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United Air Comfort United Restoration unethical swindling leads to law suit against us... Riverside California
We sold our last home (which was 5 years new at the time they purchased it) 10 months ago and left everything in A-1 condition. Our buyers selected and paid for a home inspection prior to the close of escrow. The report states that the heating system is in generally good condition, adequate heating capacity is provided by the system, heat distribution within the home is adequate, the heating system shows no visable evidence of major defects, the gas connector for the flue is an approved flexable type, in good condition, there is adequate clearance to combustible material in the area and around the heating unit, the heating system/s vent/s is/are properly installed and appear/s to be in serviceable condition & the combustion air supply is adequate. It goes on to say that the thermostat/s appears to be properly installed & the unit/s responded to basic controls.
It does state however that "poor exhaust flue connections should be improved immediately and that the H.V.A.C. should be replaced". We were instructed by the home inspector on how to repair the exhaust flue connections and we did exactly as he said as well as replacing the H.V.A.C. filter. The buyers wife and Real Estate Agent came for the final walk-through inspection. We were there during the walk-through and never once were asked to move anything nor to provide anything like a ladder etc... The buyers wife signed the walk-through papers and left.
Because their daughter suffers from allergies, seven months after our buyers purchased the home from us they "requested the services of United Air Comfort, Inc. for advertised service of basic air duct cleaning and furnace inspection". The technician gave them an estimate for $1,396.00 stating that the flue pipe needed repair along w/the drainline, acidwash, choked off evap. blower, broken fire box, unsealed ducts, lowline insul. etc...
Immediately we felt that our buyers had been swindled because that heater was in perfect working condition when we moved out and the inspection report states that as well.
Because the inspection report states that the H.V.A.C. filter needed to be replaced (which we immediately did), our buyers are under the impression that there never was a filter, this is simply not true.
The United Air Comfort technician allegedly told our buyers that because we "never had a H.V.A.C. filter in place on the heating unit", we are totally responsible for the demise of their heating system. The buyers wife gave us a copy of a letter to the judge that she obviously typed up due to her writing style, allegedly signed by the United Air Comfort technician stating that "it is imperative that a filter be used and regularly replaced to avoid problems w/the evaperation coil/blower and condenser. If this had been done then the unit would be in good condition today and need not be repaired".
We contacted this exact technician and asked him if he signed this particular paper & he really was not sure. We told him that it was made look as if he wrote it & he said, "Oooh Really"! His tone sounded as if he never wrote any such letter. He wants us to fax him a copy of the letter so that he can figure out if he signed it or not. We are not going to fax him the letter until we receive legal advice.
Our buyers are suing us in small claims court for $1,222.00 because of this single heating report from United Air Comfort, Inc. If anyone out there can be of any help what-so-ever to our case (in mid June 2003) your help would be greatly appreciated, Thank You!!!
Jane
Any Town, California
U.S.A.
8 Updates & Rebuttals
Jane
Riverside,California,
U.S.A.
The judge ruled in our favor
#9Author of original report
Thu, July 24, 2003
The judge ruled in our favor due to the fact that it was blatantly obvious from the original Home Inspection Report that the heating system had been completely sabotaged by Rick Cochran from United Air Comfort. I would suggest to any and all consumers reading this, to take photographs of whatever you are calling upon someone to repair, prior to their visit or taking it somewhere. Even something as simple as cleaning your heating ducts can end up really costing you an enormous amount of money. Not only did our buyers lose around $1,400.00 for the sabotage job and court fees, but all 4 of us lost 2 days wages each due to having to go to court and having to reschedule the hearing!!!
Jane
Riverside,California,
U.S.A.
The judge ruled in our favor
#9Author of original report
Thu, July 24, 2003
The judge ruled in our favor due to the fact that it was blatantly obvious from the original Home Inspection Report that the heating system had been completely sabotaged by Rick Cochran from United Air Comfort. I would suggest to any and all consumers reading this, to take photographs of whatever you are calling upon someone to repair, prior to their visit or taking it somewhere. Even something as simple as cleaning your heating ducts can end up really costing you an enormous amount of money. Not only did our buyers lose around $1,400.00 for the sabotage job and court fees, but all 4 of us lost 2 days wages each due to having to go to court and having to reschedule the hearing!!!
Jane
Riverside,California,
U.S.A.
The judge ruled in our favor
#9Author of original report
Thu, July 24, 2003
The judge ruled in our favor due to the fact that it was blatantly obvious from the original Home Inspection Report that the heating system had been completely sabotaged by Rick Cochran from United Air Comfort. I would suggest to any and all consumers reading this, to take photographs of whatever you are calling upon someone to repair, prior to their visit or taking it somewhere. Even something as simple as cleaning your heating ducts can end up really costing you an enormous amount of money. Not only did our buyers lose around $1,400.00 for the sabotage job and court fees, but all 4 of us lost 2 days wages each due to having to go to court and having to reschedule the hearing!!!
Jane
Riverside,California,
U.S.A.
The judge ruled in our favor
#9Author of original report
Thu, July 24, 2003
The judge ruled in our favor due to the fact that it was blatantly obvious from the original Home Inspection Report that the heating system had been completely sabotaged by Rick Cochran from United Air Comfort. I would suggest to any and all consumers reading this, to take photographs of whatever you are calling upon someone to repair, prior to their visit or taking it somewhere. Even something as simple as cleaning your heating ducts can end up really costing you an enormous amount of money. Not only did our buyers lose around $1,400.00 for the sabotage job and court fees, but all 4 of us lost 2 days wages each due to having to go to court and having to reschedule the hearing!!!
Randy
Clearwater,Florida,
U.S.A.
The Attorney Generals office has filed a civil action on behalf of the people
#9Consumer Comment
Fri, June 27, 2003
Jane: riverside,Ca.
any other residents Of California.
The Attorney Generals office has filed a civil action on behalf of the people of California against United Air Comfort Dated May 29,2003, if you would like to be included in litigation or have your name added to records,contact the attorney general 916-322-3360
or toll free 800-952-5225.
Jane
Riverside,California,
U.S.A.
Judgement Day results thus far.
#9Consumer Comment
Wed, June 25, 2003
We went to small claims court today and were totally disgusted not to mention shaken, when we viewed the photographs that were taken by our buyers AFTER the United Air Comfort technician had inspected the heating system and gave our buyers his fraudulent bill.
He completely sabotaged their heating system like you would not believe. Just about everything that connects to the heater had been tampered with by him. He completely removed all of the sealings on most if not all of the connections! This is not the condition that the system was in when we moved out! We left that system fully sealed and in tack and it was running beautifully as the inspection report states.
Twice we faxed the "letter to the judge" along with the actual heating inspection report to the technician named Rick Cochran, who performed the fradulent heating repair job, from two different places (KINKO'S and STAPLE'S). We asked that he respond prior to today's court date but of course he NEVER returned any kind of response to us as we called KINKO'S daily to inquire about any incoming FAX's for us as well as checked our email several times per day.
We feel that he must have just about died when he viewed the actual heating report that gives the heating system a clean bill of health. It is our opinion that he's running scared and that is the reason why he did not respond to us.
The "RIP-OFF REPORTS" as well as the news report transcripts can not be used as evidence in court as they are merely heresay. The reports definately aided us in finding out about this fradulent company and their scandalous work practice, thank you so very much RIP-OFF REPORT. Actual affidavit's are necessary for court evidence. We will find out what our judgement is via the postal system in the next couple of weeks.
If anyone out there has had a bad dealing with any company what-so-ever, PLEASE do not hesitate to file a "RIP-OFF REPORT" as it helps others not fall into the same trap as you did and will prevent that company from obtaining at least some of it's business. Just as you may be helped by the reports you are reading, others may benefit from your knowledge and experiences. Remember people could save an astronomical amount due to your report(s). A great big THANK YOU to all RIP-OFF REPORT reporters, God bless you!
Jo
San Francisco,California,
U.S.A.
Take evidence of how this company operates
#9Consumer Comment
Mon, June 02, 2003
Just do a search on this site for "United Air"
and go to Google and search for "United Air Comfort". Also go to different Better Business Bureaus sites and call and get reports.
Also call Sacramento, State License Board and get their report. This company has a huge credibility problem. Get your evidence together and take them to court.
I believe a BBB in Southern California is currently in litigation at Los Angeles Superior Court. I'm sure these records are public.
There are also may TV station reports online.
Best of luck.
Keith
Warminster,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
difficult to do all this in a politically correct way
#9UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, May 29, 2003
first of all: the report by the united employee saying there was never any filter is hearsay. noone but you knows wheter there were or werent filters second the first report says filter needs to be replaced which means there was a filter in there the report did not say that a filter needed to be installed which would have implied that there was no filter. third subpoena the united employee he will be a hostile witness but the only intent is to get his experience and certifications chances are he won't even be employed with the company any more. the services that he recommended with the exception of a couple are only preventive maintenance which should be performed on all systems regardless of age. now the part about the firebox is very interesting that implies that the furnace is unsafe and venting flue gases into the home which more than likely would have been discoverd by the first company. ask how he came to this conclusion this is not a fixable item it would require a new heater or heat exchanger. the heat exchanger is a sealed metal box with an intake at the burners and an exhaust at the breech of the heater where flue gases exit into the smoke pipe. the heat exchanger is simply heated and then return air from your home is passed around it to be heated the air in the heat exchanger and the air in the home never mix. if the firebox is bad the heater is bad lets see him swear to that in a court of law. many united "techs" have little to no experience and their only formal training has been by video teleconference with no hands on. goood luck with your court hearing and your homesale please try to deal with the new homeowner on a one to one basis show them this website and the "great " reputation that united has earned. talk to friends and neighbors to find a trustworthy hvac company to come in and do another inspection let the new homeowner know that if the second company agrees with results youll be happyto work with them but if the other company says united was ful of s_it that they will be responsible for the cost of the inspection and that their problem is now with united and not you it's going to be difficult to do all this in a politically correct way but im sure you can do it before it comes to court