At my request Steve the service technician from Joseph S. Maginn, Mechanical Contractor, arrived at my residence to troubleshoot my central air conditioner for no cooling and to return it back into service. He determined that the system needed freon and the compressor was worn.
In order to place the system back in service, Steve recommended that a super boost relay needed to be installed along with a change of contactor. The system then needed to be charged with freon. Exact prices were never given when the service technician was asked except, beforehand during the trouble shooting that compressor might have to be changed for about $500 or an entire replacement of the unit of about $3500. We both agreed that boost relay and change of contactor was a solution in lieu of a large price of replacing the compressor or entire unit.
The repairs were made and the system was returned to service. The bill was for the amount of $1,320. I thought this was excessive, since the entire system was replaced back in 1993 for $1500, the system is checked every other year, and what was quoted by Steve for the compressor and complete unit. The parts totaled $970 and $350 was for labor and tax. The bill was paid in full with a check.
After discussions with a HVAC professional the following day, calling other HVAC companies for prices, and research on the internet, I discovered that the parts charges by Joseph S. Maginn were outrageously high. The super boost coil that I was charged $350, actually cost $18. The contactor that I was charged $160 actually cost $16. The 12 pounds of freon that I was charged $460, at $38.50 a pound, actually cost between $50-$150. This was in addition to the $300 I paid for 2 hours of labor. This was not profit margin markup on the parts, but price gouging.
I have no problem with the labor charge, because that was told to me up front and I feel that it was fair and reasonable. Might seem high to most, but operation and maintenance of a business need to be built into these rates, but not price gouging on parts.
I tried to get in touch with the owner, Joseph Maginn, and left numerous messages with the receptionist to advise him that an error on the parts costs was made on my bill and to call me back, but I never received a call back. I later found out from my bank that the owner Joseph Maginn went into his bank with my check 1/2 hour after my first call and walked out with cash in his pocket. He didn't call me, he didn't deposit the check, he just cashed my check and I never heard from him again. His actions showed that I was not the first that questioned his business practices, nor will I be his last.
Are these the actions of a reputable business owner? I think not!
0 comments