Dave Williams Heating and Cooling

Unilocal!
This business’ web site says «Rated 1 by The Glens Falls Post Star for 2010»
I’m not sure what the rating scale is, but I can assure you that the only thing Number 1 about this company is the expensive service.
I asked the company to repair a furnace in our summer home– about 30 minutes from Glens Falls. When I engaged the owner, I told him the problem, the make of the furnace and its age– as well as what it was specifically doing. When speaking to him, his manner seemed «gruff» but he also seemed competent– and what with newspaper’s recommendation, I thought it’d be ok.
Dave said that the next day he’d do the work and call me to let me know it’s done. He also mentioned that he’d be charging for travel time.
What he didn’t tell me was that he charges his full hourly rate BOTH WAYS– so we got to pay for all his travel as if it was professional work time– something I am not accustomed to. (I am used to paying ONE WAY– but NOT BOTH WAYS– TWICE!).
The next day: no phone call. So, had to call to see what was up. He told me he had to order the part. No problem, I thought. It’ll be done by the weekend.
Later the next day he called to say the igniter had failed and that it’s a $ 94.00 part. AND THAT THE LABOR WAS $ 325.00!!!
TOTAL CHARGE: $ 478.49 for the furnace igniter.
When I gulped and said that seems like a lot– that’s when the real unpleasantness started. Mr. Williams got more than a little aggressive and started barking about how he hadn’t hidden anything and demanding to be paid.
Well, we did go to the house– it’s our secod home– and we inspected the work and saw that it worked well. And, we went on line and sent out the check today– 24 hours after the inspection.
I guess the topping on the cake– the part that really made me want express my concern about his service– is that I just got another call DEMANDING to know where the check is– as if he KNEW that the bill was outrageous and therefore a little aggressive collection is in order to make sure he gets his money.
I did tell him that we had paid the bill today– and also explained that I still was pretty upset about the bill. I can’t tell you how rude the man was to interrupt AND raise his voice on the phone with me. He argues that he was upfront in the two way travel charges (NOT) — which, by the way, included HIM GOING TO GET THE PART AND DELIVERING IT THERE.
I completely understand why he’s not busy during the day and focused on calling to collect his money: it’s because he really is quite rude– and his charges are outrageous: $ 450 for a very simple repair on a new furnace.
DON’T GO TO THIS COMPANY– IF YOU DO, YOU WON’T WANT HIM BACK.