Report: #278747

Complaint Review: Overhead Garage Doors -/ America's Choice Overhead Garage Doors

Overhead Garage Doors-/ America's Choice Overhead Garage Doors Installed a Tortion Spring Syst. to replace Wayne Dalton Syst. (Torque Master Conversion) Atlant Georgia

Reported By:

— snellville Georgia
Submitted:

Mon, October 15, 2007
Updated:

Mon, December 07, 2009

Overhead Garage Doors -/ America's Choice Overhead Garage Doors

)

Atlanta, Georgia

U.S.A.
Phone:

678-608-2069
Category:

Garage Door Companies

*Author of original report: Web Address *General Comment: You did not get ripped off.

Quick Service, But Nasty Customer Service -- When we called to get an explanation of the charges, the Manager (located in Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX) became loud and aggressive with me. Stated that he was having a decent conversation with my husband before I got on the phone. Called me a "Smart Alike", accused me of making threats, stated that he would see me in court if I stopped payment on the check, and told me I could not have the name of the owner and HUNG UP on me. He later called back and offered my husband a $50 refund.

How it all Started: Located the company on the internet, explained the problem in detail -- Wayne Dalton System w/broken spring/tubing -- dispatcher stated that he was unable to provide any estimate over the phone. However stated that he would waive the $49 service call fee. Well that didn't happen. The tech. that came out quickly diagnosed the problem -- broken spring in Wayne Dalton Tube -- estimated $300 parts and $49 labor to do a Torque Master / TorkMaster Conversion System. Stated that if I didn't go w/him, I would be charged the $49 service call fee.

Well he installed a Tortion Spring System, never removed the Wayne Dalton Tubing, collected the fee and left.

After my husband came home and saw the simple Spring install and cabling job, and saw that the Wayne Dalton Tube was still there and not repaired as he had understood it would be, he was upset. Thought the company had overcharged (Actual Parts: $99) and could have provided an estimate for this job over the phone.

When we called to complain, we got the manager from hell who was loud and aggressive with me. I later called around and found that the Wayne Dalton Tube was supposed to be removed and I got a price of $275.

Ladies and Gents -- Force Garage Door Companies to give you a FREE Estimate. And Ladies, don't take any CRAP from overzealous, power hungry, male chauvinist managers!! I guess women don't handle business matters in Texas like they do in Georgia.

Jones
Snellville, Georgia
U.S.A.

2 Updates & Rebuttals

Dom

Ohio,
United States of America

You did not get ripped off.

#3General Comment

Mon, December 07, 2009

I know it's been a couple of years for you, but I just came across this. Please read my whole response, as their is plenty of information here that you may find valuable. I am a garage door service company owner in ohio, with plenty of experience dealint with "dirty" companies.

First, a garage door technician cannot change your system from torquemaster to standard torsion without replacing the tube with a torsion shaft. It may have looked the same to you, but torsion springs do not ever fit onto a torquemaster tube, under any circumstances.

Second, there are very few garage companies that will service Wayne-Dalton torquemaster systems, as parts are not nearly as readily available for them. Wayne-Dalton is the only manufacturer of these, and there is not a large interest among garage door service companies to jump on board with the product. Here's why. There is a widely shared consensus among garage door companies about two things. 1: Wayne-Dalton makes this system only so that they can benefit from more revenue off repairs, and 2: the torquemaster system has a generally shorter spring cycle life than a traditional torsion system. It lasts only three to six years on average, where a traditional system will typically last between six and 12 years. The Wayne-Dalton website will try to convince you that their system lasts longer. The one question you can ask in response to that is "Why is there only a one year warranty on the parts?" It may also interest you to know that the Wayne-Dalton company's garage door division is now being acquired by another manufacturer, and I do not expect the torquemaster system to be kept in production.

Third, you did NOT get ripped off on the price. Typically, you will pay between $300 and $500 for a conversion. The parts involved will cost the garage door company around $100, and successful companies run a parts cost of around 20% of revenue. Do the math. A company that offers you the service for much less than that is likely not paying for essential parts of the business, such as a license or insurance.

Fourth, the service call fee of $49. It is customary for garage door companies to charge a service call fee just for showing up at your house. After all, it does take time (labor) and vehicle expenses to get to your door. However, most companies do not want to lose an opportunity for your business, so most will agree to give you a free estimate.

There are some companies out there that will take advantage of you, but it does not sound like the company you have written about here is one of them. In fact, it seems that their prices are quite low for the services they provide.

Jones

snellville,
Georgia,
U.S.A.

Web Address

#3Author of original report

Mon, October 15, 2007

justgaragedoors.com

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