First American Home Buyers Protection ripoff on aircondiitioning service Van Nuys California
On July 24,2006 I called First American to report that my airconditioner was not working. We were in the middle of a heat wave (115+). Left message regarding problem.
Received no reply so called them back on 7/25/2006 they gave me the name of a technician that I called and could not come to my residence for 4 days. I have COPD and am on oxygen 24/7. The heat and bad air makes it very difficult for me to breath. I called First American back and they gave me th ename of another company that could come the next day.
The new service company came and replaced my capasitor and said the house would cool down in a couple of hours. Left the house and make back and it was 2 degress hotter than when we left. Called the technican back and they returned the next day and said the part they put it was defective. They replaced it again. I again left and when I returned it was still not working. Called the Technician back and he said there was nothering further he could do and I needed to call First American.
I called First American and was assigned another company who came out The new company came out on August 2. They recharged the unit, righted some screws and bolts and said it was fixed. The unit did not work. Called them back, they returned on August 9th. replaced the capacitor, again it did not work. They returned the same day and checked out the unit and did something else, don't know what and said the unit should work. After he left there was a large noise, lots of steam or smoke and the unit quit working.
Called the Technician and he indicated that there was nothing further they could do, the unit needed to be replaced and they would contadt Fist American.
On Friday August 11th I contact First American and was told they had not received a request from the Technican yet. Put me on hold, called the technican and was told that yes, it needed to be replaced and as soon as the technican came into the office they would file a report. The Service techican, I believe was Melissa, said they would make a decision within a couple of hours and get back to me.
Heard nothing on the 11th, so called back on Monday the 14th. Was told that they needed a senior technican to come out and look at the unit. I called the technician and was told that they would send this person out, eventhough they already felt that there was nothing further to be done. Someone will be out today.
I know this is going to be just the beginning of another fight. I can't seem to get through to these people that I am disabled and need my Air Conditioning. They are very rude and condesending to me. They have told me they would call back many many times, but they never do. I have to call them back and wait on the phone for at least 30 minutes before I even talk to someone.
My policy expires on August 20th and it looks like they are trying to get the unit to work until the policy expires so they don't have to replace it.
If I didn't have this policy I would have had my air conditioning fixed weeks ago.
It has not become a matter of what's right and wrong than the cost of the air conditioner.
Alice
Antelope, California
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Alfred
Santa Rosa,California,
U.S.A.
thoughts on the matter.
#4UPDATE Employee
Fri, January 19, 2007
have you considered maintenance? that should never happen with regular maintenance number one, number two, business model is designed as nexxt business day. crappy techs will make it next business month.
have a back up plan in case the bafoons who by the way live in you area, show up.
first american is cheap but will work as a cash in leau of it above an average repair. ask for cash outs on parts worth more than the service fees and use the ht and ac care program your state offers, and rub elbows with an honest chap in the hvac industry and google your issues that need tissues.-employee in renewals.
Mike
Radford,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Help from the state?
#4Consumer Suggestion
Wed, August 23, 2006
Did you look if you're eligible for any state heating/cooling assistance program? Or if you have the money to pay to replace it yourself, go ahead and do that, and do it right. The unit they supply, if they ever do, will be the cheesiest available. There will be more trouble in the near future.
It is pointless to get hung up over right and wrong here because you already know they're crooked. Find out if you can get a cash settlement instead. Take whatever you can get, then after the check clears, cancel the policy.
If you want to continue to stand and fight, bring in a window unit and park your favorite chair in front of it.
Alice
Antelope,California,
U.S.A.
Still Waiting
#4Author of original report
Tue, August 22, 2006
Was told on August 17th that a new unit had been ordered and would be at my technicans in 2 to 3 days. Today, August 22, I called the Technicians and was told nothing had been received.
Called First American and was told that a termostat was ordered and should be received by my technican by the end of this week. I said I was told a new unit had been ordered and he said, "oh yes that was ordered too."
We are now at 100 degress again, bad air quality and nothing is being done. My lung capacity is less than 30 % and this bad air just does further damage to my lungs. I asked this Customer Service Tech if they had noted by condition in the notes at all as I tell each person that I talk to that all this fooling around is detrimental to my health. He said there were too many notes on file to know.
I asked him when someone was suppose to call me and let me know about the unit being order, etc. He said I was on "The List" for calls but due to the high volume he didn't know when that would take place.
I worked as a customer service director for a large company before I became disabled. If my department had been run like this I would have been fired in the first few days. It appears that this is the way the First American wants to do business.