Red Flags To Look For Which HVAC Salesmen Use To Rip People Off

Before a salesman or technician comes to your door, know that often problems are typically due to a lack of maintenance and can be easily repaired.

• Offering a “now or never” discount, especially on new system installs/replacements.
• Pushy, high-pressure sales (even if they seem nice enough).
• Offers that are too good to be true.
• Bait and switch.
• Asking for a deposit or up-front cash payment.
• The company sends a salesman instead of a technician.
• Talking you out of a second opinion on HVAC Services.

False System Repair Claims

• Cracked heat exchanger or leaking heat exchanger.
• Claiming your A/C refrigerant needs to be “recharged”.
• Selling more refrigerant than you actually received.
• Your family is in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning

The Discount Only Good for Today

When a salesman says “this will cost you a lot, but if you sign right now, we’ll give you 10-15% off”, you are dealing with a sales-first company.

This tactic backs you into a corner and pressures you into making a quick decision. They are afraid of you getting a second opinion, especially from a reputable repair-first HVAC company like Basset Heating.

If you hear this, simply say I’d like to get a second opinion on your HVAC repair or replacement estimate and give us a call. An honest company on your side will encourage second opinions. A dishonest company will dissuade you from doing so.

High Pressure HVAC Salesmen

If at any point a technician resorts to scare tactics to sell something on you, do not give in. Chances are, they need to scare you into buying from them now because they’re scamming you. They don’t want to allow you time to get a second opinion.

No matter the issue, you have time to get multiple opinions. Don’t let an AC technician scare you into paying for services you don’t need.

Common Scare Tactics or Phrases

• Your heat exchanger is cracked or leaking.
• Your furnace could explode at any moment.
• Your furnace could be leaking carbon monoxide.
• Anything that implies immediate danger to you or your family.

The only immediate danger is if you smell gas, or a rotten eggs smell, or see a physical fire. Even the most “dangerous” of issues isn’t bad enough to forfeit a second opinion.

HVAC Offers Too Good to be True

Companies are in business to make a profit. While most of them prioritize serving their customers as best as they can, some will cut any corners to get ahead and make a quick buck. Maintain a healthy suspicion of “free” services or too-good-to-be-true deals.

If a solicitor contacts you via telemarketing and promises a free service or a massive discount, be wary of a “catch.” Odds are, they are steering you toward buying something you never intended to shop for in the first place.

If you requested an estimate based on a promotion or special, stick to that and get a second opinion on other things they bring up.

Insist on a Written Agreement

You need a written agreement. Verbal agreements are not good enough. The least you can do is demand written proof so you may have legal recourse should a company not fulfill everything they say they’ll do.

Use your best judgement—if an offer from an air conditioning service provider sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If they aren’t willing to put it in writing, chances are they’re planning on doing something to take advantage of the situation.

Bait and Switch

This goes hand-in-hand when there’s no written agreement. You’ll agree to an offer for a top of the line furnace or air-conditioner, only to find that it’s out of stock when it comes time to install. If there’s no written agreement, there’s nothing stopping them from installing an inferior system at the same price.

Without a written agreement, other HVAC companies often run into “unexpected” and expensive complications.

Basset Heating & Air Conditioning will never charge more than the quote you received.

Don’t Agree to Up Front Cash Payments Unless You Have A Contract

Some folks will require a deposit or a 100% upfront cash payment before they start work. This is okay as long as you have a signed contract first. Verbal contracts are no good here. Make sure everyone agrees on what’s being done, what parts are being installed, and that everyone is happy with the agreement.