Aircon Scam

[Dave Hounddriver]

Here's a small time scam that caught me.

 

Some months ago I needed my air conditioner repaired.  A fellow expat referred me to someone who was overpriced and (my Spidey sense says) somewhat shady.  The fellow expat was probably getting a commission.  He fixed the aircon though and I soon forgot about it until the aircon broke again.

 

Since I thought the last guy was a bit shady I found a different technician this time.  He found the problem almost instantly.  He showed me a part that says "capacitor" and told me that someone had previously replaced the part with a cheap Chinese clone and it needed to have an original part or it would only last a few months and probably burn up.

 

The original breakdown had to do with a fan motor.  It had nothing to do with the capacitor.  I suspect the original capacitor was switched for the clone part during the repair.  Either the repairman sold my original capacitor for a 1000 peso profit or he kept it, expecting me to call him in a couple of months to tell him my aircon was broke down.  They he would have sold me my original part back and made another tidy profit.

 

It could happen in any country but . .  its more fun in the Philippines.

[Jollygoodfellow]

Some expats are just as shady as the native version however he may have believed he was recommending a good service man.

[Call me bubba]

interesting,,,

 

remember when you took a car to a "repair shop" sometimes you would be told 2 or 3 things of "what is wrong"

then you took it to another and all is was a "dirty filter or need a new spark plug wire"

 

I agree that he may have tried to SCAM you, yet look at his background.

what he "thought"was an easy fix  is in HIS MIND was the actual problem..

 

All of us must be PROACTIVE in dealing w/repair, health and other issues,

a small amount of knowledge can be helpful or dangerous.

 

Could I suggest....

with  out imposing  an "agenda" that you/us and others when we have an issue w/an electrical or even mechanical unit, is to try to "google" the problem or look at the UNITS website as to try to know what the "problem"

 

maybe.

 that cluck cluck cluck sound  may mean... X ........while a humm cluck cluck humm sound may suggest a completely different problem.

sometimes it could only mean that it needs to be cleaned  or a lose wire

....................................................................................................................................

 

many years ago, i my AIR CON unit on the roof(as all of the others of the condos)

when it was time for its inspection, some of the major parts was "MARKED" as to know that at that time,

it was located in MY UNIT. so if anything went wrong.

and i was unable to be there when the"repair man" came and "FIXED" the issue, i would just ask to see the "part "he replaced. if it didnt have the "MARKED" on it, i would be able to ask him if he really did his "work" also it saved my unit from being "salvaged" for another persons much needed part.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

If it was the fan capacitor it should be changed when the fan motor was changed. Or it could have been just the capacitor bad - causing the fan not to operate. Either way the cap should have been changed. But if he put on a crappy capacitor I can see why it went out already. Sounds like the correct repair, but with crappy parts. Welcome to the Philippines!

[i am bob]

A capacitor is a capacitor...  The only difference is the quality of materials used in the manufacture.  So any time someone says "Let's use this Chinese one"?  Walk away!  The Chinese in general are great at semiconductors on a micro scale - when you start talking transistors, capacitors, diodes...  A few companies do very well but most products imported out of the country are pure waste products.  Better make that RUN!

[Thomas]

Here's a small time scam that caught me.   Some months ago I needed my air conditioner repaired.  A fellow expat referred me to someone who was overpriced and (my Spidey sense says) somewhat shady.  The fellow expat was probably getting a commission.

I don't know if that expat was participating in any scam or just didn't know any better repairman,

 

but I remind of back when it was a huge immigration to USA around 100 years ago, then it was common new arrivers were scamed by persons from their birth country.  

(=YEAH I got assistance from a fellow countryman, who know the language and what I need to do! ....    Oooooooooh I were scamed by him!)

[Jake]

A capacitor is a capacitor...  The only difference is the quality of materials used in the manufacture.  So any time someone says "Let's use this Chinese one"?  Walk away!  The Chinese in general are great at semiconductors on a micro scale - when you start talking transistors, capacitors, diodes...  A few companies do very well but most products imported out of the country are pure waste products.  Better make that RUN!

WARNING -- GEEK ALERT

 

If I may......here is down and dirty function of a fan/motor capacitor: physical appearance is either a plastic

molding enclosing internal ceramic capacitors or one or more are soldered to the primary windings without

the protective molding.

 

Their function is to phase shift one side of the AC input to give the rotating rotor a kick start.  Very seldom

you would find mechanical problems, unless they are exposed to the elements causing ball bearing failures

due to rust, dirt or no lubrication. 

 

A ceramic type capacitor or the molding enclosing the cap(s) can overheat over time and you might see a

small crack or hot to touch (after power is turned off).  Yeah, I had my run ins with off market brand parts

from China, Taiwan, Pakistan and India.  Sometimes the trademark like Motorola markings are fake.  

 

Yeah, it's more Pun in da Pill-lip-pines. 

Edited May 19, 2013 by Jake

[FlyAway]

A capacitor is a capacitor...  The only difference is the quality of materials used in the manufacture.  So any time someone says "Let's use this Chinese one"?  Walk away!  The Chinese in general are great at semiconductors on a micro scale - when you start talking transistors, capacitors, diodes...  A few companies do very well but most products imported out of the country are pure waste products.  Better make that RUN!

Its all about the quality control procedures. The cheaper the end user price the higher the chances it is a reject from a higher quality control standard.

[OnMyWay]

Hmmm, makes me wonder....

 

About three weeks ago our main split aircon stopped working.  It is a brand newish Carrier under warranty, but the landlord was out of town and the landlord's wife could not find the papers, so she had someone else come.  When they were headed up to look at the unit, I heard the guy say "bring a capacitor" and saw the other guy bring a small box up.  Sure enough, that was the problem and they had it fixed in a few minutes.  Total cost was p1400 but I did not have to pay.

 

We will see how long this one lasts!

[Dave Hounddriver]

Total cost was p1400 but I did not have to pay.

 

That was my cost for an original part, installed, just yesterday.  1260 for the capacitor and 200 for the 'home service' so I would say you got the right one.  Hmmm, well lets just say you got 'charged' for the right one.

 

I don't know if that expat was participating in any scam or just didn't know any better repairman,

 

The expat I mentioned was existing with no income at the time so I fully expected he was going to get a kickback or commission for introducing me to the technician.  But I expected a reputable technician.  (Hmmmm a reputable technician who gives kickbacks . . am I naive or what.)

Edited May 20, 2013 by Dave Hounddriver