AHS Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning - No Longer in Business

On the 6th of January 2014, having my furnance out of order, I called 403-299-0299, asking for replacing my igniter, which I found as being burnt. The operator informed me that I have to pay 79 CAD for the call plus 129 CAD for 1 hour working of their technician (they do not charge fractions of hour) plus the price of the replacement part. I, in good faith, agreed with that, without asking what is the price for the igniter.

The technician came to my house within 3 hours from my call and he changed the igniter in 15 minutes. My daughter let him in, since I could not leave my work place. I was happy with the prompt job done but I was surprised when my daughter called me and said that the price charged for the igniter was 175 CAD. An igniter model LH33ZS004 costs between 22-35 CAD so I was overcharged with at least 140 CAD. And not taking into account that Alberta Furnance Cleaning is buying those igniters in bulk quantities, meaning that the price might be even lower.

I called again 403-299-0299 and spoke to the operator. She could not tell me what is the price of the replaced igniter and said that if I signed the bill, I actually agreed with the price and there is nothing that she can do. I asked her to transfer me to her supervisor but she answered that the supervisor cannot do more than she can. I insisted to speak to her supervisor and to clarify what those 140 CAD have been charged for, but she said that he is not available at the moment. I asked her to inform her supervisor that I am unhappy and I expect a phone call from him until the next day, to clarify the issue. No one from Alberta Furnance Cleaning called me so far.

My complaint actually refers to the hidden costs of Alberta Furnance Cleaning. I do agree to pay all the costs and fees that I have been informed in advance about. I do agree to pay all the reasonable costs for the parts. I do agree to name these 140 CAD as an "emergency fee", since they were so prompt in solving my problem, if they tell me in advance that I have to pay this fee. But I do not agree to pay 140 CAD extra for a spare part, just because "you cannot buy this part unless you are an authorised contractor", as the technician said. As a matter of fact, I actually can buy it. Since Internet was invented, we have access to everything and, the most important of all, we all have access to information.

I was charged $200.00 for a programable thermostat. Just the thermostat not the labor or tax etc. Later I looked online and could not find the exact same model selling for any more than about $60.00! When I called the manager of the company to inquire about the huge mark up I was told It was buyer beware and they could charge what they wanted. I had previously had a washable furnace filter installed which I now see was double the price of buying it at a store.So BUYER BEWARE!!