Estes Services Estes Heating and Air Friends, dont let friends, buy new A/C's Atlanta Georgia

We made an offer on a home in Acworth, GA. The inspectof found a problem with the air conditioning units. We asked our realtor to request a tune-up and inspection before we made the purchase. The homeowner contacted Estes Air.  Because he (homeowner) had a working relationship with the companys "commercial" division, they were the ones to come out.  They signed off on the paperwork and stated "no problems" at this time. The paperwork was returned to the realtors.

When we took possession of the property we checked the A/C.  It was not working. I called the company that did the inspection and they sent out their residential people to do the work. His recommendation? He said he could not put the filter back in b/c it had appeared to have not been changed in a year or so. (photos on record) He also found additional problems, but suffice it to say, the unit had frozen up.  The solution? We needed a new unit. 

When I called the company they said they could sell us a new unit at cost. Well, I checked the prices of the new unit with another company and it was hundreds of dollars cheaper.  When I confronted the manager of Estes commercial division, he became defensive and said he would not help us if I challenged his character.  Nevertheless, we had them put in a new unit only because we were allowed to finance it. Otherwise, we had no extra money to buy one on the spot from a more reputable company.  

What I want to impress upon the reader is this; had Estes Air found the immeninent problems and not allowed friendships to sway a business decision, we could have negotiated a better price for the house or we could have asked for a new unit.  But, because the homeowner managed properties and Estes did the work, the good ol' boy system took precedent and we had to eat the cost of a new system. This was not right!  The unit was bad, but the company appeared to protect the homeowner because of their relationship.  We have asked for a refund of what we put out, but Estes refused.