Complaint Review: Oscar Ruiz HVAC

Ocsar Ruiz (HVAC) marketing himself as AC repair on Craigslist. Tall, large built Latino man.  Likely to use another name next time, but did get upset when I called him Carlos by mistake.  He is looking for your vulneralability, when I said I was desperate, because we had been a week without AC and I have an 87 year old frail mother at home.  This guy also knew that I had just started working again and was so low on money, but he smirked when the word desperate was mentioned.

He said I needed a start kit, though I used what I thought was logical to say that did not make sense considering the symptoms of the AC.  I fell for it because he said that he would apply that payment  toward compeller, because I was sure that is what I needed.  

Oscar finally came back when obviously his fix did nothing to get AC going more for a few minutes. He charged me the labor for the start kit and did apply the remaining costs toward the compleller. He  offered to install a compeller that was not used, not rebuilt, but new and sitting on shelf as if excess supply that is sold to technicians.  Once installed he said dont use it much tonight, WHY? He left though minimal air moving.  Soon became obvious this was worthless. Guess what, it was a banged up old unit from the 90's and he cut the harness and did other damages.

He gashed the flat foam roof with the heavy sharp edges as he dropped the compeller, which can cause havoc on roof function.   I called to inform him.  SLow returned call was inaudible, of course.  When I finally spoke with him, he asked "How did you find out it was used?"  What does it matter if it was working? I told him not only was it NOT working, it was not what I paid for and that mattered. Old, Used, broken, and a 3.5 rather than a 4 ton. I specifically insisted on getting the 4 ton.

Oscar's complained that I am unfair because I do not let him repair it.  Do you want a dishonest, crook in your home? How many days do I stay at home dying in the heat, missing paid work, while this guy fumbles around never delivering cool air. Oscar was indignant asking if I was recording the conversation when he admitted the compeller was used. He said "That is entrapment" .  Don't get entrapped with Oscar!

An attorney said that I was very generous when I offered not to take him to court, to allow him to refund the amount in payments, as he said he could not pay it quickly, though I gave him the money day before, I merely asked for him to put his plan to repay in writing. He refused so here I am. To court, and out to warn people.