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A/C servicing - fair charge? tenplay 08-01-2006
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Posted by tenplay on August 1, 2006, 5:35 pm
Recently we had near 100 degree heat wave in Western Washington. The
upstairs was not cooling down very much. So we called Sunset Air to
check our central A/c unit. The technician said that the unit was
working properly, freon level was fine, the evaporation coils were
clean, and the filters were working ok. He did recommend that we
purchase a new unit down the road because our unit is getting older. He
charged us a total of $171.81, which included $133.50 for one hour
technical service, $25 truck charge, and $13.31 sales tax. An invoice
from 2003 shows that they charged us $107.50 for 1.25 hours technical
service and no truck charge for checking out our central heat/ac and
replacing the ignition module (extra parts charge). Is it standard for
the technical service charge to have gone up about 40% plus tacking on a
$25 gas charge nowadays? Their company is about 6 miles from our home.

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Posted by Pops on August 1, 2006, 5:54 pm
The cost of doing business has really gone up in the last few years
with insurance skyrocketing and fuel cost. However if they are a
resonable company that wants your business in the future ie..putting in
that reccomended unit, they might be willing to come off that invoice.

Just explain to them what you think is unreasonable and mayby dangle
that carrot in front of them, but dont lose your temper or nothing will
get accomplished.

Otherwise I would suggest calling around for prices before setting that
appointment.

Pops..


tenplay wrote:
> Recently we had near 100 degree heat wave in Western Washington. The
> upstairs was not cooling down very much. So we called Sunset Air to
> check our central A/c unit. The technician said that the unit was
> working properly, freon level was fine, the evaporation coils were
> clean, and the filters were working ok. He did recommend that we
> purchase a new unit down the road because our unit is getting older. He
> charged us a total of $171.81, which included $133.50 for one hour
> technical service, $25 truck charge, and $13.31 sales tax. An invoice
> from 2003 shows that they charged us $107.50 for 1.25 hours technical
> service and no truck charge for checking out our central heat/ac and
> replacing the ignition module (extra parts charge). Is it standard for
> the technical service charge to have gone up about 40% plus tacking on a
> $25 gas charge nowadays? Their company is about 6 miles from our home.


Posted by lee houston on August 1, 2006, 5:59 pm

> Recently we had near 100 degree heat wave in Western Washington. The
> upstairs was not cooling down very much. So we called Sunset Air to check
> our central A/c unit. The technician said that the unit was working
> properly, freon level was fine, the evaporation coils were clean, and the
> filters were working ok. He did recommend that we purchase a new unit
> down the road because our unit is getting older. He charged us a total of
> $171.81, which included $133.50 for one hour technical service, $25 truck
> charge, and $13.31 sales tax. An invoice from 2003 shows that they
> charged us $107.50 for 1.25 hours technical service and no truck charge
> for checking out our central heat/ac and replacing the ignition module
> (extra parts charge). Is it standard for the technical service charge to
> have gone up about 40% plus tacking on a $25 gas charge nowadays? Their
> company is about 6 miles from our home.

The key word here is 'heat wave'. many service firms love it and will
price gouge if at all possible. Yes, that's too much of an increase.
I'd call the management, point out that you're a repeat customer,
and request a price adjustment. Maybe request a quote on an
annual preventive maintenance call? Booked during their 'slow'
season.

lee h



Posted by tenplay on August 1, 2006, 6:31 pm
tenplay wrote:
> Recently we had near 100 degree heat wave in Western Washington. The
> upstairs was not cooling down very much. So we called Sunset Air to
> check our central A/c unit. The technician said that the unit was
> working properly, freon level was fine, the evaporation coils were
> clean, and the filters were working ok. He did recommend that we
> purchase a new unit down the road because our unit is getting older. He
> charged us a total of $171.81, which included $133.50 for one hour
> technical service, $25 truck charge, and $13.31 sales tax. An invoice
> from 2003 shows that they charged us $107.50 for 1.25 hours technical
> service and no truck charge for checking out our central heat/ac and
> replacing the ignition module (extra parts charge). Is it standard for
> the technical service charge to have gone up about 40% plus tacking on a
> $25 gas charge nowadays? Their company is about 6 miles from our home.

Thanks for your suggestions. This is the email I sent them. Hope it
makes a difference:

We have been loyal customers of yours for many years. My wife and I
think you overcharged us on our service call on 7/28/06. We asked you
to check our central a/c unit. Your technician reported that the unit
is getting older but is working fine. The freon level was fine and the
filters and coils were clean. The bill came to a whopping $171.81.
Like ourselves, our neighbors and friends were shocked. Your labor
charge has increased 55.2% since 2003 plus you add a $25 gas charge just
for driving over from Lacey. We hope that you will reconsider the
charges and refund part of charges to us. If you choose not to honor
our request, we will voice our displeasure loudly to whomever will
listen. And we will cease to be your loyal customers. Thank you for
your kind consideration.

Posted by No you dont on August 1, 2006, 7:31 pm
Why didn't you ask ahead of time what their costs were. And as far as
that truck charge goes... That truck may have been 55 miles away before
your call. At this time of year these techs are not sitting around
waiting for your call.

I don't think you deserve money back, but the owner/manager may take a
loss on you because it will cost more to gain another customer than to
give you $40, not to mention all the bad publicity that you will
enthrall upon them...All because you didn't do your due diigence.




tenplay wrote:
> tenplay wrote:
>
>> Recently we had near 100 degree heat wave in Western Washington. The
>> upstairs was not cooling down very much. So we called Sunset Air to
>> check our central A/c unit. The technician said that the unit was
>> working properly, freon level was fine, the evaporation coils were
>> clean, and the filters were working ok. He did recommend that we
>> purchase a new unit down the road because our unit is getting older.
>> He charged us a total of $171.81, which included $133.50 for one hour
>> technical service, $25 truck charge, and $13.31 sales tax. An invoice
>> from 2003 shows that they charged us $107.50 for 1.25 hours technical
>> service and no truck charge for checking out our central heat/ac and
>> replacing the ignition module (extra parts charge). Is it standard
>> for the technical service charge to have gone up about 40% plus
>> tacking on a $25 gas charge nowadays? Their company is about 6 miles
>> from our home.
>
>
> Thanks for your suggestions. This is the email I sent them. Hope it
> makes a difference:
>
> We have been loyal customers of yours for many years. My wife and I
> think you overcharged us on our service call on 7/28/06. We asked you
> to check our central a/c unit. Your technician reported that the unit
> is getting older but is working fine. The freon level was fine and the
> filters and coils were clean. The bill came to a whopping $171.81. Like
> ourselves, our neighbors and friends were shocked. Your labor charge
> has increased 55.2% since 2003 plus you add a $25 gas charge just for
> driving over from Lacey. We hope that you will reconsider the charges
> and refund part of charges to us. If you choose not to honor our
> request, we will voice our displeasure loudly to whomever will listen.
> And we will cease to be your loyal customers. Thank you for your kind
> consideration.

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