[nana13]

As you all know, we have had a very hot summer. Yup on Mon. my A/C quit, Unfortunate is was past 5 P.M. so I started calling verious companies after hrs. emergency numbers, First was Munn's couldn't come until 5 P.M the next day, called several more, did not do emergency calls any more, finally called SunKool, in Ocala, came around 9:30 p,m, had to pay $85.00 for night call. The tech. said I don't repair, I just do diagnostics. OK, he said the condenser fan was shot along with the capacitor, would have to call parts to order. Rep called in morning and said could not get part until the next day. (Fan). Long story short, waited until Thurs. still no part. Now my house is at 90 degrees. I slept on the Lanai, for three nights. Got the same run around everytime I would call , Finally said enough is enough and called Suter A/C out of leesburg came immediately, put a new capacitor on and miracle the fan was working.I paid thankd him (saved at least $6 to $ 700 hundred dollars. He said they carry fans on their trucks, but mine was fine. Great tech. very polite and understanding, Yes, I am a widow, and know nothing about A/C's Lessened learned, get two or more diagnostic tests, I highly recommend Suter A/C.

[MrFlorida]

Thanks for the heads up, I put Suter A/C on my call list for repairs.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by nana13

As you all know, we have had a very hot summer. Yup on Mon. my A/C quit, Unfortunate is was past 5 P.M. so I started calling verious companies after hrs. emergency numbers, First was Munn's couldn't come until 5 P.M the next day, called several more, did not do emergency calls any more, finally called SunKool, in Ocala, came around 9:30 p,m, had to pay $85.00 for night call. The tech. said I don't repair, I just do diagnostics. OK, he said the condenser fan was shot along with the capacitor, would have to call parts to order. Rep called in morning and said could not get part until the next day. (Fan). Long story short, waited until Thurs. still no part. Now my house is at 90 degrees. I slept on the Lanai, for three nights. Got the same run around everytime I would call , Finally said enough is enough and called Suter A/C out of leesburg came immediately, put a new capacitor on and miracle the fan was working.I paid thankd him (saved at least $6 to $ 700 hundred dollars. He said they carry fans on their trucks, but mine was fine. Great tech. very polite and understanding, Yes, I am a widow, and know nothing about A/C's Lessened learned, get two or more diagnostic tests, I highly recommend Suter A/C.

Were it me, assuming you have paperwork and proof of payment, I would call Sunkool and find someone in a management position. For them to charge you an emergency fee and then send someone who only does diagnosis is, in my view THEFT. As far as a capacitor failing it is a common issue. The part costs like $20 there are only a few different ones and anyone doing air conditioning repair should have them with him or her.

If, you paid by credit card, assuming you do not get a reasonable settlement from Sunkool-my view FULL CREDIT, I would file a dispute with the credit card company.
A claim with the better business bureau is another option.

[Velvet]

We use Sunshine AC. The AC stopped working and we noticed it around 10:00 am. We talked to our neighbors (both left and right) and one offered an extra capacitor but since we know nothing ourselves about ACs we decided to call Sunshine. Two hours later an emergency tech called. 3 hours later he was on his way. Then we found out it was the thermostat. They changed it. Very expensive we could have bought it for half as much at Amazon but we didn’t know that was the problem, and they do not instal equipment that is not from them. So we paid and enjoyed a cool evening.

[stevecmo]

The fact that you are a widow and they didn't try to take advantage says a lot. Thanks for sharing. I added them to my list.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Velvet

We use Sunshine AC. The AC stopped working and we noticed it around 10:00 am. We talked to our neighbors (both left and right) and one offered an extra capacitor but since we know nothing ourselves about ACs we decided to call Sunshine. Two hours later an emergency tech called. 3 hours later he was on his way. Then we found out it was the thermostat. They changed it. Very expensive we could have bought it for half as much at Amazon but we didn’t know that was the problem, and they do not instal equipment that is not from them. So we paid and enjoyed a cool evening.

Any repair, part of the cost is the person's training to know what to do. Could have bought it for half as much at Amazon, home depo etc that is not surprising either. A repair place might even buy parts from one of the discount outlets. Your ac is running on 220V. A capacitor stores current and then releases it. Done wrong you need to add to the repair cost of a trip to the hospital or even a funeral.

[Michael G.]

Awesome post.......there should be more like this.
We need to know the Company's that still care about servicing and not servicing the public.
We also need names posted here for the rest of us to stay clear of these fat cats from hell.

[FLSunshine]

I will never use SunKool again. We bought a new A/C from them and it didn't work for months. We had multiple technicians and supervisors say they fixed it but it still wouldn't cool the house and was still broken. After months of numerous calls and visits, one technician came out, diagnosed the problem immediately and said it was a bad part and it happened all the time. He came back, changed the part on the new A/C and now it works. If it was something that happened all of the time, I don't understand why any of the technicians nor supervisors ever mentioned it.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by DAVES

Any repair, part of the cost is the person's training to know what to do. Could have bought it for half as much at Amazon, home depo etc that is not surprising either. A repair place might even buy parts from one of the discount outlets. Your ac is running on 220V. A capacitor stores current and then releases it. Done wrong you need to add to the repair cost of a trip to the hospital or even a funeral.

Invariably, on TOTV, there has to be a Captain Obvious. Usually this is someone who is cautioning about a task they have never done themselves. Not only do the numerous YouTube videos tell you how to diagnose a bad capacitor but most also show you how to discharge a capacitor. In fact bad caps are so common there is an excellent chance you can replace the cap and fix the problem without diagnosis at all

Now is someone is unwilling to perform this task that's fine but to spread words of caution about something you don't understand that is something quite different.

[Babubhat]

The amount of Dunning-Kruger effect here is endless

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

The amount of Dunning-Kruger effect here is endless

Ha! Tell me about it, I have experienced this my entire adult life.

If I may paraphrase, Dunning Kruger effect is those who don't know how to do a task think they are an expert while those that do underestimate themselves.

Those who don't know how would be well served to listen to those who do know how to.

[Garywt]

That is interesting and I am glad you were able to get it fixed. SunKool is who installed our AC when the house was built. Last year we had no cooling but the unit was running. Called SunKool on a Saturday night. The tech called stating he was on a call and then would head over. 90 minutes he was there said the service call was $99.00. He had the part on the truck, replaced the capacitor and away we went. Part was covered under warranty. So that was it.

Very strange that your tech didn’t have parts and only charged $85 went their price is $99.

Well at least you have a contractor if you have additional problems. Enjoy sleeping back inside.

[EdFNJ]

I always have a capacitor and a relay (contactor) "in stock". So far last one installed has lasted 2 years. Thought I would need it today but it tuned out the condensate overflow switch's float hung up. The OP did exactly what she had to do and had no choice. If I was in her position I'd have done the same. I consider myself lucky that I am able to take care of these things myself mainly because I don't have the $$luxury$$ of being able to have people do everything for me even if I wanted.

To the OP, I'm glad you're cool again. I'd jump all over SUNKOOL for a refund. If it had been me I'd have either slept in my car with A/C running or taken out an equity loan to go to a hotel.

[noslices1]

Originally Posted by nana13

As you all know, we have had a very hot summer. Yup on Mon. my A/C quit, Unfortunate is was past 5 P.M. so I started calling verious companies after hrs. emergency numbers, First was Munn's couldn't come until 5 P.M the next day, called several more, did not do emergency calls any more, finally called SunKool, in Ocala, came around 9:30 p,m, had to pay $85.00 for night call. The tech. said I don't repair, I just do diagnostics. OK, he said the condenser fan was shot along with the capacitor, would have to call parts to order. Rep called in morning and said could not get part until the next day. (Fan). Long story short, waited until Thurs. still no part. Now my house is at 90 degrees. I slept on the Lanai, for three nights. Got the same run around everytime I would call , Finally said enough is enough and called Suter A/C out of leesburg came immediately, put a new capacitor on and miracle the fan was working.I paid thankd him (saved at least $6 to $ 700 hundred dollars. He said they carry fans on their trucks, but mine was fine. Great tech. very polite and understanding, Yes, I am a widow, and know nothing about A/C's Lessened learned, get two or more diagnostic tests, I highly recommend Suter A/C.

Sunkool quoted me $3000.00 more than it cost me from John’s A/C in Ocala. SunKool also did replace my capacitor a few years before and quoted me $150.00, but the bill was for $250.00 because of the “diagnostic charge”, after I told the tech it needed a capacitor.

[banjobob]

Thanks for the information , our AC is original 2012 .living on borrowed time.