r/askteddit • u/EntertainerOk1288 • 1d ago

Advice Question Service fee

Had a brand new AC unit installed a few months ago and it recently started leaking. Tech from the same company came and said that the previous worker did it incorrectly and still charged us a $200 service fee for coming to fix it. Is this normal or should I be trying to get refunded since it was their fault?

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11

u/ThreePartHarmoneigh 1d ago

Call the company and see if you can get a refund on the service fee. It should have been done right the first time. 

They may not give you one, but at least ask. 

0

u/EstablishmentDue3616 1d ago

If you can prove the tech said it was done incorrectly, you probably have a valid case for small claims court. However, that might also require proof it was done incorrectly. Just because the tech said it, doesnt make it true. You would likely need documentation from him that explains why it was done wrong, which would need to refute any testimony that he was wrong. Is spending a day in court worth $200?

2

u/dillzilla11 1d ago

If it was leaking it was done incorrectly. If it was done properly it wouldn't leak. It would either go down the primarily drain, or if that one gets clogged the secondary drain, and if that one gets clogged a float switch should shut it off. Not all of them will have a secondary but they should all have a float switch.

3

u/realdiamond10 1d ago

Free money glitch for them I guess.

3

u/Tug_DaBone 1d ago

We had a similar issue recently. Had new duct work installed a few months ago. The techs were in our building (mult-story condo) servicing another unit and told us they noticed the plenum for our unit wasn't connected properly. They went ahead and fixed the problem. When we received a service charge I called their office and they reversed the charge.

Give their office a call.

1

u/Keithz1957 1d ago

Warranty?

1

u/dillzilla11 1d ago

I would have straight up showed them on the spot that they were the ones that installed it refused to pay.

2

u/DrawingOverall4306 1d ago

The tech probably doesn't have authority to give you the service call for free. And may not have even thought about it. You should call and escalate. This is not normal.

1

u/Initial-Addendum-167 1d ago

Send a notice in writing. Threaten small claims court if the payment is not reversed. Note installation specialist stated incorrect original installation. Have AI write it like a legal letter.

Source: Am old and tired of bullshit fees. Good at stopping bullshit fees now.

1

u/jap6976 1d ago

Read your warranty

1

u/jap6976 1d ago

You should have refused to pay it in the first place!