I was talking with a mechanical engineer from Airco about the time Christian Brothers charged me $375 for 4.5 lbs of Freon.
The guy from Airco said that HVAC service companies tell the techs to find a charge for over $300 or $400 no matter what they do to justify the time on the job. Christian Brothers charged me $455 for the service charge and the Freon.
Olddog aka Homemoaner
So, are you assuming *all* HVAC companies are the same? I sure hope not!
Thats not too far off the mark. Even in rural south Mississippi I get $363 for the service call and 4.5lbs of R-22
How long is the service call.
How long were they there?
Don't forget travel time.
Just one guy. About 1.5 maybe 2 hours at the most. It was awhile back. I really don't remember.
I'm getting my a/c serviced in February and I'm not calling Christian Brothers. If it needs another 4lbs of Freon I'm getting a new one instead.
Olddog
Well obviously grossly marking up Freon is common.
I'm in the city limits and Christian Bros. is local.
Olddog
Doesn't matter. I pull my prices straight out of my flat rate price book, and yes the labor is included in the book price. If you want a discount, then you buy a service agreement.
">>I was talking with a mechanical engineer from Airco about the time Christian
Thats beside the point. They charge what they do, because thats what it costs to keep their doors open, keep the service trucks on the road. pay salaries and make a small profit.
want but I'm a
Fuck you, I'd charge you triple just because you're a whiny little ba-atch!
I am the real ftwhd and I approve this message.
No! I think they should have done it for nothing! This way they can go bankrupt and no longer give you quality service. What in the hell are they thinking!?!?!
It's going to need 12 pounds and a thermostat this time you fucktard.
I am the real ftwhd and I approve this message.
Then everyone I've talked to (hvac professionals) with regards to the 1600% markup is crazy. It's just standard business practice?
Interesting
Thanks guys.
Olddog
Oh brother! If they want to stay in business they will charge a reasonable charge. A 1600% markup is far from reasonable. It's not like it took the guy all day to do it. After I gave him the ok he had it done in less than 15 min. He got his service charge + the 1600% markup. There is nothing that could justify that.
Olddog
It's interesting how you're trying to confuse facts with reality.
There's different ways to price products and services. No two companies operate the same way. There's also the fact that MANY companies don't price their service correctly and run themselves right out of business. A fact that MANY people operate their business in different ways. Loss leaders, selling equipment instead of making a repair, etc, etc...
You have to make money, period. Or you simply go under and are no longer in business. That's a fact that you can't get around. Now there are companies that subsidies their operations everyday. That doesn't mean that the service you received was over priced. It just mean you didn't find one and are now pissed that you paid $455 for a repair. I assume you approved the repair? If it was so EXPENSIVE, why didn't you pay the service call and get a second opinion?
If you want to take your little $455 repair as a complete lesson on how to run a business, so be it. I on the other hand have the knowledge, skills, experience and understanding that it takes to know how to run a profitable company. But if you want a CHEAPER price on your next repair/installation, I suggest you call GM/Ford/Chrysler... they will be able to met your needs, at a price you can afford and make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Then we can wait for the next Federal bailout plan for the automotive industry.
Get a clue!
heh
In reality I paid $225. $65 service charge and the rest fo r-22.
Olddog
repair/installation,
Next time make sure and get quote per lb up front and tell them the tech needs to a leak detector some new valves and a shrader replacement tool.
Hey dipshit, it's like my other posts states... there's different ways to price products and services.
Your bill: Service Call $80 Refrigerant $375 ============ Total repair $ 455
Do you really think his labor and overhead only cost him $80????? If so, you're a complete idiot.
Would it comfort you if his bill was as follows: Service Call $80 Labor costs $300 Refrigerant $75 ============== Total repair $ 455
What did you say, you only make $10-15-20 an hour working for someone? If so, ask your employer what he charges for your time. If he can't or won't tell you, just think about the cost that are attached to your employment.
401K Health Plans Dental Coverage Workmen's Comp. Social Security Liability Insurance Paid Vacations Paid Sick Days Paid Personal Days Holiday Pay Christmas BonusPlace to work Utilities Property Insurance Tools Inventory Service Vehicle Vehicle Insurance Vehicle upkeep Fuel/oil/tires/brakes/etc Delivery fees Office supplies Postage Training
Other employees wages Stock personnel Secretary Accountant Lawyer
It's all part of the bigger picture you fail to see... clients pay for everything. If not, you're subsidizing your business, period!
Are you starting to see that a $80 service call fee isn't going to cut it??????
yeah right!
LOL
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