For cleaning my AC/Heating vents, I was given a quote over the phone for $49.95 (includes first 10 vents) $10.00 per vent after. $15.00 for each return.
The price escalated to over $4,800.00.
3 Technicians came to my house on 4/1/08. They were very knowledgeable and came recommended by a contractor that had heard of them, but had not used them (but had met them). I thought I could trust them to do honest work.
I was home alone with my children and was constantly told there was more work necessary. We have family allergy issues and I was excited to take care of the dust and mold they showed me in the vents. He kept coming to me with additional numbers (quotes), asking me to sign and telling me he would give me a reduction. I did not fully understand what they were saying and felt pressured. The numbers were presented in such a way that I was led to believe this was an escalation of price, not a bunch of new numbers to be added together (i.E., $1500 then $1800... He was going to turn into $3300, I thought $1800 was the new number... And even that is misleading and fraudulent).
He told me he also has kids and that I must really take care of this health issue. He later told me that he even charged his own grandmother $5,000, and she was mad at him, but he said it was worth it.
When he dropped the bomb ($4,800) and then lowered it to $4,200, he said he had another 3 hours to get back home (drop off truck, drive to Brooklyn...) and wanted the check now.
I wrote the check out, not knowing what to do and feeling quite uneasy.
After they left, I spoke to a friend and looked online. When I saw over 20 filings with the BBB and found 2 on usacomplaints.com, my husband and I realized we were scammed (this should have been a several hundred dollar job). It was then that I cancelled my check and started to take action.
I wrote the company a letter, filed with the BBB and with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.
I have spoken to a lawyer who has advised me that not only was this fraud, but I may be entitled to punitive damages.
Something like this has never happened to me before and I have never even cancelled a check before.
Practices such as this by United Air Care must be stopped. This has caused much aggravation for my entire family and has left me feeling wary, untrusting and very upset.
Please help put an end to this!!!
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