Udy wrote: ↑Fri Jul 14, 2017 6:59 pm
This is even more off topic. But similar.
I don't know squat about HVAC. I am a heavy equipment mechanic by trade, and not afraid to open stuff up and take a peek at least. Well my LENOX furnace quit a couple winters ago and it was cold out. I opened it up and there was a circuit board that was obviously fried that controls the whole thing. OK, I see a part number printed on it. I google the part number and sure enough there it is, I can order one for $15.00 or if I want to buy ten at a time (contractor price) they are only $10.00 each. OK good to know, but its cold out, I'll go see if our local LENOX dealer has one as I would like to start heating the house again.
Yup sais the guy at the counter, that will be $480.00. I think I blinked a couple times and let it sink in and then said dumbfounded are you sure? I can buy one directly from LENOX for $15.00. Now mind you its still cold outside I would have brought one home for $100.00 all be it not happily, but would have just the same, but $480.00? NO. His reply was well do you want it or not, I thought maybe he would dicker with me a bit once I called bs on the price. I left the store empty and next day aired the one online one for like a grand total of $30.
I understand making a profit, but this kind of stuff is darn near theft.
Like a number of service industries, particularly for the home, what they really want is for you pay them to do it. And, if you do, don't be surprised if you "need" additional parts or service. My neighbor needed a drain unclogged. The plumber did so then claimed he smelled gas. The pipes, according to him were old and she needed to replace the entire gas system, for about $5000. I really hate it when they try to take advantage of the old, infirm or just single women.
The plumber left the gas off. She called the gas company (who just happens to have a brand new "insurance" deal to maintain your gas lines) the fellow said he couldn't turn it back on because he didn't turn it off. Then the sneaky *** put a blank in the line to prevent gas flow if someone turned on the valve.
She tried to turn on the valve and none of her gas fired appliances worked. It took me about 15 minutes to find the blank, remove it and restore her gas. Sad when two men from two companies, motivated only by a chance to make money, would try to rip off an older single female.
Oh, and the gas company swore their people would never do such a thing. Well then, they should never give their folks blanks (they put them in when shutting off gas service) with the name of the utility stamped into them.