that and that he doesn't carry oil with him. I explained to this highly trained professional A/C expert how important it is to have that oiled and he simply said that he'd have to get some oil and come back later. I was completely dumbfounded! The two most important aspects to tuning up these A/C in Cherokee is that the vacuum motor is oiled and that the Freon/coolant is checked. Though I didn't pay Kurt for this "Tune Up" I'll be shocked if he actually follows through with getting the oil and finishing the job the way it should have been done! Quite honestly I was both upset and embarrassed for Kurt. To charge $79.00 under the pretense that you're going to do the job the right way only to watch and see that the job was only half done when he finished was and is shameful. Theres two trains of thought here: 1. Either Kurt and Unique are grossly incompetent and lack the integrity and common sense to start and finish a fairly simple job the right way. Completely. Or 2. Kurt is/was well aware that spending 15 minutes to oil what he obviously knows needs oiling would push him back 15 minutes on all his other appointment. Either way, I'm 92 and I'm no dummy. I feel genuine sorrow for anyone who utilizes Unique and any of the services that they offer. Why not just spend the extra 15 minutes and do the job the right way? Why try to take advantage of an elderly handicapped person unless you're that ever growing breed of corner cutting capitalist. How someone who advertises being a vet (Veteran owned) only to witness that theres a total lack of respect and integrity? That's dirty, greedy and dumb. read more