ComplaintsforPrairie Mechanical Services Inc

• Initial Complaint

  21/04/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Phoned Prairie Mechanical Services to come look at my furnace. On April 14, 2023, 2 workers came, they were here for 5 minutes and stuck a finger in to turn the fan. They said I needed a new motor and quoted me $600-$800. The next day I found a motor at another dealer in Swift Current for $288 and told Prairie Mechanical what they wanted was too much money and I did not need their service. On April 20th I received a letter dated April 14, 2023 from ****** *********** for $1000.32. Why would a business send me to a collection agency on the same day they were at my house and never did any work on my furnace? They never even gave me an invoice. I am 80 years old and cannot afford an unwarranted bill and feel this business took advantage of me.

  Business response

  24/04/2023

  We responded to his call and provided service and the part needed to repair his furnace. He refused to pay. There is a full description of the situation in the letter attached.

  Customer response

  19/05/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I don’t care how long you have been in service.  I just called to confirm what you think was wrong.  I never hired you to come and fix it.  You are not a service manager or dealer for these furnaces.  I found a qualified dealer in Swift Current and the price for the part if it needed it, was only $288.00, half of what you quoted if that was the case.  After talking with Swift Current the manager there asked about the thermostat, was it a programmable one – Yes I said and he said that was probably the cause.  One dead battery which costs about $2.00 was the cause.  The original blower is still working fine after replacing that!  As for a qualified person to install the blower: do you need a heavy duty mechanic to change a flat tire on your car?  There are only 4 screws to install it and a plug for the power.  Do you need a qualified electrician to plug in your toaster? 

  I never once hired Prairie Mechanical Services to do any work; they thought it was a fast way to make a buck.  They didn’t bring any repairs and only were here for 15 minutes; they never checked the thermostat or anything.  I disrespect anyone who takes advantage of old people.  I might be old but that don’t mean I am stupid.  They should do their homework, I guess.

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *** *****

  Business response

  23/05/2023

  Dear *** *****.

  When you called Prairie Mechanical on April 12, 2023 that your furnace was not working, we confirmed your address with you and drove the one hour (one way) to diagnose the problem. Once on site, our technician told you the motor was seized. He explained to you that it cannot be oiled or repaired, that a new one is needed. The technician got the motor working however not sure for ho long, so it was suggested to get a new one - which we ordered for you. Yes, we are not a Dealer for this specific company, but we were able to source one for you in a very short time frame. At the time it had nothing to do with the thermostat as the motor and furnace were working when we left. 

  Qualified personnel, licenced technicians, are required to work on any gas appliance as per Saskatchewan gas code book B149.1.
  

  As you are aware, we were able to get a refund for the motor, but there is still the cost of the initial service call to your house. We are a very busy company with 6 technicians on the road as far as 2 hours away, so we don't make house calls to distant places for no reason, or with out consent. 

  Sincerely,

  ***** ********

  President, Prairie Mechanical
  

   

   

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