We have a contract with an air conditioning firm who checks our equipment twice a year and advises us of problems. Six months ago, Ed went for one recommendation that was pricey. Two guys came a couple of days ago. Ed had to be out, said I should handle it.They showed me photos of the godawful mess in our attic – water everywhere, rusted coil, etc. The guy went on a really long time . I kept telling him I got the message, I understood, would discuss it with Ed. He wouldn't shut up. I began to suspect that the photos on his phone he was showing me were standard, taken elsewhere, and being used to hotbox me into a costly replacement of our air conditioner and condenser. $5500, they said.

So when Ed got home, I suggested he check the attic out or have our handyman do it, but instead we called a local a/c guy.Tiger had sold the company, but the fellow who now owned it sent a young guy out,very knowledgeable. He came later the same afternoon and was very thorough. Said there was very little water and no corrosion. Suspicions confirmed. We told him the name of the company with the disaster story, and he said they had changed their name from something else because there had been so many complaints. Obviously, we will not renew our contract and will make a deal with this guy instead.

Ed wanted to call the company and ream them out, but I persuaded him not to. Said we shouldn't give them a heads up. We should just report them to the Better Business Bureau and not renew the contract when it was time.

They will probably follow up to make the sale of the new a/c and I am wondering how I will handle that. Should I tell them we know?



Live and learn

xx, Teal