Complaint Review: Alpine Temperature Control

I called this company because my squirrel cage in my air conditioner, heater had failed. I took the cage out myself, in less than an hour. I called Brian and took the cage into him, to see if he could find another one, which he did. When I spoke to him That same day, I asked first what the cage was going to cost, He kind of sounded embarrassed, stating oh yeah I guess that is a good question, then quoted me $150.00. Just being diagnosed with cancer, i didn't feel like crawling back into the attic to put in in, so I asked what that would cost me as well. He stated they billed my the hour, i expressed I as an amateur took it out in less than an hour so surely it wouldn't be any more than that. Oh I am certain not, he told me. So I agreed to have Kent come out the next morning to install it. He showed up at 8:05 AM, finished at 8:53AM, then at that time handed me a bill for $274.00. The cage had now climbed in price to $169.00 and he was billing me for one and a half hours. When I questioned him he exclaimed the balance was sales tax! Excuse me sales tax in Washington County is 6.25%, then I questioned  him about the time, he exclaimed they were billing me for driving time to pick up the part and to my house, which I find rather unusual, especially since doing some more research I find I could have bought the cage for $47.00 retail from Sears.

I payed the bill reluctantly, then the next day thought about it and called to complain. only to be told "tough luck" they didn't overcharge people. Which is obviously not the case in my situation!