I think I got "taken" by the a/c guy

[Janeway]

OK..here are the details...

 

The a/c guy delivered the new units. Then, shortly before he came back to install, we discovered that he had turned off the original units. So, he had not installed the new units. We realized the only reason the units were not working (we have two units, I am unsure if it is called a split system of not) was because they had been turned off. But, the guy said it was too late as the new units had already been delivered. Behind my back, he told my husband that our current units were illegally installed and far too old and were a fire and health hazard. As a result of him saying it was too late and we could not send back the new, uninstalled units, we let him install them. The new upstairs unit does not work. We have a window unit going (it is actually more than a window unit) and all the fans and the downstairs ac is turned down low to try to compensate. It is still about 85 degrees in the house upstairs. 

 

The guy refused to come back to try to figure out what was done wrong. I posted on FB what happened. He found out and came running back out to try to fix it. He then found out that he installed a wrong sized unit. He tried to charge us to change it. We got legal help (a neighbor who is a good friend). He then agreed to install the proper sized unit for no extra charge. 

 

It has been since Saturday morning and our upstairs is still in the 80's. The guy now tells us we need a new furnace. Coincidence? This house is only 13 yrs old! And it was built by a good builder. 

 

I called a lawyer today. It is coming down to I need to cancel my payment on my credit card.

 

Oh, that brings me to another thing..he tried to refuse a credit card and wanted cash for the work. But, before I consented to anything, he agreed to let us charge it. 

 

So..I am wondering..has anyone here had to cancel such a large charge on their credit card? What happened? What would you do? It was 10K.

[TABmom]

I've never done it- but in your situation I would. I was almost taken by an AC guy. After an electric surge, ours didn't work. A guy came and looked at it and explained to me in detail what the problem was and how the part was so expensive to replace, it would be better to get a new one. I was complaining about it at a MOPS meeting and another mom convinced me to have her husband come look at it (he was also an AC guy as a profession). He fixed it in 15 minutes with a $20 part he already had in his truck! Now I always ask around and get referrals before hiring anyone to do anything!

[Stacia]

I wonder if your homeowner's insurance company could help you in any way to get this resolved?

[Katy]

Yes, though not for that large of an amount.  Just call the number on your card, explain the fraud, and expect to wait.  It should take a couple of weeks, but as long as you're explaining everything correctly it will come back in your favor.  Also post on facebook again AND complain to the BBB.

 

In the future only hire someone to work on your home that has a longstanding excellent record with the BBB, because when they inevitably screw up, threatening to file a complaint with them usually rectifies the situation in days to weeks.

[mommyoffive]

Oh gosh.  

 

  I have no advice.   I am sorry you are going through this.

 

Please report this guy to the BBB

[fraidycat]

Call the card company and see what they say. The sooner the better.

 

Also, keep your appointment with the lawyer.

 

And maybe contact the police about the fraud of turning your units off to make a sale.

 

Report to BBB.

 

And (only with your lawyers consent!!), eviscerate the scum on social media.

[Garga]

Wait...are you saying your original units were never broken in the first place, ever?  He'd just turned them off and you thought they were broken?  Or am I reading that wrong? Because if that's what he did...!!

Edited August 9, 2016 by Garga

[Janeway]

Wait...are you saying your original units were never broken in the first place, ever? He'd just turned them off and you thought they were broken? Or am I reading that wrong? Because if that's what he did...!!

As far as we can tell, yes.

[barnwife]

Yes, It sounds like you got a sales job from a salesman, not an AC repairman.  Did the units work at all when you called him?  what were they doing?  It could be they were low and froze up, so he turned them off rather than recharge, or accidentally   let you see that they still worked.  Not a sign of good workmanship....

 

Yes, I've disputed a credit card charge close to that amount with a nationwide company.  It was actually an additional charge so the situation might have been different.  The credit card cancelled the charge and nothing came of it as far as I know credit wise, the company contacted me and settled for less than $100 payment.  

[Janeway]

Yes, It sounds like you got a sales job from a salesman, not an AC repairman. Did the units work at all when you called him? what were they doing? It could be they were low and froze up, so he turned them off rather than recharge, or accidentally let you see that they still worked. Not a sign of good workmanship....

 

Yes, I've disputed a credit card charge close to that amount with a nationwide company. It was actually an additional charge so the situation might have been different. The credit card cancelled the charge and nothing came of it as far as I know credit wise, the company contacted me and settled for less than $100 payment.

the upstairs unit had stopped working but needed more freon he said and it got working. But then he comes out and says the downstairs unit has all those problems. I said I thought the unit was fine. And he wasn't supposed to be checking the downstairs unit. After he left, we realized the downstairs unit was no longer working.

[happi duck]

Mean people suck.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Is he licensed and bonded?  If he is bonded, you can go to the bonding company for compensation. 

[gardenmom5]

cancel it - your cc company will want to know why - and you can tell them.  also report him to the state (I think that would even warrant the AGs office for fraud.)

 

 

I asked DH - he said to call the non-emergency police number.  this is straight out and out fraud.

[kiwik]

Sounds like a con artist - particularly the wanting cash bit. Strange even in NZ where we mostly use a/c for heating they seem to be a target for jerks.

[Alessandra]

I am sorry you are going through this. It has to be incredibly stressful. Call your credit card company. They will put the matter in dispute and send you a bunch of forms. You can attach as much documentation as you wish.

 

If the guy is a total crook, you may want to change your credit card number too, as he now has your info.

 

And do retain an attorney. Sometimes that can scare people.

 

I have heard that even calling some insurance companies can adversely affect your rates, so I would get some more opinions before taking that route.

 

I sympathize so much! Most of us are not a/c experts. Ugh!

 

If the guy appears again, jot down his license plate and get any other info about him. Sometimes scam artists move around from place to place.

Edited August 9, 2016 by Alessandra

[TranquilMind]

OK..here are the details...

 

The a/c guy delivered the new units. Then, shortly before he came back to install, we discovered that he had turned off the original units. So, he had not installed the new units. We realized the only reason the units were not working (we have two units, I am unsure if it is called a split system of not) was because they had been turned off. But, the guy said it was too late as the new units had already been delivered. Behind my back, he told my husband that our current units were illegally installed and far too old and were a fire and health hazard. As a result of him saying it was too late and we could not send back the new, uninstalled units, we let him install them. The new upstairs unit does not work. We have a window unit going (it is actually more than a window unit) and all the fans and the downstairs ac is turned down low to try to compensate. It is still about 85 degrees in the house upstairs. 

 

The guy refused to come back to try to figure out what was done wrong. I posted on FB what happened. He found out and came running back out to try to fix it. He then found out that he installed a wrong sized unit. He tried to charge us to change it. We got legal help (a neighbor who is a good friend). He then agreed to install the proper sized unit for no extra charge. 

 

It has been since Saturday morning and our upstairs is still in the 80's. The guy now tells us we need a new furnace. Coincidence? This house is only 13 yrs old! And it was built by a good builder. 

 

I called a lawyer today. It is coming down to I need to cancel my payment on my credit card.

 

Oh, that brings me to another thing..he tried to refuse a credit card and wanted cash for the work. But, before I consented to anything, he agreed to let us charge it. 

 

So..I am wondering..has anyone here had to cancel such a large charge on their credit card? What happened? What would you do? It was 10K.

 

What the heck? He turned off your units, and then told you they didn't work?  What a Scammer.  

 

No, it isn't too late at all. He lied to you. 

 

He can take the new units back if they are not needed.  I would have ejected him from my house on the spot and called someone else to service the units and see what is going on.

 

Yes, call your credit card company immediately.   I had to do this for a scamming contractor one time, who refused to return my money.  I had to put the story in writing, just the facts.  You know, On this date, this occurred.  On this date, this happened.  On this date, X was stated.  Leave emotion out of it!  Just the facts. 

 

After I did that, they flipped the charge and charged him back.    He may try to sue you, and you will countersue.  He will go away because he is a lying scammer, unless you signed something in advance stating that you agreed that these units were nonrefundable even if unnecessary (and I am sure you did not).