1 out of 5
| Trustworthy | |
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| Customer Service | |
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| Recommend | |
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The "business" Five Star Cooling listed here is a scam. I only called because I was told the previous owner of my home used Five Star Cooling to install the HVAC system. I called 619-356-2223 and spoke to a representative about having someone look at a thermostat I believe I installed incorrectly. I was told over the phone estimates are no charge, there is only a $99.95 starting service fee applied to the total estimate if the technician does any repairs. That seemed reasonable, even if it's a quick fix their base is $99.95.
A technician arrived to my house within the appointment window given. After poking around my condenser, furnace and breaker panel he gave me a grossly excessive quote of $425...to rewire a thermostat. When he was looking at each item it did seem odd. In retrospect he seemed to just be attempting to look busy. I asked him what the repairs would exactly entail, and he couldn't explain anything to me other than "rewiring your thermostat".
I told the tech I wanted to get another estimate before any work was done. The technician handed me an invoice for $99.95 service fee. What service he provided? I have no idea, but I paid him the $99.95. I regret paying him anything, but I'm a single female and didn't feel comfortable with a strange male in my home, I just wanted him out of my house. I noticed the company name on the tech's invoice was "Reliable Appliance Service". When I asked the tech about Five Star Cooling, he claimed to know nothing of the company. He said he receives a call and goes where they tell him to.
I wanted to find out why I was told estimates were free when I originally made the appointment so I called "Five Star Cooling" again 619-356-2223 from my phone. It's was the same "press 1 to be connected" phone system from when I made my appointment, but this time I was disconnected after pressing 1 each time. I immediately called out from another line, and wouldn't you know it the call went through. The same male call representative who previously made my appointment answered. I asked if this was "Five Star Cooling", and he said no, they are "AC Services". I explained I was looking at the google ad for Five Star Cooling 619-356-2223, and when I asked him to tell me his company's address, he immediately disconnected the call. I called back (from an outside line, my phone was still being disconnected after pressing 1) and spoke with a different female representative. She tried to claim the technician who came to my home must not have been sent by them. Quite a coincidence a random HVAC tech came to my home during the same time they made an appt for me. This was at the end of my appointment window, so I asked her where the technician from her company was. She tried to come up with excuses, but still no other HVAC person has come to my home since.
I think it clear this is all a scam. The Five Star Cooling/AC Services call center at 619-356-2223, and Reliable Appliance Service technicians have a scam system. They likely attempt to grossly overcharge for HVAC services, and if someone won't agree to the unreasonably excessive costs, they get $99.95 out of them for providing no service whatsoever.
Do not call 619-356-2223. I can't stress this enough.