shady heating contractor

[djpolli]

What is the name of your state? DE, I had a heating and cooling salesman and tech. from a well known co. in my area come to my house for a heat pump repair. The tech. found that (1) fuse inside was blown and (1) outside. My heating unit worked fine after the (2) new fuses were put in, a total of maybe 20 minutes, the tech was in my house. I want to replace my inside unit anyway due to it's age. I came to a deal with the salesman and gave him a $200 deposit. Included in the price was the service dispatch fee and the "labor cost" for replacing the (2) fuses. When I told some friends the price for the new unit, they thought it was a little high, so I got a second estimate from another well known co. A $1,000 cheaper for the same exact unit and same work to be done. I called the first salesman to cancel my order the next day (I have 3 business days). He asked "why did you get a second estimate?" DUH! He asked how much cheaper and when I told him, he didn't seen surprised, but said, well I will have to charge you the service charge for the call and (2) fuses replaced. This is where my question comes in, he is charging me $118 for one, $136 for another and $79 for service dispatch, is this legal $333 for 20 minutes? I can see the service charge but not the crazy price for the fuses.

 

[seniorjudge]

What is the name of your state? DE, I had a heating and cooling salesman and tech. from a well known co. in my area come to my house for a heat pump repair. The tech. found that (1) fuse inside was blown and (1) outside. My heating unit worked fine after the (2) new fuses were put in, a total of maybe 20 minutes, the tech was in my house. I want to replace my inside unit anyway due to it's age. I came to a deal with the salesman and gave him a $200 deposit. Included in the price was the service dispatch fee and the "labor cost" for replacing the (2) fuses. When I told some friends the price for the new unit, they thought it was a little high, so I got a second estimate from another well known co. A $1,000 cheaper for the same exact unit and same work to be done. I called the first salesman to cancel my order the next day (I have 3 business days). He asked "why did you get a second estimate?" DUH! He asked how much cheaper and when I told him, he didn't seen surprised, but said, well I will have to charge you the service charge for the call and (2) fuses replaced. This is where my question comes in, he is charging me $118 for one, $136 for another and $79 for service dispatch, is this legal $333 for 20 minutes? I can see the service charge but not the crazy price for the fuses.

Did you price the fuses anywhere else?

 

[JETX]

he is charging me $118 for one, $136 for another and $79 for service dispatch, is this legal $333 for 20 minutes?

Unless you had an agreement to the contrary.... yep. By not 'negotiating' his fees up front... you basically gave him a blank check for the work.
1) Pay him, then
2) File a complaint with the BBB, and
3) File a complaint with your state licensing board (if one is required), and
4) Advise your friends to not use their services in the future.