ComplaintsforCurtis Total Service, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  08/28/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  This company was sued by then Attorney General *********************** in Lehigh County Civil Court in June 2022. I was a new victim today. Here are the details: On Friday, Aug 25, I called Curtis Total Service of Allentown, PA to get a quote for air conditioning air duct cleaning. I was told they could inspect and clean the entire AC system for $59 and include a quote for the duct cleaning with that. They sent ******* out Monday, Aug 28. He inspected the exterior AC unit and went up to the attic to inspect the AC component there. I cannot climb the pull-down ladder to the attic seeing as I am 65 and overweight. He came down and showed me a video on his phone of a piece of my system, purportedly, that was covered with either mold or mildew or both.. He told me that he had a hospital grade UV filter on the truck that he could install right then.. He then got me to agree to a service contract of $139 per year to reduce the cost of the UV light by 10 percent. The total cost I wrote a check for after that and some other adjustments that I did not understand was $1,475. The most expensive UV light for home AC systems on ****** is $196. He spent 1 hour and 40 minutes at my house. So, the fair value of products and labor was definitely less than $450. I was priced gouged for an additional $1,025. This is consistent with the practices targeting elderly and single individuals documented in (then) Attorney ******* *******'s June 2022 court case against this business. 

• Initial Complaint

  12/09/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 10-20-21 the company did work on my furnace and boiler.I requested the business replace the expansion tank.replace boiler valve,replace the chimney exhaust pipe from the furnace to the chimney and restart and service the furnace.I did tell the company rep that I did not want this inline water valve that the company was trying to sell me.I told the company that the system has ran and operated fine without it so I told the company  rep company that I did not want this inline water valve.the company  did the work but they installed the 700 inline water valve that I did not want or requested.I in no way shape or form request to have this inline water pipe valve installed in my home.the next day I seen that they did install this valve that I did not order or request.I Called the company three days in a row leaving messages to have this matter rectified.talking with people at the company and leaving messages but no one could help me and no messages were returned to me.I refuse to pay for and item and services that I did not request or want.I have paid 1200 cash on a 2200 bill that they now charging for.No one from the company has offered to help me with this situation.Ii. Now way shape or form wanted this in line water valve installed at my home.Thank you for your time.*********************** ************

  Business response

  12/15/2021

  This customer was told upfront that if  we were not able to install a auto refill valve on his oil fired water heater, that we would not perform any work on it due to safety issues.  Not only did we inform him upfront, they declined the work, our technician left their home. Then they called 20 minutes later the same day and told our office they wanted to go ahead with the work. The technician turned around and went back to their home, the husband signed all paperwork allowing us to do the job. We scheduled the work for another day after we received  the materials.  This customer knew very well that the job included the water refill valve. That is why we left in the first place. At first they did not want to do the job. I called them last Friday and left a message that if we did not hear from them by the end of the day, we were sending them to collections. At this point they must now deal with them. We were never paid for doing work they agreed to under a legal contract. Thanks.Tell us why here...

  Customer response

  01/04/2022

  December 27, 2021

  Hello, 

  To whom it may concern this letter is in response to the BBB in regards the business practices of Curtis Service.

  I did in fact call Curtis Total Service to have their contractor return to my home after initially telling the contractor had changed my mind in regards having them do work at our home.  We also contacted other contractors to compare estimates we received from them to compare to Curtis Company because we were directed to try Curtis through a friend that had hired Curtis recently.  We decided to call the Curtis Company back to do the work.  The contractor for Curtis that day was given 89.00 in cash for just showing up.  The contractor for Curtis Co. returned and he was given 1200.00 in cash.  We applied for and was given to the contractor who followed me to the bank.  I told the contractor elaborate on an item he took it upon himself, that being quote:  A special valve that the contractor felt and told me I needed.  I told the contractor that I have had seven other contractors look at this job recently and non of them mentioned about I needed a special valve.  (what the Curtis contractor called it)

  The Curtis contractor addressed the valve as something I needed.  I told the contractor that I don't didn't need this special valve that he wanted to install in my home.  I told him when I was recently looking for estimates for this work I called his company and the two prior licensed contractors mentioned nothing about it or tried to sell me it special valve that he, the Curtis contractor was trying to sell me.  

  At no time did the Curtis contractor in any way shape or form this subject of safety for whom, what, where, and why.  I did tell the Curtis contractor that my heating system rand and operated fine for the past 18 years I told me that he was the only contractor that recommended this this quote: special valve.  The contractor then told me it would be good for my heating system.  

  I cannot agree or disagree with what was discussed between the Curtis contractor and the company.  I do there were several time where any time the Curtis contractor would contact the company to speak with them he would only go to his service truck or outside of my homes occupants presence.

  I called the Curtis company several times for a week or more to discuss the several things we weren't happy with in regards their contractor did and didn't do.  The Curtis company returned not one of my phone calls.  In my attempt to rectify this matter, leaving messages with secretaries and leaving messages on answering systems.  No messages were returned to my phone.

  The Curtis company should refrain from their deceptive and deceitful business, work and sales practices.  

  Once the company receives their payment for their services the company is M.I.A. with a list of excuses for their actions.

  Thank you for your time. 

  Business response

  01/05/2022

  This customer was told what was included, They were well aware that we do the job by the book. That is why they did not buy the repairs from us at the time. After they said no to our work offered.  They called us back minutes later, and  decided to go ahead with our contract. They called us back and we did the repairs just as we explained we would. Now they think they do not have to pay for the work we did and have buyers remorse. Thanks. Thanks.Tell us why here...

• Initial Complaint

  11/17/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Home was built in 1988 and never had any plumbing issues.2 months ago when flushing the upstairs toilet the toilet on lower level would bubble and gurgle. Curtis did snake/auger the lower level toilet with no blockage found. The manager/supervisor told me the house wasn't built right ? If that is the case this situation should have happened 30 years ago not now. Received free advice from 2 separate plumbers and both agreed Curtis's assessment was quite ridiculous. Customer service is normally the #1 concern for most businesses. That is certainly not the case here. Invoice#94417 Dated 19 October 2021. I believe the charge for snaking the drain is justified although $448.00 seems excessive. Total charge for service was $561.00 and when the plumber left, nothing was repaired and the situation was the same as when he came. Seeking some amount of rebate. Thank you and hopefully you will get better results then when I tried.

  Business response

  11/23/2021

  This customer called us due to a gargling sound when the toilet was flushed. After speaking with the customers wife who said it may have been doing that for years, they just never heard it. The husband said it started when they installed a new  toilet. After assessing the issue our technician offered to snake the line due to a possible partial blockage of the main line. We quoted the price upfront, performed the snaking and found that they do not have a house trap. The line appeared free of blockage. We feel the original piping is the reason they have the current issue. After reading this complaint it appears that this customer has buyers remorse. At Curtis Total Service we quote all prices before the work begins, this way there is no disputing our price. We are sorry this customer has decided our price is to high. We did what we said we would do, quoted the work upfront, he signed the invoice to allow the work. There will be no refund. Thanks.Tell us why here...

  Customer response

  11/24/2021

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
  
  Regards,
  ****** ******
  

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩