I have now had two encounters with 1st Choice Mechanical cooling-heating when it comes to my a/c unit (I have a split unit). My first experience with Manny was awesome. He was so impressive and professional, explaining everything and ensuring I had no questions, I fully understood all my options as well as what were some of the possibilities that could happen in the future since my system was over 10 yrs. Manny replaced my outside compressor and my condenser fan motor. I was so impressed with Manny I signed up for one of their service packages because I do a tune-up of my system before each season (summer/winter) to ensure my system was working fine.
My second encounter was a total disaster, they scheduled my summer tune-up in March, I wanted Manny to be my tech, but they sent out someone else, his name was Preston Jones. Preston came in and introduced himself, stating that he was the technician's supervisor and was about to be promoted to regional sales manager. Preston proceeded to go to the attic to complete the tune-up (which normally consists of cleaning the coils, checking refrigerant levels, inspecting components, and ensuring the system operates efficiently). After some time, Preston came down from the attic and quickly told me he found corrosion and a leak in my coil, and stated I should replace the unit. In fact, he stated that since I had replaced my outside unit, he would have suggested replacing the inside unit to ensure the system was all basically new and issue-free because it is common for leaks to occur when you replace part of a system. He stated that was what they normally do and not replace a partial system. He stated that he was going to advocate on my behalf to get me the best price. He came back from the truck with a price (over 11k). I told Preston that I was not signing anything now and I would get back to him. I then proceeded to get other estimates from other companies, after getting many estimates and talking to many other technicians I started to realize that Preston never discussed nor showed me any of the data from his diagnosis of my system. No readings indicate system issues or leaks. After talking to many of the other techs, three of them stated they saw no indications of a leak and the coil had only very mild rust, which was normal. I did go up into the attic with one of the other techs and viewed the coil on my own, and I am very knowledgeable about corrosion being a retired Navy tech. They said the coils were only wet due to condensation and no oily residue which would be present if any leaking was present. I realized that Preston tried to mislead me by lying about my system just to make a sale.
I confronted Preston with the results and the comments of the other techs, and now many things were said, I expressed that based on his actions I believed he had a predetermined agenda to sell me a new system whether I needed it or not, of course, he denied this. However, after many conversations and being persistent in expressing that I don't believe he completed the tune-up, his diagnosis changed from corrosion and a leak to erosion, and the possible potential of leaking is a big change from the beginning diagnosis. He still never suggested showing me any data of his tune-up diagnosis which I had another company come in a complete a tune-up. Afterward, we went over all the data and my numbers were great showing no leaks and showing my system was in very good condition.
As a consumer, having been highly disappointed with this company, I write this Google review to inform those who are in the market for heating or air repair to do their total diligence check all reviews, and do your research because not everything looks as it seems. Not all technicians have your best interest.
