Do you think this is wrong? (Updated)

[bsnyder]

My dad has a maintenance contract on his central A/C. Last month, I scheduled the semi-annual maintenance, which they came out and performed. There's a 20-point "professional tune-up check list" that they do, as part of the pre-paid contract.

Two weeks later, the thermostat started going haywire, alternating between running the A/C full blast, and the heat full blast. So I called the company and they sent a technician out. The problem? The thermostat needed the two AA batteries replaced. The cost? $141.00!! And that didn't include the batteries.

I didn't even know the thermostat had batteries.

Don't you think this should be part of the maintenance program, to change the batteries?

I've asked for a supervisor to call me back, and hopefully they'll do something to reduce the charge.

Am I missing something here?

 

[Runningman]

Sounds like you got scammed. I don't think thermostats have batteries either.

 

[wvjules]

I would think that the battery check would be part of the 'tune up'. If they missed it on their first visit that's their fault, not yours.

BTW, I never knew thermostats had batteries either.

 

[Galahad]

Sounds like he's getting taken advantage of on a technicality. I would think that if this were at all common that he'd be asked on the phone to check the batteries before they even sent someone out. Yes, I think it's wrong - but probably permissible. I hope they give him some consideration.

 

[Figment2]

Sounds like your Dad has a programmable thermostat and, yes, they do take batteries. Who installed the thermostat? If the company did, then maybe you have a leg to stand on. If not, then I doubt it is part of their check list.

Sorry.

Cyn

 

[bsnyder]

Sounds like he's getting taken advantage of on a technicality. I would think that if this were at all common that he'd be asked on the phone to check the batteries before they even sent someone out. Yes, I think it's wrong - but probably permissible. I hope they give him some consideration.

That's how it feels to me - like a technicality. Changing the batteries is NOT on the check list, probably because not all (or even most) thermostats have batteries. But for the ones that do, it seems like it should be included in the maintenance. Regardless, it's not a very good way to do business. He's been a customer for quite a while, so I'm hoping a supervisor will have some discretion here and do the right thing.

But it's so irritating. I started calling about this last Friday - got the run around and then finally asked to speak to a supervisor. Gave my cell phone as a call back number and I haven't heard back from anyone. So I just called again, went through the whole thing again and left my number again.

 

[4greatboys]

Sounds like you got scammed. I don't think thermostats have batteries either.

Our digital read out thermostats do have batteries, AA. It makes sense it should fall under the service agreement he has for maintenance but it probably doesnt--just another way to scam you out of some money.

 

[luvmydogs]

Our programmable thermostat has batteries, and when it's low, it will flash "LBatt."

However, whether or not it's in the contract, I think it would be in the best interest of this company to reduce or eliminate the charge altogether. Good customer service mixed with some compassion and good will on the part of these people could go a along way to to insure your father's repeat business--and repeat business/good word of mouth should be something a reputable company desires from it's customers.

Bet, charging your father $141 for batteries--technicality or not--is a crime. That kind of behavior really burns me, and I hope this gets resolved to your satisfaction.

 

[kadaten]

Well, the $141 seems excessive, but only because they should have been able to figure out that it was the batteries rather quickly, and should have only charged you for the minimum labor/service call charge, which around here is anywhere from $65-85. If $141 is what it is in your area, WOW!, and I'm sorry. How long was the guy there before he figured it out?

Been there, done that. It's called "life tuition" and it feels really stupid to have to pay it but you'll probably never have to pay it again (at least not for that "course"! ). Our last "life tuition payment" was when we thought water was coming out of the ceiling when the shower was turned on. Couldn't figure it out....there didn't seem to be any way for the water to be getting there to leak. Called the plumber (late at night) who came out early the very next day....only to find the shower head was loose, spraying water on the ceiling, that was THEN dripping back down. It was just a funny angle so we didn't see it spraying out of the shower head. Guy was here less than 5 minutes (and laughing hysterically the entire time) but we still had to pay for the service call of $65.

If batteries weren't on the checklist, then sorry to say, they're not responsible for them. Live and learn....and next time, check the batteries before you call in a technician! (We have batteries in our programmable thermostats, too....so thanks for the tip! )

 

[arminnie]

However, whether or not it's in the contract, I think it would be in the best interest of this company to reduce or eliminate the charge altogether. Good customer service mixed with some compassion and good will on the part of these people could go a along way to to insure your father's repeat business--and repeat business/good word of mouth should be something a reputable company desires from it's customers.

My dad had an a/c company, and I just asked him about this. With a service contract he would not have charged you for the call even if it was just the batteries.

 

[luvmydogs]

My dad had an a/c company, and I just asked him about this. With a service contract he would not have charged you for the call even if it was just the batteries.

Your father's is a company with whom I would gladly do business.

 

[bsnyder]

Your father's is a company with whom I would gladly do business.

Me too!

I can't even get this company to call me back. *sigh*

 

[arminnie]

Well my dad is now almost 85 so he's not active anymore. Maybe it's because he was from the "old school" of providing customer service.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Sounds like you got scammed. I don't think thermostats have batteries either.

Sorry to tell you but many thermostats do have batteries. That is what keeps the program when the power goes off. All 5 of our programmable thermostats have batteries. The way our thermostats are you set it to heat/air/auto/off.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I'd cancel the service contract and pay that company $5 a month until the $141 is paid off. That company should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[bsnyder]

A supervisor finally called me back!

They agreed to reduce the charge to $49.00. I guess I can live with that - the service technician did come out to the house, and very promptly, so their time is worth something.

And in the future, I'll be replacing those batteries when I do the smoke detectors.