"jymusic" wrote in message
news:avsbg.65$zg5.3@trndny04...
My mom and I both live in the same complex. We likely have the same exact
model of central A/C condensor (around 19 years old). Mine says Carrier
38EN048320.

We both had a tuneup scheduled and, in addition to the regular tune-up,
the
technician recommended the EXACT same extra work on both our units, which
makes use wonder if the extra work was really necessary and the price was
really reasonable.

Hard to say for sure. At 19 years, the part may have been on the way out.
When I lived in PA, we had to have our cars inspected twice a year (now it
is only once). The shops all had a gimmick to make a few quick buck. We
had three cars in our family and in one round, they all needed a headlight
adjustment. Six months later they all needed wiper blades. Six months
later, well you get the idea. Back they we were driving some real
crapmobiles so it was cheaper to pay $2 for an adjustment rather than them
find the worn ball joints that a reputable shop would have done.