Allright, let the games begin! Our heat pump didn't sound that happy during the last cold spell, and I decided to invite a few bids to replace our gear with a high efficiency system (motivated by the gov't tax credit etc...). I called Scott's services (who call themselves the Prince of Plumbing-a suitable title for the minivan ridden exurbs they serve). Anyway, the prince of plumbing showed on time, pulled out his well-worn and dirty shoe covers, and met my wife. He spent about 5 minutes looking at our old set-up. Then he wrote down three numbers on a pad and showed them to my wife. The first number: $27,000 (new heat pump and new ducts-never mind that he never looked at our ducts etc...). Then, second number: $13,000-premium heat pump with variable speed air handler...of course 5 tons, one more than we have-they call this practice 'upsizing' in the 'biz....o.k. all suckered already? No here comes the third one: $9,000-the standard system. considering the $1,500 tax credit and the TECO rebate-a steal!!! Wow...my wife then asked him to leave a written bid with her, so the hubby might look at it and make an informed decision. No, the prince says: I will not do this-the competition might see my incredible discounts and match them...well, the wife says: how about a Schedule J load calculation at least? will you attempt to do this, as a true prince of plumbing would? The prince replies: Well, we only do that once you sign a contract with us! If you want it now, you would have to pay for it! At that point, the wife decided it was time for the prince to leave, and rightly so! An amazing business style! Stay away from these scoundrels! At all cost!
