I have an estimate for an air conditioning repair, replacing the
capacitor. $180.00 installed. It sounds reasonable to me, is it?

--
Cheri

Cheri wrote:
I have an estimate for an air conditioning repair, replacing the
capacitor. $180.00 installed. It sounds reasonable to me, is it?

Which cap?

It sounds about right.
--
Moe Jones
HVAC Service Technician
Energy Equalizers Inc.
Houston, Texas
www.EnergyEqualizers.com

On Sun, 2 Sep 2007 14:36:55 -0700, "Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom
wrote:

I have an estimate for an air conditioning repair, replacing the
capacitor. $180.00 installed. It sounds reasonable to me, is it?

Sounds about normal.

could be worse, could be better.

On Sep 2, 4:36 pm, "Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote:
I have an estimate for an air conditioning repair, replacing the
capacitor. $180.00 installed. It sounds reasonable to me, is it?

--
Cheri

It sounds about right for the large companies
with the spiffy uniforms and shiny new trucks.

[8~{} Uncle Monster

Moe Jones wrote in message
...
Cheri wrote:
I have an estimate for an air conditioning repair, replacing the
capacitor. $180.00 installed. It sounds reasonable to me, is it?

Which cap?

It sounds about right.


Thanks to all who replied. This is a very helpful group to me since I
don't know a lot about prices of repairs and things.

Cheri

wrote in message
om...
On Sep 2, 4:36 pm, "Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote:
I have an estimate for an air conditioning repair, replacing the
capacitor. $180.00 installed. It sounds reasonable to me, is it?

--
Cheri

It sounds about right for the large companies
with the spiffy uniforms and shiny new trucks.

No shiny truck or spiffy uniform, but he did come on Labor Day Weekend
within a few hours of calling him, and looks like the charge was
reasonable, so I would use him again. Thanks.

Cheri

On Sep 2, 7:22 pm, "Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote:
wrote in message

om...

On Sep 2, 4:36 pm, "Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote:
I have an estimate for an air conditioning repair, replacing the
capacitor. $180.00 installed. It sounds reasonable to me, is it?

--
Cheri

It sounds about right for the large companies
with the spiffy uniforms and shiny new trucks.

No shiny truck or spiffy uniform, but he did come on Labor Day Weekend
within a few hours of calling him, and looks like the charge was
reasonable, so I would use him again. Thanks.

Cheri

Whenever someone asks me if I charge extra for
weekends and holidays, I always answer: "No, I
charge the same outrageous rate, regardless."

[8~{} Uncle Monster

Cheri wrote:

I have an estimate for an air conditioning repair, replacing the
capacitor. $180.00 installed. It sounds reasonable to me, is it?
-- Cheri


Cheri, the charge depends on a lot of factors; how far will the tech
have to travel, where is the unit located, attic , roof or at ground level.
There is a wide variation in the cost of capacitors!
I did most tech work at too low a cost for a proper profit level. udarrell

--
WISDOM PRINCIPLE DIRECTED EMPOWERMENT COMMUNICATIONS -
THE REAL POLITICAL ISSUES and WISDOM BASED PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT

http://www.udarrell.com/my_pages2.htm
(* My Airconditioning Links, Hunting Shooting, Angus Cattle, etc.)

Reality Is Not An Easy Thing To Be Confronted With, or to Accept!

thats a ripoff for 10 minute job and 12.00 part..

http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm

wrote:
thats a ripoff for 10 minute job and 12.00 part..

http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm


I don't know what you think of as a rip off
but I probably would have charged $130 to
$145 for such a call. I've had people get
upset over having to pay a service charge
when I tell them that their piece of gear
is uneconomical to repair. They'll say "You
didn't repair it." My answer is "If you go
see a doctor and he runs a bunch of tests,
then tells you you're going to die, you still
have to pay him."

[8~{} Uncle Monster

wrote in message
...
thats a ripoff for 10 minute job and 12.00 part..

http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm

I was thinking rip off also if it was during regular hours. I felt ripped
off when I was charged $ 40 for a capacitor when some other work was done on
my unit. The capacitor should have been about half that.

Guess it depends on where you are in the country. Thinking about $ 50 per
hour and a 2 hour call (driving time included ,about 1 hour) and parts.
maybe $ 120 to $ 150 tops.

Uncle Monster wrote:
wrote:
thats a ripoff for 10 minute job and 12.00 part..

http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm


I don't know what you think of as a rip off
but I probably would have charged $130 to
$145 for such a call. I've had people get
upset over having to pay a service charge
when I tell them that their piece of gear
is uneconomical to repair. They'll say "You
didn't repair it." My answer is "If you go
see a doctor and he runs a bunch of tests,
then tells you you're going to die, you still
have to pay him."


A better answer:

"Well, you could have brought the unit to me..."

I never call anyone who dosen't give free estimates. They tend to be
reasonable as customers can say thanks but no thanks. Those who
charge without doing anything are ripoff artists and will inflate
chareges as they got ya'

On Sep 3, 11:03 am, Uncle Monster wrote:
wrote:
thats a ripoff for 10 minute job and 12.00 part..

http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm

I don't know what you think of as a rip off
but I probably would have charged $130 to
$145 for such a call. I've had people get
upset over having to pay a service charge
when I tell them that their piece of gear
is uneconomical to repair. They'll say "You
didn't repair it." My answer is "If you go
see a doctor and he runs a bunch of tests,
then tells you you're going to die, you still
have to pay him."

[8~{} Uncle Monster

Uncle Monster wrote in message ...
wrote:
thats a ripoff for 10 minute job and 12.00 part..

http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm


I don't know what you think of as a rip off
but I probably would have charged $130 to
$145 for such a call. I've had people get
upset over having to pay a service charge
when I tell them that their piece of gear
is uneconomical to repair. They'll say "You
didn't repair it." My answer is "If you go
see a doctor and he runs a bunch of tests,
then tells you you're going to die, you still
have to pay him."


Yes, I wasn't complaining about the cost either, especially since my
AC had been on the fritz the day before as well, and over 100 degrees
several days in a row where I am. I was just curious if it was a
reasonable charge, which I thought was quite reasonable, and most here
agree. So thanks for the input.

Cheir

look you cheep prick you expect man to travel few hours
pay for his gasoline insurance ETC. to gave you estimate
for nothing you are living in dream world
but I can blame you there is sucker in every line of work
there is also old say that you can get call girl on credit once
but I don't think you will get it again and I bet you didn't tip
the guy either
Tony

wrote in message
oups.com...
I never call anyone who dosen't give free estimates. They tend to be
reasonable as customers can say thanks but no thanks. Those who
charge without doing anything are ripoff artists and will inflate
chareges as they got ya'

On Sep 3, 11:03 am, Uncle Monster wrote:
wrote:
thats a ripoff for 10 minute job and 12.00 part..

http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm

I don't know what you think of as a rip off
but I probably would have charged $130 to
$145 for such a call. I've had people get
upset over having to pay a service charge
when I tell them that their piece of gear
is uneconomical to repair. They'll say "You
didn't repair it." My answer is "If you go
see a doctor and he runs a bunch of tests,
then tells you you're going to die, you still
have to pay him."

[8~{} Uncle Monster

Tony wrote in message ...

but I don't think you will get it again and I bet you didn't tip
the guy either
Tony

I know you're not posting to me, but I did tip him $20.00. He did say
he was the owner and the worker, which is why he was working on Labor
Day Weekend, and he told me that it wasn't necessary to tip him, but I
was extrememly pleased with him so I did.

Cheri

wrote:
I never call anyone who dosen't give free estimates. They tend to be
reasonable as customers can say thanks but no thanks. Those who
charge without doing anything are ripoff artists and will inflate
chareges as they got ya'


Care to describe how covering the cost of the workman's salary, the
truck operational expense, insurance etc to provide an opinion is not
"doing anything"?

Cheri wrote:
Tony wrote in message ...

but I don't think you will get it again and I bet you didn't tip
the guy either
Tony

I know you're not posting to me, but I did tip him $20.00. He did say
he was the owner and the worker, which is why he was working on Labor
Day Weekend, and he told me that it wasn't necessary to tip him, but I
was extrememly pleased with him so I did.

Cheri


I'm in love, will you run away with me?
bats eyes stutters looks awkward

[8~{} Uncle Monster

wrote in message
ups.com...

Whenever someone asks me if I charge extra for
weekends and holidays, I always answer: "No, I
charge the same outrageous rate, regardless."


LMAO

wrote in message
oups.com...
I never call anyone who dosen't give free estimates. They tend to be
reasonable as customers can say thanks but no thanks. Those who
charge without doing anything are ripoff artists and will inflate
chareges as they got ya'


You're clueless...

I might as well drive around and give *free* estimates all day?
How's that pay the bills?

Get a clue!

"Uncle Monster" wrote in message
...
Cheri wrote:
Tony wrote in message ...

but I don't think you will get it again and I bet you didn't tip
the guy either
Tony

I know you're not posting to me, but I did tip him $20.00. He did say
he was the owner and the worker, which is why he was working on Labor
Day Weekend, and he told me that it wasn't necessary to tip him, but I
was extrememly pleased with him so I did.

Cheri


I'm in love, will you run away with me?
bats eyes stutters looks awkward


Back-off, she's mine! :-)

"Ralph Mowery" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
...
thats a ripoff for 10 minute job and 12.00 part..

http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm

I was thinking rip off also if it was during regular hours. I felt ripped
off when I was charged $ 40 for a capacitor when some other work was done
on
my unit. The capacitor should have been about half that.


So having the part, stocking the part, etc, costs nothing and should be
worth nothing?


Guess it depends on where you are in the country. Thinking about $ 50 per
hour and a 2 hour call (driving time included ,about 1 hour) and parts.
maybe $ 120 to $ 150 tops.


$50 an hour?
Do you like working for free, below minimum wage, or in some cases pay to
work there?

kjpro @ usenet.com wrote in message
...


I might as well drive around and give *free* estimates all day?
How's that pay the bills?

Get a clue!

I've never paid for an estimate. I'm going to spend about $1million in the
next 6 or 7 months. Some of the jobs will be let with no estimate, others
will be one, some will be three. That decision is based on work we've done
together in the past. The jobs will not always go to the lowest bidder
either, as there are other factors to consider such as the ability to do a
job properly, within the time required, etc.

I will pay for engineering of a fire sprinkler system, but once the
engineering is done, I may get additional prices for the actual work. I
would pay for having the specifications written for a HVAC system also, but
then I own that information and may have others bid on it.

Estimating is part of the cost of doing business. We do quotes for free,
but we may or may not invest in making you a sample as that can take 2 to 5
man-hours of work. If you are an existing customer, yes, we will. If I
don't know you, then there may be a charge.

With your experience, you can probably walk into a potential customers home
and ball park, for example, "$6000 to $7000, are you interested?" and
eliminate most of the window shoppers right there. .

If you can charge for estimates and you have all the work you can handle,
then that works for you. Great

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
kjpro @ usenet.com wrote in message
...

I might as well drive around and give *free* estimates all day?
How's that pay the bills?

Get a clue!

I've never paid for an estimate. I'm going to spend about $1million in the
next 6 or 7 months. Some of the jobs will be let with no estimate, others
will be one, some will be three. That decision is based on work we've done
together in the past. The jobs will not always go to the lowest bidder
either, as there are other factors to consider such as the ability to do a
job properly, within the time required, etc.

I will pay for engineering of a fire sprinkler system, but once the
engineering is done, I may get additional prices for the actual work. I
would pay for having the specifications written for a HVAC system also, but
then I own that information and may have others bid on it.

Estimating is part of the cost of doing business. We do quotes for free,
but we may or may not invest in making you a sample as that can take 2 to 5
man-hours of work. If you are an existing customer, yes, we will. If I
don't know you, then there may be a charge.

With your experience, you can probably walk into a potential customers home
and ball park, for example, "$6000 to $7000, are you interested?" and
eliminate most of the window shoppers right there. .

If you can charge for estimates and you have all the work you can handle,
then that works for you. Great


Some people confuse a repair estimate with a sales estimate.
If I go out and spend time tearing down a piece of equipment,
dragging out all manner of tools and test gear to diagnose a
problem, it's not free. The service call charge will be part
of the total repair bill if a customer decides to have the
equipment repaired. If someone just wants a rough estimate of
the cost of new equipment, that's no problem and can be done
at no charge. If someone wants documents, engineering drawings,
calculations and an exact contract cost, that is considered by
me to be a consulting service and that's not free. Of course
regular customers who spend thousands of dollars a year with
me for service get a break and boot licking and groveling, etc.

[8~{} Uncle Monster

"Uncle Monster" wrote in message
Some people confuse a repair estimate with a sales estimate.
If I go out and spend time tearing down a piece of equipment,
dragging out all manner of tools and test gear to diagnose a
problem, it's not free. The service call charge will be part
of the total repair bill if a customer decides to have the
equipment repaired. If someone just wants a rough estimate of
the cost of new equipment, that's no problem and can be done
at no charge. If someone wants documents, engineering drawings,
calculations and an exact contract cost, that is considered by
me to be a consulting service and that's not free. Of course
regular customers who spend thousands of dollars a year with
me for service get a break and boot licking and groveling, etc.

[8~{} Uncle Monster

Yes, there is a big difference between the two. I'd not hesitate to pay for
some diagnostics so I can then make a repair/'replace decision. But I'm not
going to pay for someone to just price out a system. That is sort of like
paying a fee to go into a new car showroom.

Moe Jones wrote:
Cheri wrote:
I have an estimate for an air conditioning repair, replacing the
capacitor. $180.00 installed. It sounds reasonable to me, is it?

Which cap?

Baseball


It sounds about right.

If your prices are fair you will have plenty of business.

On Sep 4, 11:19 am, kjpro @ usenet.com wrote:
wrote in message

oups.com...

I never call anyone who dosen't give free estimates. They tend to be
reasonable as customers can say thanks but no thanks. Those who
charge without doing anything are ripoff artists and will inflate
chareges as they got ya'

You're clueless...

I might as well drive around and give *free* estimates all day?
How's that pay the bills?

Get a clue!

Cheri wrote:
I have an estimate for an air conditioning repair, replacing the
capacitor. $180.00 installed. It sounds reasonable to me, is it?

--
Cheri


I think it was reasonable as we don't know where you live; cost of
living, didn't try to sell unneeded parts, take advantage of you.

I will tell you don't try to second guess yourself. He fixed it, you
paid it, and it is still working (I presume). You can also assume he
knows what he's doing and is honest because he fixed the problem and
didn't charge $400 - $500; which if he wanted to he could have without
you even knowing. Keep his number and recommend him to others.

I guess you are a ripoff artist. "That'll be $100 to look at it" is
your mantra. We see those kind on those investigative shows all the
time.

On Sep 3, 3:30 pm, "Tony" wrote:
look you cheep prick you expect man to travel few hours
pay for his gasoline insurance ETC. to gave you estimate
for nothing you are living in dream world
but I can blame you there is sucker in every line of work
there is also old say that you can get call girl on credit once
but I don't think you will get it again and I bet you didn't tip
the guy either
Tony

wrote in message

oups.com...



I never call anyone who dosen't give free estimates. They tend to be
reasonable as customers can say thanks but no thanks. Those who
charge without doing anything are ripoff artists and will inflate
chareges as they got ya'

On Sep 3, 11:03 am, Uncle Monster wrote:
wrote:
thats a ripoff for 10 minute job and 12.00 part..

http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm

I don't know what you think of as a rip off
but I probably would have charged $130 to
$145 for such a call. I've had people get
upset over having to pay a service charge
when I tell them that their piece of gear
is uneconomical to repair. They'll say "You
didn't repair it." My answer is "If you go
see a doctor and he runs a bunch of tests,
then tells you you're going to die, you still
have to pay him."

[8~{} Uncle Monster- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -