Appliance Repairman

I called to repair a retractable downdraft vent for a KitchenAid induction cook-top. The first technician arrived and told me that he could not repair it and that it would require two technicians, because the unit needed to be removed in order to fix it. The first service call fee of $80 was waived, but I was then required prepay $380 + tax ($429.40) for the follow-up visit based on his assessment.

When the two technicians visited the next day, it took exactly 20 minutes of diagnostics for the lead technician to conclude that the electronic control board was shorted and needed to be replaced. the other technician stood around checking his phone. I was then quoted $843.56 + tax for the replacement part. He wanted me to prepay half that amount on the spot. I deferred, asking him to have someone call me with details about how long this would take to complete. I then called KitchenAid directly and found out that this replacement part is available for $402. I called The Appliance Repair Guys and cancelled any followup service call and asked for a refund of $380 (+ tax) but said that I was willing to accept paying the initial $80 service fee. So a refund of $300 + tax was acceptable. I based this on an expectation that the first technician should have been able to diagnose such a simple problem on the first visit. Had he done so, I would have paid the $80 and deferred any additional repair costs in favour of a new unit which will cost $1450, almost exactly the amount of the repair and replacement part ($1400)

The company refused to issue a credit, suggesting that I was fully aware of the conditions.