IT'S NOT JUST ME! HOORAY!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals.

Somehow I didn't think it was just me with bad contractor Karma!! :) I guess "Hooray" might not be really an appropriate sentiment but I really am glad it's not just me. If you have had a crazy contractor experience, please feel free to share it with me. If you don't mind, I will post it to this blog with you as my "guest blogger."

My friend, June B., has had a very interesting and recent HVAC (Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning) contractor experience including the involvement of multiple potential "specialists" who have offered varied and interesting possible resolutions! Her story follows:

"I got a big laugh out of your 'Contractor' story. I want to tell you about my problem in the big city. My air conditioning recently started acting as if it had a mind of its own. I called A/C Co. No. 1 who came right out and spent almost 2 hours looking for the problem. He mentioned a new circuit board ($400+) but was not sure. He finally decided I had programmed the thermostat wrong. That visit only cost $60 and didn't fix anything. My next call was to a national A/C Co. No. 2. A technician came out and spent 20 min. assessing the problem. He would also put in a new circuit board, but doing that would necessitate a new fan and while we were there it would be smart to replace the furnace - all of which he could do for a mere $7000. I thanked him and called A/C Co. No. 3. I have now been 3 days without air conditioning in Houston, Tex. This one came with a briefcase and was dressed in a suit. I knew I was in trouble. After his examination, he told me there was nothing wrong with the circuit board, that the coils were leaking freon and the coils would have to be replaced immediately to fix the problem ($2700). By now I am very hot and thoroughly confused, so I called my daughter to see what to do. She called around the neighborhood for a 4th A/C Co. and we found an independent who owned his own company. He came out on day 4 and confirmed that the coils were leaking freon. He also said there was nothing wrong with the circuit board and that the furnace should be good for another 7 years. He filled up the unit with gas and said it should last through the summer, but he would replace the coils for about $900. Total to him $480 so far. Exactly 8 days later, the unit quit completely. The last A/C Co. No. 4 came back out (no charge) and tinkered with it again and it has been running 5 days. I have my fingers crossed. The $64 dollar question is, what should I do? Life is not easy, but I now know a great deal more about how air conditioning works. We're all in this together."

Well... I guess it can always be worse. A lack of air conditioning in April through at least October here in the south (whether Texas, Louisiana, or any other Gulf of Mexico bordering state!) is tantamount to a fish finding itself in the middle of a desert. You know you're going to die... you just wish it would come quickly!!!

So, my Blogging Pals... let me hear from you if you have a nightmare to share. :) While I hope you don't, I feel as though you might.

Until next post...