Advance Mobile Home Heating & Cleaning

Description of Work: Approximately the 3rd week in March, the electric furnace in our modular home quit working. My husband decided this job was more than he could handle, so we contacted Advance Mobile Home Heating and Cooling. My husband, Russell, spoke to Eddie Barnes. A day was set up for Mr. Barnes to come out to our home to see what it would take to replace the furnace motor. A day or so later, Mr. Barnes arrived at our home and after a cursory inspection of the furnace and the new motor we had, related it appeared we would need a completely new heating system. Mr. Barnes then asked if we were having air conditioning issues because we have several window units in the house and I stated we were. Mr. Barnes related he could also replace the central air system. I asked him to call my husband and explain everything to him since I wanted to make sure my husband received the same information as I had. Mr. Barnes called Russell and arrangements were made to have Mr. Barnes do the work needed. An estimate of $4000.00 for a complete system was given. Mr. Barnes advised us that he did not have a furnace in stock because "it was late in the heating season" but it would only take a week or so to get one in. A week or two later, Mr. Barnes was supposed to start working on the replacement of the air conditioning and heating system. My husband set up a time and date with Mr. Barnes to start the work since Russell wanted to be home while the work was taking place. This is when the problems started. Mr. Barnes didn't show up and didn't call. We attempted to call him, but couldn't get in touch with him. No calls were returned and even though several messages with all of our phone numbers were left for Mr. Barnes, he would not return calls. My husband and I then attempted to drive to the location listed in the phone book, only to discover that the address is a residence, not a business. On the 14th of May, (approximately six weeks after we had initially contacted Mr. Barnes) I finally got in touch with him by phone. Mr. Barnes stated his wife had been sick and he had been tied up with her. I told him I was sorry to hear that and asked him about coming to do the work on my home. He then stated that even though "money was money" he did not want to do the work on my home "because of all the animals" we have in our home. He further stated he couldn't warranty a furnace in a place "with all those animals. I explained to him the dogs that were in the house when he came to do the initial estimate were only inside because of the inclement weather and normally they were outside. He also told me the reason our furnace had probably quit working was because of "all the animals" - the furnace is approximately 18 years old. I asked him if that was the case, why didn't he tell me that when he was out here initially or at least why didn't he call me and tell me that instead of not returning calls or messages. Mr. Barnes then told me he "figured we would figure it (that he didn't want the work) when he didn't return the calls" Mr. Barnes then stated he should have called us, but figured we would find someone else anyway. The feeling that I got from Mr. Barnes is he also thought I was stupid and I would believe him when he told me the other furnace quite working because of "the animals" I am now almost two months without a heating system, mostly because Mr. Barnes didn't see his way clear to return phone messages and let us know he wasn't going to do the work, especially after we had set a date for him to start.. I am just glad we didn't give him a deposit.