A/C Tech Charges $1,700 To Repair Non-Existent Problem

In this intense summer heat, most of us have our air conditioners on full blast. But can you always trust the repair technician who comes knocking at your door? To find out, Inside Edition rented a home in New Jersey. Then we had two A/C professionals with a combined 70 years of experience examine the home’s A/C unit. Next, we had them create a simple problem, where none previously existed. We rigged the home with hidden cameras and booked appointments with four air conditioner companies in the area. Inside Edition’s Lisa Guerrero has more on our undercover investigation.

[chrisstrothoff]

What makes it worse is the company he worked for wouldn’t respond. Crooked company there.

[xsupersane]

This literally just happened to me last week. He was charging $2500 for a replacement and I called another tech who fixed it for $100. Ridiculous.

[ANHON]

Should be a felony. No different than stealing $1700

[Blubb]

That’s pure fraud he wanted to commit. That company should be prosecuted and shut down.

[rickylee]

When I was around 14 or 15, my dad started teaching me how to fix things myself. He taught me how to weld, auto mechanics, basic electrical and plumbing, HVAC, and carpentry. After he passed, I kept learning more and more on all of the trades. This helped me to get a great job as an HVAC tech. At 62 I’m retired now and can’t remember the last time I had to call a tech for anything. This has saved me a LOT of money over the years. Thanks dad for all you taught me over the years and I think of you everyday. Knowledge is power, people.

[UltraHenry]

He left the tools knowing he'd never need them again...

[JayWerx]

If Tyrone shows up expect some hustling 😂😂🤣😂

[bill]

I'm an HVAC service technician and that guy is what I despise.

[dadeo]

15 years ago my AC unit stopped cooling. My wife called the “ Local AC place.” The tech says your compressor is bad. It’ll need to be replaced. Then he says we just happen to have a sale going on and I can’t replace your unit for $5000.00 my wife calls me at work and tearfully says that we need a new AC unit. FOR 5 GRAND! I told her to send them on their way. We’ll get a second opinion. My coworker suggested his neighbor a retired AC technician take a look. My wife calls 2 hours later. Extremely happy. The old school retired AC fellow had discovered a faulty connection. We still have the same unit. He wouldn’t take a payment. He had a glass of iced tea with my wife and kids and was on his way. My wife and I have wondered several times. How many unsuspecting elderly folks on fixed incomes have been robbed by unscrupulous turds.

[ecoinftreg]

My man tried to beat them for $1700, and ended up leaving $2000 in tools 😅😅😅

[mr.alaska]

Dude tried to charge $1736 in repairs. Leaves Approximately $1736 in equipment. Genius!

[pauldiesel]

He wasn’t trying to upsell, he was ripping you off and couldn’t help but smile as he was caught.

[danielp]

Love that they straight up told us the companies to avoid

[nicolaxoxo]

I have had a dishonest a/c tech come out and show me a photo of a TOTALLY moldy air handler and tell me I needed to spend a ton of money. Fortunately (unbeknownst to him) I had recently had an insurance claim which included a thorough cleaning of my air unit and ducts so I knew the photo was NOT my unit!
If anyone trues to sell you on a repair based on a photo on their phone, make them take you to the actual unit and show you where the issue is!

[paltryshelf]

So, a scammer gets scammed. Good one lmao

[MikeFoster-syjl]

Poor guy tried to scam her then probably left $2000 in tools behind

[RyoHiroshima]

Thor was bugging out, he probably thought he was in to catch a predator.

[cased]

You know darn well he's done that before. That was not his first time for sure. Way to calm.

[zaug]

This was gold. That company is finished, and they deserve it. This was no small scam. I hope this gets taken a step further and that company gets sued. Great work Inside edition!

[ctzoomie]

That is outright FRAUD. NJ state Attorneys General should be targeting that company AND technician.