I repaired a leak in a 10 year old Carrier unit this morning. 2 other companies told him it couldn't be repaired and he needed a new system. It took me 2 hours and 5.5 lbs of R22 refrigerant and a LL filter drier. I charged him $1,200.00 and he was as happy as a clam. I'm still using R22 that I bought for $400.00 a drum years ago. It's incredibly easy to make good money and be honest at the same time in this industry.
I did a Trane R-22 system, upgraded the Air Handler, LLFD, 5lbs or MO99 and a happy customer and two new leads. I'm told by them that the other CO's said R22 was illegal, or the system needed to be upgraded to 410, new everything for $13k.
My company has made the decision to not use R22 any more. WE don't top systems off. And don't use substitutions at all. We do tell our customers its not illegal to use R22. But if we do it will be expensive fix. Even if its a leak or just replacing a evap coil
@@smacleod69 I believe the cost for the new A2L systems will encourage more people to lean towards repairs in the next couple of years. I repaired a leak in an older but in very good condition Lennox R22 unit and used R422B and it seemed to work about as well as it did with R22. A lot of people can't afford new equipment everytime they have a breakdown. I never blend but I'm not opposed to replacing R22 with R422B when most or all the refrigerant is lost.
You should charge what it would cost you to replace that r22 the today not what you paid for it a year ago. If you focus on service you need to make what it's going to cost you to replace your inventory or you will be eating all the cost of inflation.
Commission work can take a honest and make them into a dishonest person very fast. I've never worked for a company who pays by commission. Some technicians like the commission work, I like going home and get a good night sleep.
I provide my customers the level of service they ask for, the options available, the pro's and con's and you can go wrong. It comes with dealing with people. There is a lot of room across this spectrum of service. Leave the decision up to them and collect what you think is a fair price. If the customer just needs it to work and you don't agree or you feel like its not worth your time or will be a headache, then just walk. You're not obligated to do anything you're not being paid for. Someone will be by to give them what they ask for.
A friend of mine - an elderly lady - had her 10 year old 4t package unit repaired. She was told that it had a leak and should be replaced. She opted to have it topped off with refrigerant. They quoted her $20K for a new unit. This is not a high cost of living area. I don't know how these guys live with themselves.
I can relate to the pressures of no ac calls. Not enough time to do an appropriate job. However, I remember customers being mad about the final bill. Tough balance between being a technician and customer relations.
Very well said Zack. It is important the customer pay for a full service. I always check operation after a repair and quickly check some other basic components, but if they want a coil cleaning, a drain line flush, and a thorough inspection, they need to pay for it.
I couldn't agree more with repairing units when customers need a repair and do not have funds for replacement. I offer both and explain why replacing should be done, but never last choice. I've always said 97% of units are repairable. I've worked on units that are older than I've been in the trade. Some people just need repairs now, no time to wait. Being honest with customer buys more business, one lie and they'll be done with you. Repairs mean more business down the road, replacing means no good business for a while unless you offer PM.
I have a sad story that sounds almost identical to the first scenario. It happened to my neighbor and I was unable to reach them in time. There's a new condenser outside 🥴
That is what i would describe as a sales tech. the first tech is a dishonest tech. Ive sold systems on blown capacitors because i inspected the indoor unit and found the blower motors leaking grease. I once sold a full system on a call where the home didnt have any power, and I checked the heat exchanger anyway and found a crack in every cell. We sold the AC bc I told the customer life span is 12-15. A service tech is someone who thinks every system can go 20-25 years with repairs and only fixes the immediate problem. Because if you dont believe that systems can generally last to 20 years and that to get the system back up to par by fixing all the installation mistakes would be too costly, then of course Im pushing a replacement. I suppose if every call I went to had proper air filtration, no air leaks, properly sized systems and ducts, things done to manufacturer specs, etc than i would say 20 years a system. But I almost never see this.
I believe even salemen can be ethical if they choose to be. I recently got into sales and have already talked people out of some rip off calls. Im more concern with being able to sleep at night and create a good customer base that can trust me to give a honest opinion than I am getting rich off people. I make enough to aupport my family without having to rip people off.
I repaired a leak in a 10 year old Carrier unit this morning. 2 other companies told him it couldn't be repaired and he needed a new system. It took me 2 hours and 5.5 lbs of R22 refrigerant and a LL filter drier. I charged him $1,200.00 and he was as happy as a clam. I'm still using R22 that I bought for $400.00 a drum years ago. It's incredibly easy to make good money and be honest at the same time in this industry.
I did a Trane R-22 system, upgraded the Air Handler, LLFD, 5lbs or MO99 and a happy customer and two new leads. I'm told by them that the other CO's said R22 was illegal, or the system needed to be upgraded to 410, new everything for $13k.
My company has made the decision to not use R22 any more. WE don't top systems off. And don't use substitutions at all. We do tell our customers its not illegal to use R22. But if we do it will be expensive fix. Even if its a leak or just replacing a evap coil
@@smacleod69 I believe the cost for the new A2L systems will encourage more people to lean towards repairs in the next couple of years. I repaired a leak in an older but in very good condition Lennox R22 unit and used R422B and it seemed to work about as well as it did with R22. A lot of people can't afford new equipment everytime they have a breakdown. I never blend but I'm not opposed to replacing R22 with R422B when most or all the refrigerant is lost.
@@seroxide I agree with you on the repairs. Equipment prices are outta hand.
You should charge what it would cost you to replace that r22 the today not what you paid for it a year ago. If you focus on service you need to make what it's going to cost you to replace your inventory or you will be eating all the cost of inflation.
Commission work can take a honest and make them into a dishonest person very fast. I've never worked for a company who pays by commission. Some technicians like the commission work, I like going home and get a good night sleep.
No less than $450. New cap + service call in NY and still in business companies in the area.
I provide my customers the level of service they ask for, the options available, the pro's and con's and you can go wrong. It comes with dealing with people. There is a lot of room across this spectrum of service. Leave the decision up to them and collect what you think is a fair price.
If the customer just needs it to work and you don't agree or you feel like its not worth your time or will be a headache, then just walk. You're not obligated to do anything you're not being paid for. Someone will be by to give them what they ask for.
I agree 100% brother
A friend of mine - an elderly lady - had her 10 year old 4t package unit repaired. She was told that it had a leak and should be replaced. She opted to have it topped off with refrigerant. They quoted her $20K for a new unit. This is not a high cost of living area. I don't know how these guys live with themselves.
We have a local company that always offers a free furnace with purchase of an ac. They just charge twice as much for the ac.
I am always honest sometimes to a fault. More time then not that honesty pays me back ten fold in a good way. Good video grizzly Adam’s aka Zach.
If you are not being completely honest with the customer, then you are what gives our industry a bad name.
I can relate to the pressures of no ac calls. Not enough time to do an appropriate job. However, I remember customers being mad about the final bill. Tough balance between being a technician and customer relations.
The price is the price you can't take care of your family with thank you's.
Very well said Zack. It is important the customer pay for a full service. I always check operation after a repair and quickly check some other basic components, but if they want a coil cleaning, a drain line flush, and a thorough inspection, they need to pay for it.
I couldn't agree more with repairing units when customers need a repair and do not have funds for replacement. I offer both and explain why replacing should be done, but never last choice. I've always said 97% of units are repairable. I've worked on units that are older than I've been in the trade. Some people just need repairs now, no time to wait. Being honest with customer buys more business, one lie and they'll be done with you. Repairs mean more business down the road, replacing means no good business for a while unless you offer PM.
Keep on keepin on brother 🤘🏼
I’ve always done right by my customers and viewers and that is reciprocated. Some people take the whole “overhead” excuse too far imho
I have a sad story that sounds almost identical to the first scenario. It happened to my neighbor and I was unable to reach them in time. There's a new condenser outside 🥴
I will look for that "Sales Tech" video
That is what i would describe as a sales tech. the first tech is a dishonest tech. Ive sold systems on blown capacitors because i inspected the indoor unit and found the blower motors leaking grease. I once sold a full system on a call where the home didnt have any power, and I checked the heat exchanger anyway and found a crack in every cell. We sold the AC bc I told the customer life span is 12-15.
A service tech is someone who thinks every system can go 20-25 years with repairs and only fixes the immediate problem. Because if you dont believe that systems can generally last to 20 years and that to get the system back up to par by fixing all the installation mistakes would be too costly, then of course Im pushing a replacement. I suppose if every call I went to had proper air filtration, no air leaks, properly sized systems and ducts, things done to manufacturer specs, etc than i would say 20 years a system. But I almost never see this.
More reasons to have service tech separately from accounting and sales, but that goes other way as well.. where quality suffers.
I believe even salemen can be ethical if they choose to be. I recently got into sales and have already talked people out of some rip off calls. Im more concern with being able to sleep at night and create a good customer base that can trust me to give a honest opinion than I am getting rich off people. I make enough to aupport my family without having to rip people off.
Well said!
Crooked techs might make more money at first but they will always lose in the long run.
No, unless they have just the right calls everyday
Truth. 👍👍
He becomes a plumber, unfortunately 😅.