Don't hire a friend

tim smith

> If he's a professional and proud of his work, <BR>
> he'll be royally insulted to find out later that <BR>
> he's got a "smudge" on his record out there. <BR>
> We're all fussy about things like that and want <BR>
> to go to sleep at night believing that we have <BR>
> done all that we can or should do to keep our <BR>
> public happy. He'll come back...not charging you <BR>
> the first time was his choice and he'll be <BR>
> equally proud to have done you a gratis favor <BR>
> too. Offer to pay for the come back...and have <BR>
> the cookies ready. Sometimes cookies are better <BR>
> than money. Cookies have personal value added <BR>
> whereas a couple of Franklins are kinda <BR>
> impersonal.<BR>
> <BR>
> I have a couple of customers...we <BR>
> happen to share parents...who never call me until <BR>
> they have complained to all of their friends <BR>
> about the boiler that I "take care of"...course, <BR>
> if they'd call when it started to make noise <BR>
> instead of two days after it quit...<BR>
> <BR>
> _A <BR>
> HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id= <BR>
> 493&Step=30"_To Learn More About This <BR>
> Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in <BR>
> "Find A Professional"_/A_ <BR>
<BR>

Steve_95

Don't hire a friend

I've been living in my home for almost 3 years. I've replaced my old steam boiler with a new unit, installed by a real pro found on this site, of course.
However, I've up until now neglected the central air A/C unit sitting on the one story roof above my den. The system is about 6 or 7 years old. I'm not happy with the duct work; there seems to be air leaks in the attic around the registers. But the real annoyance is the noise in the den everytime the unit runs.
My wife suggested calling in an old friend of hers who happens to own a commercial HVAC company, thinking it's someone we can trust to do a fair evaluation. I readily agree.

Service man comes, checks the attic and the duct work, tells me everything is fine.
Checks out the unit on the roof and tells me the unit needs to be cleaned with a garden hose and that I have a bad contactor. (contacts are burnt and pitted.)
Since the unit is mounted on a couple of 4x4s he says there is nothing to absorb the noise/vibration.
He goes to the local supplier to get a new contactor (2pole, the original was 1Pole) and some rubber pads which we proceed to mount between the unit and the 4x4s.
The unit seems to be blowing harder due to the cleaning(?) and the noise is down to a acceptable level...

He leaves without giving me a bill. My wife calls her friend the owner who say there is no charge. She protests, he insists no charge.
The service man spent 3 hours at my home and bought a new contactor and those pads all at no charge.
That night, the noise retuned except louder! It now sounds like a motor with bad bearings, kind of a gringing sound. The vibration noise has reached a new level, sort of a hi pitched buzz.

Although I'm very greatful for the effort, the whole thing seems worse. I am not blaming him, I don't think he did anything wrong. But there is no way I can call back someone who gave me 3 hours labor plus parts at no charge. Moral of the story:
Always hire business people, you can become friends later. Don't hire a friend, you can't complain later. You truly get what you pay for.

Unknown

Very strange,

as to why the guy didn`t charge you. Funny thing is, your still "ticked". Obviously he wasn`t out to beat you, and we have all worked on things that went sour right after we touched them. Maybe call the guy up yourself, tell him you appreciate what he did, but something`s still wrong,,he may turn-out to be even more helpful to you. Having friends in the right places can be an asset too!
Good Luck!

Dave

Steve_95

Didn't charge due to 25 year friendship with my wife. I don't mean to sound "ticked" or ungrateful.
My point is that it's hard to complain to a guy who is trying to do the right thing. (you know: "No good deed goes unpunished...") If I call him back I wouldn't want him to think I'm looking for a freebie.
Been reading a lot on this site lately about firing customers or firing contractors, I bet he'd want to "fire" me.

ALH_4

Noise

I agree. Give him a call and say the sound is back. I can see no reason why he should get upset about that. Worst case he charges you for the next service call. I'm sure it wouldn't be the first callback he has gotten.

Wayco Wayne_2

I agree

and I would insist that you pay him for the return visit, and have your wife make him some cookies or a cake for the first visit. :P WW

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Unknown

Steve,

don`t be so hard on yourself,,can`t see him wanting to fire you because of a repair attempt that didn`t work-out. Thing is, if you say nothing, he`ll likely assume everything`s hunky-dory,,again, give him a call.
PS-Be nice!

Dave

don_192

Cookie and cakes

home bake, can I take that call?

I would like to add that sometimes the pop rivets on the squirrel cage will come loose and give you the type of noise you're having.

Personally I would be more upset that you did not call.
Make the call!

Darrell

If he's a professional and proud of his work, he'll be royally insulted to find out later that he's got a "smudge" on his record out there. We're all fussy about things like that and want to go to sleep at night believing that we have done all that we can or should do to keep our public happy. He'll come back...not charging you the first time was his choice and he'll be equally proud to have done you a gratis favor too. Offer to pay for the come back...and have the cookies ready. Sometimes cookies are better than money. Cookies have personal value added whereas a couple of Franklins are kinda impersonal.

I have a couple of customers...we happen to share parents...who never call me until they have complained to all of their friends about the boiler that I "take care of"...course, if they'd call when it started to make noise instead of two days after it quit...

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

jim lockard

or maybe

the bearings are bad in the motor and it needs to run awhile and heat up. Your servicer sounds like a square shooter,call him up and be square with him. If he will not take your money send him a gift coupon to a local restaurant, with a thank you card. Best Wishes J.Lockard

tim smith

I agree w/ Darrel

Empire_2

AH Master Jim Lockard.....

Before you condemn the bearings, check the hub in the squirrel cage.....Sounds like a light jack hammer and is usually evident when the cage stops and starts at certain points.... Not saying that it's not bad bearings, but just have it checked. Hold the actual fins and try to spin back and fourth, if it's loose the centrifugal force will make this sound.........:-)

Mike T.

Steve_95

As always, you guys are spot on with great advice and insights. I hadn't considered the possiblity that pride in his workmanship would require my feedback even if it's negative.
As I said I just didn't want him to think I was taking advantage of his friendship and good nature.
I have great respect for men in the trades and all they are able to do and believe in paying top dollar to top mechanics, they deserve it. Unfortunately, the hacks (NOT this guy) think they are entitled to it as well.
You've given me a great idea. I think I'll invite him to the house for a little "thank you" BBQ---Italian style. My wife and I don't bake cookies but we make a mean tomato sauce!
And I'll insist on paying for parts/labor this time.

Weezbo

There is something about this post.....

he sounds like he is just a good dude. the bearing after 7 years just might have suffered the last 7 years patiently waiting to take a vacation maybe, your wifes friend had a brief momment to do the work on his vaction....the vacation thing doesnt seem to be "working out 'for me ...maybe it is the same thing in this instance...

Call your buddy and ask him if he could get you another blower fan motorand belt...you think the years of it struggling against the added weight of the extra dirt probably will smoke the motor ,now that you think about it....that way, he wont think your Blaming him for the nature of all component things....*~/:)

Steve_95

Mr. Weezbo, great idea. I like the way you think! I definitely don't blame him and I definitely want to pay him for all parts and material.
Being a homeowner with a fair streak in my soul, all I ever want for ANY work I need done is 2 things:
1)know what you are doing and
2)charge me a fair price.
Give me that and you've got a customer for life.

jim lockard

Mike

I learned along time ago not to troubleshoot anything from the truck, the telephone or the wall. Just suggesting that maybe one of the things that is not up to speed. Best Wishes J.Lockard

Empire_2

:=)

Agreed....