A/C repair scam

[Dbinac]

Our A/C went out and we called a large well known local company (the original installer) for repair. After less than five minutes the technician quoted us a price of over $1000.00 but if we signed up for a yearly service agreement he could cut it to about $950. We paid the service call of $89 and sent him on his way. Based on the recommendation of a fellow Villager we called Chuck Ferrell A/C. Totally different diagnoses and problem fixed within 30 minutes for less than $200. Excellent young technician.

[Wiotte]

Our A/C went out and we called a large well known local company (the original installer) for repair. After less than five minutes the technician quoted us a price of over $1000.00 but if we signed up for a yearly service agreement he could cut it to about $950. We paid the service call of $89 and sent him on his way. Based on the recommendation of a fellow Villager we called Chuck Ferrell A/C. Totally different diagnoses and problem fixed within 30 minutes for less than $200. Excellent young technician.



Why not inform us who the well known local company is ???


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[villagetinker]

Yes, please provide the company name, at least send a PM to those interested.

[SFSkol]

Why use an inflammatory thread title "scam?" You received two different diagnoses. Why not just say, always get a second opinion?

[New Englander]

It sure seems like a scam if one tech wanted $1000, but a different tech from another co. fixed the problem for $200.

[Chellybean]

remember the fact: 200.00 could of been a bandage and 1000.00 could of been a repair that would of ensured the future longevity of the unit.
Just because there was a lesser charge doesn't mean it was the correct fix! Just my Opinion

[GJohn]

Agreed, if you're going to post who the company was that made the repair, you should post the company with the outrageous repair quote.

[Fredster]

Why use an inflammatory thread title "scam?" You received two different diagnoses. Why not just say, always get a second opinion?

It seems the OP did get a second opinion and
saved himself over $700 by doing so!

[TunaFish]

You did the right thing. I find posting on this site is very discouraging. Most people don't know what they are talking about.

[billlaur]

please let us know of this well known company.:pepper2:

[Pearson14505]

If your going to start something, finish it, which company?

[Wiotte]

:popcorn:

[Dbinac]

Several good and valid comments. Just wanted to remind everyone about the value of a second opinion.

[Toymeister]

I only know one installer in TV: Munn's. Not sure if that is who the op is referring to but it makes sense, as they activity push the service contract.

[ricthemic]

Our A/C went out and we called a large well known local company (the original installer) for repair. After less than five minutes the technician quoted us a price of over $1000.00 but if we signed up for a yearly service agreement he could cut it to about $950. We paid the service call of $89 and sent him on his way. Based on the recommendation of a fellow Villager we called Chuck Ferrell A/C. Totally different diagnoses and problem fixed within 30 minutes for less than $200. Excellent young technician.

I was in HVAC industry for 40 years. Your post was perfect. It was nice of you to enlighten fellow villages and there is ABSOLUTELY no need to respond to those insisting you inform the public of the company a service tech works for who made this offer. The tech is instructed and most likely rewarded for contracting long term service agreements. One goal here... You called for AC repair and the tech primary goal shd only be to repair it... Not sell a service agreement.. Let the HVAC owners salesperson contact you.
The most common AC condenser unit problem(within 6 years old) is the capacitor. Labor and material cost, $200.00
Once again thank u for this post to help others. I only responded after reading all the post insisting u tell them who the service tech worked for while he was only doing what his owner told him to

[rubicon]

I only know one installer in TV: Munn's. Not sure if that is who the op is referring to but it makes sense, as they activity push the service contract.

In our area of construction Munn was not the original HVAC installer. Honestly I am not sure that Munn was ever an original installer?

I know there are some large HVAC companies here who will place you at the end of their list if you do not have a contract with them.

This is the first community in all the areas that I lived where they pushed for contracts. Frankly in all the years previous I only had the need of an HVAC repair once.

Some HVAC companies push for ultra violet lights to control mold/mildew, contracts, etc. is this also a scam???????

I wish the OP had included the name of the HVAC company that he believed was too expensive.

[biker1]

Munns was the original installer for our home. At that time, I believe there was a second original installer for the new construction. Munns has never pushed, or even mentioned, a service contract. The system comes with a 10 year parts/5 year labor warranty and they do require an annual checkup to maintain the warranty (actually a Carrier requirement, I believe).

The service techs appear to be competent during the annual visits and they do check what I would expect (high and low pressures, super heat, sub cool, amperages, leaving and return temps, etc., and they flush the condensate drain). Two warranty issues were handled quickly and without any drama. Based on my experiences, this is a good company to work with.

In our area of construction Munn was not the original HVAC installer. Honestly I am not sure that Munn was ever an original installer?

I know there are some large HVAC companies here who will place you at the end of their list if you do not have a contract with them.

This is the first community in all the areas that I lived where they pushed for contracts. Frankly in all the years previous I only had the need of an HVAC repair once.

Some HVAC companies push for ultra violet lights to control mold/mildew, contracts, etc. is this also a scam???????

I wish the OP had included the name of the HVAC company that he believed was too expensive.

[DangeloInspections]

I'll just comment on a couple of things here....

1) The original poster has not shared the name of the first company he had come to their home. We should not assume it was any one company.

2) The Villages currently uses three A/C companies. Munn's, SunKool, and Sunshine.

May everyone have a blessed holiday....

Frank

[Chatbrat]

Not all parts are covered by the 10 year warranty--there is a control board that normally croaks in approx 6 years-two of my neighbors hand to parclose to $500.00 to replace them

[pklein9747]

Not all parts are covered by the 10 year warranty--there is a control board that normally croaks in approx 6 years-two of my neighbors hand to parclose to $500.00 to replace them

Sun Kool informed us that our evaporator coil, which has a leak, was also not covered under our 10-year extended year warranty. Makes we wonder if something else had broken, if that would have been covered??? We've moved on to Chuck Farrell A/C and are very happy with them.

[John_W]

...The most common AC condenser unit problem(within 6 years old) is the capacitor. Labor and material cost, $200.00
Once again thank u for this post to help others. I only responded after reading all the post insisting u tell them who the service tech worked for while he was only doing what his owner told him to

The OP already indicated Chuck Farrell was the right person for the job. Here's another example, we have a unit installed by Munn's in 2011 in a new home. On June 17, 2015 our unit quit cooling. I called Chuck because of the recommendations on this website. Chuck answered his phone, and I told him my a/c quit cooling. He pulled over to the side of the road and wrote down my info and said I'll have someone there this afternoon. I had never used Chuck before, he had one of his techs "Mike" at our home within two hours.

I'm looking at the Invoice, I kept it so I wouldn't forget who to call. Mike wrote, "Replaced Blown Capacitor, Part Covered by Warranty for 10 years", Total cost $80 for labor. He didn't just run in and back out. He checked the freon on the outside unit and removed the cover off the inside unit and brushed off the coils and checked the filter. Chuck had earned my business from then on.

[jblum315]

Chuck Farrell is Da Man when it comes to AC, for sure

[biker1]

It may have been covered under the Munns parts and labor warranty, for no cost. You will have needed to check your paperwork you received when you settled on the house.

The OP already indicated Chuck Farrell was the right person for the job. Here's another example, we have a unit installed by Munn's in 2011 in a new home. On June 17, 2015 our unit quit cooling. I called Chuck because of the recommendations on this website. Chuck answered his phone, and I told him my a/c quit cooling. He pulled over to the side of the road and wrote down my info and said I'll have someone there this afternoon. I had never used Chuck before, he had one of his techs "Mike" at our home within two hours.

I'm looking at the Invoice, I kept it so I wouldn't forget who to call. Mike wrote, "Replaced Blown Capacitor, Part Covered by Warranty for 10 years", Total cost $80 for labor. He didn't just run in and back out. He checked the freon on the outside unit and removed the cover off the inside unit and brushed off the coils and checked the filter. Chuck had earned my business from then on.

[biker1]

I have had the Carrier warranty in a past home and all parts, and labor, were covered, including refrigerant. This included the evaporator coil, all system boards, the UI, compressor, etc. You need to read your warranty.

Not all parts are covered by the 10 year warranty--there is a control board that normally croaks in approx 6 years-two of my neighbors hand to parclose to $500.00 to replace them

[biker1]

You need to read your warranty and contact Carrier.

Sun Kool informed us that our evaporator coil, which has a leak, was also not covered under our 10-year extended year warranty. Makes we wonder if something else had broken, if that would have been covered??? We've moved on to Chuck Farrell A/C and are very happy with them.

[rubicon]

The OP already indicated Chuck Farrell was the right person for the job. Here's another example, we have a unit installed by Munn's in 2011 in a new home. On June 17, 2015 our unit quit cooling. I called Chuck because of the recommendations on this website. Chuck answered his phone, and I told him my a/c quit cooling. He pulled over to the side of the road and wrote down my info and said I'll have someone there this afternoon. I had never used Chuck before, he had one of his techs "Mike" at our home within two hours.

I'm looking at the Invoice, I kept it so I wouldn't forget who to call. Mike wrote, "Replaced Blown Capacitor, Part Covered by Warranty for 10 years", Total cost $80 for labor. He didn't just run in and back out. He checked the freon on the outside unit and removed the cover off the inside unit and brushed off the coils and checked the filter. Chuck had earned my business from then on.

let me get this straight you purchased the Carrier unit from Munn . You called Farrell for a repair and Farrell honored the warranty on the part.

[justjim]

I'll just comment on a couple of things here....

1) The original poster has not shared the name of the first company he had come to their home. We should not assume it was any one company.

2) The Villages currently uses three A/C companies. Munn's, SunKool, and Sunshine.

May everyone have a blessed holiday....

Frank
:BigApplause: Thanks for the information. Sunshine was my sub-contractor for my A/C in my 2 years old TV home. Munn's was in my previous home here in TV. So OP's A/C was installed by one of these three companies. :ho:

[Nick2065]

Another local guy to call is
DP Mechanical, he's been in business for 33 years and built his company off of referrals 352-603-9321. You can also call to ask him questions on pricing, to make sure your not being over charged. Just want to let you all know Large hvac companies technicians mostly work on piece work.

[BobnBev]

The OP already indicated Chuck Farrell was the right person for the job. Here's another example, we have a unit installed by Munn's in 2011 in a new home. On June 17, 2015 our unit quit cooling. I called Chuck because of the recommendations on this website. Chuck answered his phone, and I told him my a/c quit cooling. He pulled over to the side of the road and wrote down my info and said I'll have someone there this afternoon. I had never used Chuck before, he had one of his techs "Mike" at our home within two hours.

I'm looking at the Invoice, I kept it so I wouldn't forget who to call. Mike wrote, "Replaced Blown Capacitor, Part Covered by Warranty for 10 years", Total cost $80 for labor. He didn't just run in and back out. He checked the freon on the outside unit and removed the cover off the inside unit and brushed off the coils and checked the filter. Chuck had earned my business from then on.

If you had BROWARD FACTORY SERVICE, there would be "NO" charge. They have replaced my capacitor twice, and the outside fan in the unit once.
Sunshine a/c wanted $340 to replace the fan, BFS had one on the truck, did the job, no charge.:eclipsee_gold_cup:

[John_W]

let me get this straight you purchased the Carrier unit from Munn . You called Farrell for a repair and Farrell honored the warranty on the part.

If you had BROWARD FACTORY SERVICE, there would be "NO" charge. They have replaced my capacitor twice, and the outside fan in the unit once.
Sunshine a/c wanted $340 to replace the fan, BFS had one on the truck, did the job, no charge.

I didn't purchase the unit from Munn's, I purchased the home from TV new in 2011 and the A/C unit in the garage had the Munn's sticker. I called Chuck in 2015 for repair and without telling him anything about the home, they wrote on the invoice the part was covered by the warranty and only charged me for $80 labor and service call.

[Chatbrat]

I looked @ BFS, and determined it would take a really big expense-to justify their annual premium-they charge extra for a refrain with an ice maker-in 6 years we would have paid close to $3k in premiums--zero repairs so far--thy're not in business to lose $$

[jsw14]

Yes, please provide the company name, at least send a PM to those interested.

I want to know who it was too!!! Please.........

[Allegiance]

I want to know who it was too!!! Please.........
Please PM the company.

[BobnBev]

I looked @ BFS, and determined it would take a really big expense-to justify their annual premium-they charge extra for a refrain with an ice maker-in 6 years we would have paid close to $3k in premiums--zero repairs so far--thy're not in business to lose $$

No business is in the business to lose money, or they wouldn't be in business very long. BFS charges $219 a year, At 10 years, that would only be $2,190. Not too shabby, IMHO.:thumbup:

[Chatbrat]

look at their extra charges for appliances-the costs really escalate their premium plan is $700/yr

[Bog99]

... job sheet attached.

[Chatbrat]

Reset thermal overload, just preset the button- if its not a clixon

[Toymeister]

300.00 is a common price to change a cap. An American made cap cost about 30.00 retail. It is a good idea to replace these yourself every other year. There are many videos on how to DIY on youtube, extremely easy.

[Chellybean]

Reset thermal overload, just preset the button- if its not a clixon
Kilxon is the proper spelling and it sits on the winding's of a sealed Hermetic compressor winding's and can not be serviced.
If you read the tech. description he cools the compressor with water.
In my opinion the whole bill is a rip off.
Charging a flat fee would of been more acceptable!

[refeik]

Why not inform us who the well known local company is ???


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I have been recommending Ferrel for years !!! The best and most honest in central florida !!!

[refeik]

Why use an inflammatory thread title "scam?" You received two different diagnoses. Why not just say, always get a second opinion?

you're kidding right ????

[karostay]

Our A/C went out and we called a large well known local company (the original installer) for repair. After less than five minutes the technician quoted us a price of over $1000.00 but if we signed up for a yearly service agreement he could cut it to about $950. We paid the service call of $89 and sent him on his way. Based on the recommendation of a fellow Villager we called Chuck Ferrell A/C. Totally different diagnoses and problem fixed within 30 minutes for less than $200. Excellent young technician.

Yes we are overcharge, Big Time
I don't mind paying for fair honest repairs
But they got you when it breaks it's hot humid and you want it up and running asap.
My opinion and I'm a preventive maintenance type of guy.
Fix it before it breaks
Ac condenser replacement $350 plus, for a $25 -$50 dollar part
Why not just change it every 4 years on a normal annual cleaning
Like a 10 min installation at most.
Here's why

AC Fan/Compressor Not Working - How To Test /Repair Broken HVAC Run Start Capacitor Air Condition HD - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19A9lvQ6lIA)

[Living a Fantasy]

Our AC is a Coleman (over 20 years old) and we have been waiting for it to go. Today we thought would be the day. Rich from Chuck Ferrell's AC came within 1 1/2 hours of our call; diagnosed it; replaced the starter; and was gone in less than an hour. $133.00.