Complaint Review: Timothy Off Heating Air Conditioning and plumbing

Had them out in middle of winter to restart a brand new oil heater (new tank cleanout too), after it ran out of oil.  For a nozzle clean out, new filter and startup, they wanted to charge more than $400.00.  I almost fell off my chair, since they didnt quote such a price prior to repair.   After they did the job, they quoted the price, and then said I could pay an extra $120 to get a 1 year service warrantly on the unit - such that if it ever happened again, it would be covered.

Sure enough, even though I also set up a scheduled oil delivery, the tank ran dry in 1/2 the time as usual (2.75 instead of 5 weeks).  After tenant consult, it was found that the Timothy Off technicial was the cause, since he changed the thermostat from 69 to 72, and then tenants never noticed - so they opened windows (in the winter) when it got hot.  They indicated (which I fully believe) that they had no idea that that the thermostat was adjustable - since there was a lock on it also. 

In any case, when I got the new oil delivery, and the unit would not restart with a normal bleed, I called Timothy Off again for a regular service (next year cleanining - which is what I asked for, told I would receive, and was the work supposedly done - since I was away and could not check the situation myself... As a landlord - paying $400 for 1 call / restart is ridiculuous, but 520 for 2 was a little more palletable since I was already being held hostage. Time I actually needed the service it since I was away for two days, but with a contract, and assurance when I bought the contract that it would include such work, I was more than surprised when the technician called, and told me that my charge for repairs was $219.00 - over the contract amount - JUST FOR BLEEDING THE LINES.

I had actually asked for the full filter, nozzle clean, and restart service - which was supposed to be included 100% with my high priced (and hostage held & signed - 500+ on a 3 month old heater) contract, but again - since I was not in a position to do that service myself, I did agree under a level of duress to pay for the 1 year service and maintenance contract - simply for the next filter replacement.

In any case,  when the tech called and asked for another $210 over the $540 already paid for the 1 year contract, I refused to pay.  Who wouldn't ??  After being promised that this exact service was included, and not quoted any price for and told it was part of my contract, why would I agree to pay more ??  It was a new heater that cost $4K installed, so obviously, for filter changes and restarts in the first year, $759 (540+219) is more than excessive - no ?

2 Months have gone by, and now these A-Holes send me a letter that they will refer the $219 to their attorneys for liens if I dont reply in 15 days and my "charges will be exponential"..  Well, to anyone that wants to try this company, USE CAUTION!!.. Since my wife who 1/2 owns my property is also a lawyer, and I have many more on staff as inside counsel in my business, that is the least of my concern, but this owner is unscrupulous based on how he treated me as a supposed "contract" customer so buyer beware!