Local farmer brings his M8540 in every spring for service. It's at my shop now, did all the service and cleaning (nasty!), including the condenser and evaporator. I called him & told him I was finished and he said he forgot to ask me to look at the a/c as it wasn't cooling as good as it should.
Went to hook my gauges up after the servicing and noticed some oil around the compressor shaft seal. Hooked up anyway and sure enough, the charge is low. So I called him back, explained that the compressor is dying and really should be replaced. He says naw, just charge it and I'll get another season out of it. Sure. No problem.
Or actually there IS a problem! My 30lb cyl is low (nearly out) and not enough to do a complete recharge. So I run to the parts store and ask for another, 609 card in my hand (you have to have that now). Sure thing. $449 + tax.
I about FELL OVER! I asked the clerk, are you sure? He turns the screen around, and sure enough there it is. $449+ tax and it's the only option. I said ok hang on let me make a phone call.
Sir your tractor needs refrigerant. Because the US Government decided that I had to buy a license and they also decided to reduce the amount of refrigerant produced, the price has skyrocketed--I can do it no problem, but you need to be aware that 2 lbs of refrigerant is gonna run you $49.00 plus tax and labor. On the other end of the phone, you could hear pins dropping. Then some hollering! You're trying to rip my head off aren't you! Blah blah, blah. So I turned to the clerk, took a picture of his screen and sent it to my customer. I'm paying $490 (with tax) for 30 lbs of it and you're griping about $50?
12 oz cans are $29.00 each, BTW.
He said he'll take the doors off and put screens on. Seriously, not a bad idea. I might actually help him!
In 2019 May I bought the last 30lb cylinder at the same store for $78.00 and change with tax. What is that a 160% increase in price or something?
And--being certified, I stay up to date on the stuff. There is not currently a direct replacement for R134A. And for most vehicles that use R134A, there is no way to install all new components to make it R1234 compliant. So you are just screwed.
I am sorry to say, I have totally lost all trust in our leadership. 2015 was when SNAP was passed, and this was all part of SNAP.
So you guys in the biz, better get ready to jack the prices up on your a/c repairs.
Went to hook my gauges up after the servicing and noticed some oil around the compressor shaft seal. Hooked up anyway and sure enough, the charge is low. So I called him back, explained that the compressor is dying and really should be replaced. He says naw, just charge it and I'll get another season out of it. Sure. No problem.
Or actually there IS a problem! My 30lb cyl is low (nearly out) and not enough to do a complete recharge. So I run to the parts store and ask for another, 609 card in my hand (you have to have that now). Sure thing. $449 + tax.
I about FELL OVER! I asked the clerk, are you sure? He turns the screen around, and sure enough there it is. $449+ tax and it's the only option. I said ok hang on let me make a phone call.
Sir your tractor needs refrigerant. Because the US Government decided that I had to buy a license and they also decided to reduce the amount of refrigerant produced, the price has skyrocketed--I can do it no problem, but you need to be aware that 2 lbs of refrigerant is gonna run you $49.00 plus tax and labor. On the other end of the phone, you could hear pins dropping. Then some hollering! You're trying to rip my head off aren't you! Blah blah, blah. So I turned to the clerk, took a picture of his screen and sent it to my customer. I'm paying $490 (with tax) for 30 lbs of it and you're griping about $50?
12 oz cans are $29.00 each, BTW.
He said he'll take the doors off and put screens on. Seriously, not a bad idea. I might actually help him!
In 2019 May I bought the last 30lb cylinder at the same store for $78.00 and change with tax. What is that a 160% increase in price or something?
And--being certified, I stay up to date on the stuff. There is not currently a direct replacement for R134A. And for most vehicles that use R134A, there is no way to install all new components to make it R1234 compliant. So you are just screwed.
I am sorry to say, I have totally lost all trust in our leadership. 2015 was when SNAP was passed, and this was all part of SNAP.
So you guys in the biz, better get ready to jack the prices up on your a/c repairs.
