Allen's Heating & Air, Inc.

Overall, having used this service contractor on two prior calls, I wasn't expecting the new "Flat Rate" or "Up-Front" Billing scheme or practice that apparently has been initiated at Allen's Heating & Air.
  The service call, overall, went ok.  The Technician quoted an up-front price for his pending tasks. I wasn't well-versed in the sealing process, but I trusted the Technician to be giving me honest and straight information and a reasonable quote for the work.  I might add, that I was familiar with EPA refrigerant considerations and changes over the last 10 years and knew the cost of these gases could have a wide range of prices, although I didn't know specifics.  I was quoted $225.00 for the sealing job and $250.00 for as much as 3 pounds of R22 gas prior to starting the work.  I was told the first pound of R22 was almost $90.00.  I approved the work to be done.
  The Technician attached the 3 ounce can of sealant to the condenser and in a matter of approximately 4 minutes, the sealing job was done.
  Using a Fieldpiece SRS2 Digital scale (a very accurate and reliable tool for actually measuring the amount of Refrigerant used) the Technician injected 2 pounds of R22 into the system.
  We reviewed the new meter readings and checked the cold air now pumping out of the interior registers. I asked to see the Nu-Calgon sealant can and made some notes. I wrote the Technician a check and he was gone.
  As an old electrical contractor, I was incredibly curious about the costs of this operation.  I'll bet you can imagine my surprise after making a few calls and internet inquiries that Nu-Calgon Easy Seal only costs about $50 a can.  And the R22 Refrigerant can be purchased for $9 to $10 dollars a pound...and that's to me, not as a contractor.
  So let's add t up: #1 Diagnostic/Trip Fee @ $89.00 + 3 oz. Nu-Calgon Easy Seal @ $225.00 + 2 lbs R22 Refrigerant @ $154.38 = $468.38 which is what I paid the Technician.
  I called the owner latter that day and finally reached her again the following morning for a review of the bill. Tracy Allen told me that since the prices were disclosed up front, that they were correct and would stand as is.
  Ok fine, my mistake. But I expressed the fact that this charges were a serious gouge as far as I could see. Let's add it up again: #1 Diagnostic/Trip fee (should include the first half-hour of service I would think) @ $89.00. They wouldn't tell me the hourly rate. so let's say it's $75.00 an hour time 0.5 hours for the second half-hour of service = $37.50.  Let's be generous and allow a 50% markup on materials and say the Easy Seal should sell for $75.00 and 2 lbs of R22 might have sold for $40.00.  Add all that up and it comes to $241.50
  So ultimately, I suppose it's buyer beware.  I should've put the brakes on when I sensed early on something wasn't right. But in any event, this is my last time with Allen's Heating & Air.

I HAD A NEW AIR CONDITIONER PUT IN AND ONE OF THE PARTS INSIDE WAS MESSED UP. THEY HAD TO COME BACK AND REPAIR IT. THEY WERE RIGHT ON THE BALL, AS SOON AS I CALLED THEM THEY HAD SOMEONE OUT HERE. THEY ARE VERY RESPONSIBLE.