We’ve all been there before. It’s Friday night and your air conditioner decides to take a break. You call up your trusty HVAC company only to be told that their after-hours service call will cost you an extra $100. But wait! They say they’ll give you the same service for free if you just call back on Monday morning. Is this too good to be true? Let’s find out.
Scenario #1
You call and hear the following, “That’s correct. We don’t charge extra for after-hours service. Unfortunately, we’re booked until Monday at 9 AM. How does this work for you?”
In this case, the HVAC company is trying to take advantage of your desperation. They know that you need their service and they’re trying to make a quick buck by charging you for an appointment that they know they can’t even make. Don’t fall for it!
Scenario #2
You might actually get someone to show up at your home at some unreasonable hour for that amazing price of $49, but it doesn’t really matter if the boss is paying his man overtime with the markup fees he’s charging you. It’s the same as the free service call myth – they’re still charging $250 an hour plus a 500% markup.
In this case, the HVAC company is being honest about not charging you extra for after-hours service. However, they’re making up for it by charging an exorbitant hourly rate. So, while you’re not being charged extra for the service call, you’re still paying way more than you would during normal business hours.
As much as we wish it were true, there’s no such thing as free after-hours HVAC service. If a company is offering to provide this service at no extra charge, they’re either trying to take advantage of your desperation or they’re making up for it by charging an absurd hourly rate. Our advice? Avoid after-hours HVAC services unless absolutely necessary. And if you do need to use one of these services, make sure to do your research ahead of time so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.