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Worst O tube award goes to... Pages: 12

Chick on Fri May 12, 2006 4:41 AM User is offlineView users profile

A guy comes into the shop with an 89 Cad DeVille. Says he's put three compressors on in the past two years. Had it professionally done, paid big bucks etc etc. Ok, I check it and find the belt to the compressor is gone, and he's using a much shorter belt which is beginning to fray. Tell him the only way I can check anything is to pull the O tube and we'll go from there..This is what I found. The top pic shows his, along with a normal O tube, the bottom pic is after I began scraping the junk off his. It was disappeaing before my eyes... Most of the screen was gone and I still don't know how I was able to pull it out. Gave him a price to "flush" the system and do the job right. He opted to "fix it himself" as it "doesn't need to be flushed, it's just another rip off"..Gonna be a hot summer for some people...



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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

NickD on Fri May 12, 2006 6:49 AM User is offline

Hope you charged him $2.50 for the diagnostic and other work you have done. I have seen sewer pipes cleaner than that. Was this guy a dentist or a doctor?

Chick on Fri May 12, 2006 7:21 AM User is offlineView users profile

No, just an idiot who will keep throwing compressors at it. I did give him a new O tube though. Wished him luck and sent him to another shop that will do the job the way he wants. Can't wait for him to come back....

Diagnositic fee: $25.00....O tube free...He has enough trouble..

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

HECAT on Fri May 12, 2006 10:54 AM User is offline

Anybody who can look at that evidence and then tell you "it does not need to be flushed" is obviously a much more knowledgeable and professional A/C technician than you. Makes me wonder why "genius" was in need of your services at all? I am sure he is at the parts store right now buying a piece of crap reman compressor and few cans of magic telling the counter guy, " I can do it better than the guy down the street that tried to rip me off talking about flushing and a new belt."

3 compressors "professionally done" must be a shop full of like "geniuses". Why didn't he go back there? Surely they would have told him it just needs a belt.

Chick, thanks for the laugh at end the week. LMAO!!!!!



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HECAT: www.hecatinc.com You support the Forum when you consider www.ackits.com for your a/c parts.

FLUSHING TECHNICAL PAPER vs2.pdf 

TRB on Fri May 12, 2006 11:07 AM User is offlineView users profile

Sad thing is I bet he has claimed a warranty on all 3 of those compressors. We had a guy here the other day that was not happy with us because we do not sell suicide charging kits. All ready had two plugged vehicles because of sealer and again both were not happy with us because of our quoted cost of the repair. Gee dude the evap and condenser are plugged with sealer and how do you think we can get working for $ 19.99! I know install ICE32 or RET2000 that will fix it!

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When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
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HECAT on Fri May 12, 2006 3:25 PM User is offline

The previous "professional shop" probably refused to work on it again as the warranty claim was denied on the 3 compressors they sent back and its a shame as they probably still don't understand why.

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HECAT: www.hecatinc.com You support the Forum when you consider www.ackits.com for your a/c parts.

FLUSHING TECHNICAL PAPER vs2.pdf 

Chick on Fri May 12, 2006 3:45 PM User is offlineView users profile

Most "professional" shops in my area are just mechanics that really don't understand the AC system enough. And most will actually do it cheaper and cheaper to keep the customer happy..They wind up losing money to. If they would just turn them away, or do idemand to do it right, the people would have to do the repairs right or suffer with no AC. I would not get involved with this guy after his comment..Just handed him the new O tube and told him good luck, I could have argued half the day with him, but I made my $25.00 for fifteen minutes work, told him what was needed, and when he refused, sent him on his way. I hope I never see that car again, because when summer hits, time is money and you waste more time trying to teach a class to some of these people and get nothing for it..But he'll find someone to put the O tube back in, change the compressor with a used one (remember, 89 car) and when it fails, that poor guy will spending more time than he made on the job doing it over and over and over.......Not me....

PS: Never got past the flush advice ...He would have dropped when I told him new accumulator too..

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

Edited: Fri May 12, 2006 at 3:47 PM by Chick

TRB on Fri May 12, 2006 4:05 PM User is offlineView users profile

I see you are still using those purple orifice tubes also.

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When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
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Chick on Fri May 12, 2006 4:30 PM User is offlineView users profile

It was handy, and as "YOU" can see it's BLUE..Not the purple you showed on your site... Which is why you went to black and white...

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

JJM on Fri May 12, 2006 5:10 PM User is offline

Chick YOU ARE NUTS!!! $25 for YOUR valuable time??? And you gave the IDIOT the O-tube (I don't care if they're cheap) for FREE too??? Are you nuts??? I hope you at least keep the refrigerant (if any) -- though knowing this guy it was probably some kind of loco mix and YOU'VE GOTTA PAY TO DISPOSE IT too boot!

YOU ARE NOT CHARGING ENOUGH -- NOT EVEN CLOSE!!! That should've been $75 BARE minimum. If you work too cheap, they think you're not good. My old man ALWAYS said, "charge 'em, they'll appreciate it more!" though he never practiced what he preached (and his son is often a fool too).

I don't care if the O-tube was falling apart. That's what was there, you're not getting the job or paid to put the new one in, so that's what should've gone back in.

I know I'm a big pr_ck, but it's one thing if you don't know or you're just plain stupid, but it's quite another when you're a pompous, ignorant, jacka_s.

I guess this is why I don't deal with the public -- preferring to stay in the back of the house.

I always love to hear "shop stories" but please, I don't want to hear another one with you charging what you did.

Joe

Chick on Fri May 12, 2006 5:26 PM User is offlineView users profile

Easy there big fella..I start, as the sign in the shop says..Minimum $25.00 diagnostic fee. But the more time I spend, the price does go up..I saw I was getting no where fast with this guy, and $25.00 for fifteen minutes work was fine with me..That is why I do not argue, I turn away (after collecting my fee) and close the door behind me. Summer is coming, and "if" you spend time arguing with these idiots, you can and will lose money. I felt in this case getting $25.00 and giving the guy the O tube was worth it to chase him from the shop...But, I am probably the most reasonable guy in the area. Most shops charge $80.00 to walk out the door..But I can't do that. Most people worry about where their next meal is coming from. So the compromise is just to be fair. The system was stone empty (wonder why) so no recovery, no refrigerant to check for leaks etc. Just pulled the O tube since I saw no belt on the compressor to begin with..thought to myself as the guy talked, this is going to be good... I am way ahead of the guy that he gets to work on the car, believe me....

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

chillin on Fri May 12, 2006 5:58 PM User is offlineView users profile

Amazing how things in this world work. People pay big money for a cup of coffee at starbucks. And wait in line. And never complain. I have learned just by listening to the pros here do it right and you do it once. flush,flush,flush. over the last two years none have needed warranty work.Maybe compressor manufacturers should require proof of purchase of flushing material? Have a great one. chillin.

Chick on Fri May 12, 2006 6:18 PM User is offlineView users profile

In the area where I live and work, more people will turn and walk out if you mention a diagnostic fee..I tell them up front, that fee is deducted from the repair should I get it..If not, I am paid for my time. Still, they want it for free..What was happneing more than I'd like to admit, is they I would look at a car and tell them what was wrong. They would then either fix it themselves or have a "friend" do it. I lost more work that way, and it took me some time to stick to the minimum diagnostic fee. Those that don't want to pay that, are not going to want to fix their car by me, so it's no loss when they turn around and walk out. Just like the owner of the 89 Cad..If I did give him a total price to fix the car, I would have to first ask if he was on heart meds, and if he took his meds that day..And I would still be cheaper than most in my area..Don't need people like that, they just waste your time. I swear if you offered to fix it for free, they would want to know what they could make on the job...???? But I also have the oppisite. people who want it done right, and will pay a fair price..Those are the people I want to work for/with..

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

JJM on Fri May 12, 2006 8:45 PM User is offline

Change the "2" in front of the "5" to at least a "7" then you won't mind dealing folks like that. At least this way, you can charge only the $25 to people who are decent, and stick it to the pompous... as I said before.

Chick, I don't think you get it, folks are charging, and GETTING, what they ask with almost no questions asked -- especially in our neck of the woods. People are just too busy, and just want the work done. Heck, I can't get anyone to step foot in my house for less than $500 to do ANYTHING, and I do shop around. Heck, I just bought one of those Roth double walled oil tanks and needed to get it installed. I bought most of the materials, fittings, pipe, nipples, dope, and so forth. Most plumbers didn't want to do the job for less than $1,000. Finally got someone to do it for $500 -- a friend of a friend no less. It took less than 3 hours.

If I didn't know anything about MVAC, I would GLADLY pay a top notch, honest, and likeable guy like you -- no questions asked. You know how many people think they're getting ripped off (and many are) at the auto repair shop? Heck, over at BAT a little while ago, there was a post where they wanted to charge this guy $1,100 for a set of cooling fans for his Lincoln. My cost from Ford was like $400, and how long would it take to put it in, 1/2 hour or so? $1,100???

You should see the RO's I see at the dealerships for really silly services. You'd be hard pressed to find an RO for less than $400 -- many are WELL north of that.

Chick, you ain't getting any younger -- gotta start thinking about your golden years. Do you want to be doing this in between getting your SS checks?

Though you can never get paid what you're truly worth, you can at least get closer. They're takin' advantage of you.

Just my humble opinion...

Joe

JJM on Fri May 12, 2006 8:50 PM User is offline

Just to add, I'm trying to get a landscaper to fix the lawn in my yard that the tree removal guys ($2,350 by the way, and that was cheap) made a mess of (which happens on a big job like this). Even though I know they're hiring illegals to do the work and probably paying them $50 a day, they still want around $1,500 to fix this postage stamp sized lawn. Again, I'm in NYC, we don't have a lot of lawn like you Jersey guys!

I know, it's crazy, everyone else is charging -- you might as well too.

Joe

Chick on Fri May 12, 2006 9:07 PM User is offlineView users profile

I hear you Joe, but I'm already semi-retired..Work the summers only.. You don't have to remind me that I'm getting older.. I know that every morning when I drag my sorry Arse out of bed.. I work now because I still enjoy it, but learned a long time ago not to haggle. My price is what it is, and I can turn and walk away fast. What always got me and still does, is a guy will come into my buddies junk yard ask for a piece for their car, he'll give them a price..Say $50.00 they will stand there and argue for him to drop his price to "$20.00". You really get tired after a while and ask them..If you can go into "ANY" store and go to the register, let them scan whatever it is you boguht, then argue them down..bring the receipt that you paid less than the price marked, we'll give this to you for the $20.00..For some reason the auto repair business in our area has gone to the dogs..All these people driving hugh SUV's and won't spend a dime to fix them..Mostely lease of course.. They will spend 3,000 on chrome wheels and tires, but not $125.00 for a vac/charge..I really feel like throwing rocks at all the "newer" cars that drive by with all their windows rolled down..But, let them sweat...

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

NickD on Sun May 14, 2006 6:22 AM User is offline

Don't know what the rest of this 89 DeVille looks like, but with an AC system like that can't be worth very much, my 92 is still in pretty top condition and everything works, took it to a Caddy dealer and learned it was only worth 900 bucks on a trade in, so this 89 can only be worth a fraction of that.

Must be difficult for this guy to pay for a repair job that would cost a lot more than what is car is worth. With budget cuts, even having problems selling a $5,000.00 repair bill on a system that would cost 1/2 million to replace. Last year, took the county board three months to decide to finally go ahead even with the knowledge that this new all microprocessor controlled system is loaded with bugs the manufacturer isn't willing to correct and doesn't do a darn thing more in terms of function that the old system does, when working.

Maybe I am in the wrong business, landscapers around here want $2.50 each to bury a 69 cent landscaping brick, but seem to have plenty of business, hooked up an old blade and chain to my electric chain saw, put a pair of vise grips on the blade for a depth gauge and cut two slots in the grass where it was easy to pull up the sod and dropped the bricks in. Looks very nice and a form of exercise. Had another tree that needed to come down, neighbor had a tree trimmer there all day, have no idea what kind of bill my neighbor got, but this guy wanted 500 bucks just to make one cut that wouldn't have taken him more than five minutes as he had a bucket on his truck and was near the road. For 500 bucks, borrowed a 32 foot ladder, and took me about 20 minutes to hand cut the top off, wouldn't dare use a chain saw up there that close to my face. I am not paying anyone that kind of money but guess many are.

Karl Hofmann on Sun May 14, 2006 7:15 PM User is offlineView users profile

Chick,

I'm afraid that I have to agree with Joe. Charge what you are worth and stand by it, if they dont want to pay, then suggest that they go elsewhere. If you end up with less customers, then your profits will still be higher, wear and tear on your equipment will be less and you will have even more time to do an even better job than you already do.

It is a fact that customers come to you because they need you, not because they want to give you money. Many DIYers will do their own work, some of them will make a complete pigs ear of the job, and need to visit you, they thought that they knew better and screwed the job up, now they expect you to save their bacon, charge them because you not only need to fix the original fault but also figure out what the hell they have done too!

On a diagnosis, you dont really charge for what you do, but for what you know, how can you place a value on many years of knowlage?

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Never knock on deaths door... Ring the doorbell and run away, death really hates that!

Chick on Sun May 14, 2006 8:50 PM User is offlineView users profile

Yes, I do charge "enough" for my work. As I have said, it's a minimum of $25.00. fifteen minutes for $25.00 = $100.00 per hour. Not that I charge $100.00 per hour (I'd have an empty shop the whole summer) but I do get paid for work I do, believe me....

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

MrBillPro on Sun May 14, 2006 9:05 PM User is offlineView users profile

Quote
Originally posted by: Karl Hofmann


On a diagnosis, you dont really charge for what you do, but for what you know.

Karl, did you mistake this place for the Doctors forum?

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Don't take life seriously... Its not permanent.

chillin on Sun May 14, 2006 9:38 PM User is offlineView users profile

Maybe I'm still very green but being able to provide a service that is fair and is done right gives a certain value to my life.Yes I exspect to get paid.In my area no need to advertise when people know you shoot straight and do it right they come lookin.thanks for all the help on this forum especially you chick.

chris142 on Wed May 17, 2006 9:37 PM User is offline

I get $65 to diagnos a system. I'm the highest in town.

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