HVAC STING OPERATION.
Posted on 2013-03-01 12:52:44
- The consumer, in an effort to protect themselves, has become skeptical, and often with good reason. We’re trusted with the comfort of consumers and safety of home and business owners.
Are we all entitled to make a profit in business? Absolutely!
Are we justified in charging for our expertise? No doubt!
But, must we apply integrity and honesty? No question!
Are you guaranteed to make profit on each service call? Get real!
The reality…to take money to which you are not entitled….well, it’s just plain wrong! - Expertise, integrity and professionalism have always, and continue to be, the cornerstone of our company. We feel that a moral barometer must be the underlying foundation that supports every decision and act of service. It’s how we do business…and we’d love to see our colleagues adopt the same policy, too.
- Sometimes the ‘right’ repair…is ‘NO REPAIR’!
Come on guys!
says:
Great Post Bonnie.
says:
Right on Bobby, if you need a great, service manager give me a ring 305-854-8103. If you need to train your service tech I have a very good tutorial in video-DVD format that they can use to teach fundamentals of troubleshooting to themselves.
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- Unfortunately, I see this problem too often as I travel the country. I agree with Bobby 100%; Present solutions to the problem and make professional recommendations. Empower the consumer to make buying decisions based on our professional advice. Good Work Bobby. This can definitely be good training material.
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Not all professional advice is true,It is sometimes a show in order to get the work.I see alot of contractors,project managers etc that that present themselves as professionals,but are full of crap.it all boils down to a person integrity,honesty,and conscience. Honesty,integrity,come 1st, the dollars will follow on its own.
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- Bobby thanks for taking on the challenge of doing these types of sting operations. I believe all contractors should work with their state and local media and cities on any type of sting that would be helpfull in raising the bar of our industry.
- As we have all said in the past ” Raising the water level in the lake will raise all boats” and if we don’t continue to have “The Real HVACR Industry Stand Up” and be recgonized, these types of contractors will continue to pull the good ones down.
- Thanks to ACCA and Pauls leadership in making ACCA the Real Thing that can combat and work with these events to show the customers there are REAL PROFESSIONALS in the HVACR business.
Thanks Larry for weighing in on this issue.
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- I wonder if the Today show crew ONLY called out 6 contractors… or if they called 20 or 25 and only aired the worst??? Is there any way to confirm this?
John:
There were only six contractors at the home. They all found the problem within 5-10 minutes and then all went on to tell the homeowner that she required additional unnecessary repairs.
There were only six contractors at the home. They all found the problem within 5-10 minutes and then all went on to tell the homeowner that she required additional unnecessary repairs.
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- Nice job Bobby. I remember doing a few of these stories over the years and am well aware of the ‘cutting room floor.’ It’s not about doing the right thing always — it’s about the ratings. At least NBC listed more good info on their website. Keep up the good fight my friends!
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Bobby:
Great job!
Lee
Great job!
Lee
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- Bobby,
As hard as it was to participate, it was by far the right thing to do. Every industry has its dark side, it’s our job to be that bright light of what is good. You clearly showed the correct work path for the consumer and by doing so represented us all at the highest level.
Blue Skies Always,
Don Millard
Bel Red Energy Solutions
Don,
You’re right – it was not an easy decision. Thanks for recognizaing it was the right thing to do.
You’re right – it was not an easy decision. Thanks for recognizaing it was the right thing to do.
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- Bobby, I see what you did not as a choice but as a duty that we all have when presented with the opportunity.
- Manny Chaves
Chaves Heating&Air Conditioning, Inc
Hudson, MA
Manny,
That really sums it up best! Thanks so much for letting others know that you see it the same way I did.
That really sums it up best! Thanks so much for letting others know that you see it the same way I did.
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- Thank you for helping in this matter. Personaly to many licensed and unlicensed contractors have technitions that are commision based which is in my opinion is one of the two roots of the problem with the second being continueing education. I repair too many units that have been condemed by others. All contractors should test there own technitions and provide training. If you pay more for preformance rather than commision for sales it would discourage this kind of issues. Have a great day!
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I have looked at the Performance Pay system and have rejected it. My techs are trained, again and again to accurately diagnose problems and present solutions to clients. Sometimes, when the equipment is old or at or near the end of its useful life cycle, we offer replacement as an option. But we only condemn the dead, not the living.
As to why the producers of the TV segment only had losers- that is because losers were their target. To have 10 technicians show up and correctly diagnose and repair the systems would not have made for exciting TV. I believe they should have had at least honorable contractor in their segment. But that’s me.
As to why the producers of the TV segment only had losers- that is because losers were their target. To have 10 technicians show up and correctly diagnose and repair the systems would not have made for exciting TV. I believe they should have had at least honorable contractor in their segment. But that’s me.
says:
Seems to me we had the same situation about 10 years ago when I still worked at headquarters. In this case, they showed bad techs venting refrigerant which the home owner paid for. Having a background in journalism, I heartily endorse ACCA’s and Bobby’s actions. You lose a lot by turning your back on a media invitation, but at least gain a fighting chance if you cooperate. I wish we had more ACCA residential contractors in Colorado Springs. You just go on reputation. We’ve already changed once. And, you would think they never heard of a service contract. As others have said, good job Bobby.says:
Great Job Bob! Unfortunately it is easy to find these guys and all one has to do is look at the yellow pages. This all to well why the industry need to better support NATE!- As usual the bad apples spoil it for the rest. How about (especially in NYC),the dept of Consumer Affairs should required all techs pass a wtritten and practical test (in english) to see if they are qualified to perform this type of work.Also,lets not talk about the consumer (most of them) who want to just lowball us on repairs&installation work,or who refuse to pay for a second service call because on the 1st service call you did not change the 10 year old rusted,oozing capacitor,or slightly burned contactor (points) to prevent a future breakdown.As they all say (the consumer) “oh you were here thr 1st time,why didnt you mention it,(no ,we did you just dont want to pay for something that is working.I started in this business when i was 12,,with 37yrs experience,owning my own co for 24yrs,this will never change.it is all about the individuals integrity,honesty.They will not last long in this or any kind of work,unfortunatly,consumers will get burned,but the honest will thrive.TDLR and ACCA have done a lot of work geared to improving the quality of work delivered by HVAC contractors. These efforts are benifiting consumers of HVAC products and servicec.
When an HVAC company provides services to consumers they are designed to provide not only comfort but protection and safety. Integrity and honesty should go hand-in-hand, and must be maintained at all times. The Air Conditioning and Heating service and installation industry is suffered with a bad reputation because, .unfortunately, too many of our colleagues are dishonest…plain and simple.