$560 to repair a 5 year old fridge
Possibly the most dishonest company I came across. Company would not give me a quote over the phone except that it was $80 to come over and assess the problem. If I chose to proceed, it would go towards the assessment/repair. Technician (Roman) came over chatting about his personal life for the first 40 minutes while the fridge was warming up. The fridge was unplugged when he got here. In retrospect, I realize that he didn't need this time to warm up the fridge; it was to distract me from the total amount of time he actually needed to to fix the fridge. Then he quoted me $280 to test the components. This took 5-10 minutes. I am not sure how testing the components is different than the $80 assessment I was quoted over the phone? He then quoted me another $210 for the part (self starter for the compressor). It took him 2-3 minutes to install the part. When he left, he gave me the wrapping with the part so I can throw out. I looked up the part (self starter) online and the part goes for $10. I ended up paying $560 for 15 minutes of actual work and 40 minutes of unnecessary conversation. Need I say more. Also when I pressed him about his warrantee he hesitated and said 30 days. HA! UPDATE- Six weeks later, my fridge started to act up again making funny noises. When I called, I was met with a very unfriendly response by the receptionist. A few months later, my fridge died and I ended up buying a new fridge. When I first wrote this review it was over a year ago and it still bothers me that companies like these exist out there.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $560.00
- What could this company do to improve their services?
- Be honest up front over the phone about price. Seriously $280 for testing components is crazy. It should come with the original assessment and charging $210 for a part that cost $10 if I purchase at the store is robbery.
- Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
- DO it yourself!