Spring is a popular season for air conditioning repairs. At the same time, it’s also a peak season for many AC repair scams. Below Tyler Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration LLC and water heater repair expert, shares a few tips on how you can recognize and avoid bait-and-switch scams by unscrupulous companies.
How to Recognize a Scam
Air conditioning scams come in various forms, with bait-and-switch tactics the most common. To give you a clearer picture of how these scams typically occur, it’s important to note that many of them begin with telemarketing. This means that someone will cold-call you and tell you things such as the following:
They’re offering special discounts in your area. One component of your air conditioner may be in need of immediate repair, or maybe your air conditioner has toxic mold inside the system like your neighbor’s AC does. Basically, these scammers will provide a number of reasons as to why you might need their services right away. Watch out for these people, because they’ll make it sound extremely urgent. They may also make you feel like you’re getting such a good deal that you have to agree to it “right now.”.
Afterward, they’ll offer you a deal that seems too good to be true while claiming that your air conditioner is in dire straits. They’ll also urge you to pay for the repair upfront. A reputable AC repair company will ever do this, so when you notice these signs, you should always decline or say that you need more time to think about it.
How to Avoid Getting Scammed
Here are a few simple ways that you can avoid getting scammed:
1. Research the business you’re dealing with, and thoroughly study any contracts before signing them.
2. Seek out the opinions of multiple contractors. Ideally, it’s best to have several options and compare quotes from two or more companies.
3. Stay up-to-date with your air conditioning maintenance. This way, you can be more confident about the state of your air conditioner.
Tyler provides innovative solutions for a variety of air conditioning needs. We also have expertise with cooling systems, ductless systems and water heaters. To request an estimated AC repair cost, you can call us at (203) 378-4700 or fill out our contact form.