I CONSTANTLY get phone calls from people who ask: "what is your trip charge?" And they NEVER ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS SUCH AS: "What is your satisfaction guaranty?" Or: "What is your warranty" Or: "WHAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE?"
They rarely ask these very important questions! They are only interested in the initial cost and they are being suckered by deceptive advertising such as: "Free trip charge if work is done".
YOU NEED TO CONSIDER THIS:
Should you actually need to see some type of break down of the consideration(s); here is an example of a breakdown you might get from Rod's contracting. This is based on a common, average repair where the homeowner was quoted the TOTAL CONSIDERATION BEFORE THEY AUTHORIZED THE SERVICE. And the $60.00 trip & diagnostics and cash discount where INCLUDED in the original offer.
This repair includes a brand name part and a full two year warranty and I do not ask for any additional consideration, such as another trip charge, should you need to make a warranty claim on covered repairs.
And, because I utilize a flat rate, the service is completed as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Unlike other companies charging by the hour, whose goal is to take as long as possible to get the job done. And allot of these companies are paying their technicians as subcontractors working for a COMMISION! So their goal is to make the job as complicated and expensive as possible!
Would you believe that I have seen other companies charge as much as $280.00 just to replace a motor coupler?!? A service that should only cost $180.00! including cash discount
Are you one of those people who like to “Shop” for price or “special offers”?
You will find different offers and pricing being offered in this industry. I know of many of these since I have worked for other companies in the past, allot of them charging hundreds of dollars to perform average, everyday repairs.
What is interesting is that despite ALL the different ways of wording these offers and the different advertising tricks, the bottom line still comes out to be the same. Or even MORE! Depending on how gullible the customer is.
And BECAUSE OF THIS VERY FACT; YOU MUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU COMPARE THEM CAREFULLY! And make sure you are getting the SAME SERVICE FOR YOUR MONEY.
*Do they offer a cash discount?
*Are they using brand name parts? This means parts that are packaged with ACTUAL APPLIANCE BRAND names such as Whirlpool, Maytag, Frigidaire, ect.
*Are they covering their parts and labor with a full two year warranty?
*Do they charge additional trip charges when you make a warranty claim?
*Are their technicians subcontractors? And are they working on a COMMISION BASIS?
*What are the precise details of their so called "great deal"? And will they provide it in writing?
*Are they to busy reeling in new, first time customers, to take the time to answer your questions on the phone?
Lets consider the Rod's breakdown. (above) It APPLIES the $60.00 trip & diagnostic consideration to the repair! This is commonly offered as a “special deal”. To me? It's just the CORRECT, HONEST WAY TO PUT IT IN WRITTING. And is NOT a "deal" at all.
Here is the play on words: The quote for the total job is: $200.00… If you pay the $60.00 up front, this $60.00 IS "APPLIED"! Leaving only $140.00 for the actual job.
I COULD, but *choose not to, break it down like you might see from another company such as THIS:
*I just give you the bottom line of ONE NUMBER to keep it simple rather than these "options" other companies might use.
Do you still think you are getting a "great deal"?
YOU WILL NOT SEE SUCH A DECEPTIVE BREAKDOWN FROM ME! Only from those other companies offering you "great deals". My consideration quotes are not deceptive at all and I do not HIDE COSTS in the parts and labor to give you a "great deal". In fact, while My cost of expendables such as parts are factored in My consideration quotes, I do not "charge" for parts at all. They are included in the BOTTOM LINE!
I simply tell it to you like it is and do not use any of these deceptive advertising practices.
SO: you MUST compare apples to apples and most of these companies will not even give you a quote over the phone OR they totally low-ball the quote PREVENTING you from making a good comparison! They simply want to get their foot in your door then sell you sub-standard materials and services including additional repairs to jack the price up without telling you that you have a choice.
My advice: If another company refuses to talk to you about pricing on a specific repair? What kind of parts they use? How they pay their technicians? What their warranty is? If they refuse to talk about any ONE of these issues? Or their discounts require you to mention then ahead of time…
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE HIDING SOMETHING FROM YOU!
Me? I would be GLAD to talk to you and answer ALL your questions and maybe even diagnose the problem on the phone!