On 4/30/2012 10:41 AM, Tamara Lynn wrote:
"Ed wrote:
"Tamara wrote in message
I was told about 16 years ago when I bought the house that the Lennox
central heat and air was on its last leg. I am glad I have waited this
long.

I have been cheated nearly every time a service 'professional' comes out.
One drove a half a mile, slammed the doors shut and billed me $85 for 5
minutes of work. I am a single mother, now unemployed and can't afford a
new unit at this time. But it is on my wish list...after the election,
when I hope to be able to get a job. :-)

T
Once you get working, think about a new unit. It may pay for itself with
energy savings.

Oh, that tech worked more than five minutes, unless he lived next door.
And he has a lot of costs to maintain that truck and tools. In this area,
it is about $120 to ring the doorbell.
As I said above, it's on my wish list. I had two bids to buy one at the
time I lost my job. I have to live on meager savings, because my child
support is more than $367 per month, which means no foods stamps or
healthcare.

As to $120 to ring the bell, well that is pure bull****. Not only am I an
accountant, but have owned and ran several businesses over 25 years. I am
not going to break down the costs for you, but he was practically next door.
The one before him lied about a pound on the freon.

I may be a female, but I am not an idiot.lol




That $85 sounds like a min charge and not at all unusual. You're an
accountant so so know what "opportunity cost" is. If you don't want to
pay the min charge, don't have them come out. They have to have some
form of protection. I always ask what the min service charge is upfront.
It's good to know the hourly rate after that too.

BTW: AFAIK, Freon is only going to get more expensive. I don't get upset
about markups until they get past 100% but it's common to go well over that.