It's a cliché that rings true: There's no such thing as a free lunch. The total bill from companies that offer a "free service call with repair" is often higher than from companies that play it straight.FFor the "Free Service Call" contractor, padding the bill is inevitable because of scenarios like this: What if the problem with your furnace is just a tripped rest button caused by a windy day? (We've serviced furnaces with the exact problem many times over the years.)

If the contractor says the service call is free with repair, he'll diagnose the problem for free, but will then charge you for pushing the button. So much for that free service call! These free service call contractors avoid those conflicts easily. All they have to do is condemn an expensive part, install a new one, push the button while you're not looking, and you're none the wiser.

THE FREE

SERVICE CALL

(with repair)

Don’t fall for theother guys’ gimmicks!

In these parts, an experienced service technician costs $35 or more an hour to employ. Throw in other overhead costs, and it becomes obvious that a cheap $49 service call isn't enough to cover the cost of sending a qualified technician to your home. (What $49 will get you is arrecently paroled convict that got his skills in work rehab. Do you want to risk him doing something fairly expensive to your air conditioner whether you need it or not?)

Proponents of these cheap service calls say it's a loss leader (a product or service sold at a loss to attract a customer.) We don't think so. What appears to be a loss leader in this trade is often a form of bait and switch. CCan you get an honest diagnosis on the cheap? Maybe. However, without a strong referral from a trusted source, you’re playing a numbers game. Calling someone out strictly because their service call fee is the lowest is a great way to turn those odds against you.

THE CHEAP

SERVICE CALL

RELIANTAIRCONDITIONING.COM

cheap or even wrong parts for things you can't see while the more experienced worker might insist on quality all the way. If that scenario were true of all cars, then you'd worry less about which brand to buy and more about thedealer you're buying from.RReplace cars in that analogy with heaters and air conditioners, and that's exactly how this trade works. A good installation is all about the contractor first and the parts second. Find the best contractor. Then work with the brands that he or she sells. WWith any heating & air company, you are buying a service first, and a product second. The best and most expensive equipment you can buy will perform horribly if installed by a lousy contractor. Conversely, the budget-friendly equipment you can buy will also perform well if installed by a good contractor. At Reliant Air Conditioning, our installers are all factory trained on proper installation methods. They're not just seasonal help either, they've been with us for years.

Consider this: you can buy a Honda Accord from any dealer and get the same quality car. All Accords come off the same assembly line as a finished product. Now imagine if Honda shipped Accords as a kit that the dealer has toaassemble. If they did, then the Accord from one dealer might not be anything like the Accord from another. One dealer might hire an entry-level technician for $15 an hour to assemble their cars, while another might hire an assembly expert for $45 an hour. The first worker might specify

Installation

is Key,Not Brand

Don’t Let SHADY

AC Companies

Take Advantage

Of you!

same-day service calls often, but naturally, it's an impossible promise to keep 100% of the time. As a result, they will say that it's free if they fall behind on their schedule. The "free" part is referring to the service fee -- you're paying for the repairs regardless. However, when you're charging $250 an hour plus 500% markup on parts, who cares about the lousy service fee?

The corporate hustlers in this trade have turned to Madison Avenue for the answers. They've studied consumer behavior and have learned how to push your buttons. They know what you want to hear. They frivolously promise anything andeverything if only you'll call, and they do so convincingly.

Same-day service is just one of many things they promise, and quite often it's a promise they can indeed keep. We do

On Time Or

It's Free

WHY CHOOSE RELIANT?

USE OUR CHECKLIST

BELOW TO FIND OUT!

When the technician is getting 10-12% of every dollar you pay them on that service call, it breeds dishonesty. An even bigger problem is that technicians at thosecommission-based companies are required to generate a certain amount of revenue per call, or they'll get fired! At Reliant Air Conditioning, we do things a little differently. Our technicians don't work on commission, and we have no revenue quotas for our technicians.

We've all seen the ABC News sting on AC companies: the first company rigged a house with a simple broken wire (which should have been a simple repair), but inevitably, technicians from 6 companies tried to swindle a poor lady out of hundreds of dollars in phony repairs. Why doesthis happen in our industry? Problem number one is those technicians are on commission.

Technicians

on Commission

Call on someone who says they'll give you something fornothing, and it usually won't work out for you. Workingafter-hours for no charge is essentially saying you'll givethem something for nothing. You'll typically face one of two scenarios: YYou call and hear the following: "That's correct. We don’t charge extra for after-hours service. Unfortunately, we're booked until Monday at 9 AM. How does this work for you?"

OR YYou might actually get someone to show up at your home at some unreasonable hour for that amazing price of $49, but it doesn't really matter if the boss is paying his man over time with the markup fees he's charging you. It's the same as the free service call myth - they're still charging $250 an hour plus 500% markup on parts to cover their overtime costs.

No Charge for

After-Hours

Service

Questions to Ask and Evaiuate the Contractor #2 #3 I

l. Is the company fully licensed{class A), insured and state certified? YES

2. Is the company a drug free workforce - Hair test done by 3rd partyYES

company to insure they are a drug free workforce?

3. Does the company use Workercheck to confirm backgrounds forYES

all employees?

4. Will the company provide references to you upon request? YES

5. Is the company on Angie's list and referred by the BBB? YES

6. Has the company been in business over 30 years? YES

7. Does the company have NA TE certified technicians -YES

passing the industry standards for knowledge and quality?

8. Does the company have true 24 hour emergency service? YES

9. Does the company offer you a wide range of choices in productsYES

or just the ones they promote?

10. Did the company fully evaluate your home's air duct system to

insure proper airflow and even temperature? YES

11. Did they make ductwork recommendations if necessary? YES

12. Does the company use a quality installation checklist? YES

13. Does the company pull all permits & perform work up to currentYES

code?

14. Does the company pay their installers & service technicians by the YES

hour, not on commission?

15. Does the experience of the installers who will be in your home YES

exceed 10 years or more ?

16. Does the company have a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee? YES

17. Will the company guarantee in WRITING to you, a completequality evaluation of the installation and walk-you through YES each detail of your new system to insure 100% Satisfaction?

RELIANT

RELIANTAIRCONDITIONING.COM1-877-YOUR-HERO

TRUST RELIANT AIR CONDITIONING.WE’VE BEEN GIMMICK FREE SINCE 1983.

Why? Customer service is an attitude, a strong willed commitment to do what is right for the customer and deliver on the promises made.

We expect our team at Reliant to WOW you! Meeting your expectations is good; exceeding your expectations is great. We want to be GREAT!

We have spent years honing our customer service practices, and we take great pride inour workforce not just for the craftsmanship but also for their customer serviceattitude. You could have paid less for a lesser combination of products, installationqquality, and company.

Our goal is to deliver the Best Value; a combination of a great service company, great people, with pride in workmanship and a fanatical attitude towards customer service. You deserve it! Use the questions to make the best decision for you and we hope to serve you for many, many years to come!

Not all service companies are created equal.