Roland J Down outrages price for replacement parts Scotia, New York

Problem: Furnance leaking gas/faint oder of natural gas in basement.

Roland J. Down charged me 332 dollars for a gas valve.  Charged me 84 dollars service charge, plus 80 dollars for maintenance contract, plus 35.07 tax, for a total of 536.07 to fix said problem.

I know everyone has to make a living and labor charges are outrages, but this is ridiculous. The problem I have with them is they charged me 332.00 for a gas valve, when at the local plumbing store, for the same gas valve, it was 98.00! It took the technician about an hour to complete. I'm sure they markup this price on the bill so it looks like the parts come to 332.00, when in actuality the part costs them about 50 dollars and they pocket the rest. I feel I was ripped off for 232 dollars.

I told this to the technician and all he said was that carrier gas valves are expensive. When I said I can get the same valve at a local plumbing store for less, he said, he has to install their gas valve to be under waranty. This 332 dollars for a gas valve  has to be an installed price which includes labor rate. But then they charge you a dianostic price of 84 dollars as well. He walked out with a check for 536.07 for an hour's work to replace a gas valve! Pretty good labor charge. I know the technician doesn't get all that money, the company does.

They do good work and come right out, just be aware of their scheme when looking at your receipt.  I feel they are not up front and honest with the public when charging for parts. There is a hidden labor fee they are not telling you about. They should say 332 dollars installed price including labor. The receipt shows just an 84 dollar diagnostic price which tricks you into thinking you were only charged 84 dollars for labor when in fact the labor charge was 232 dollars. There is no labor charge on the receipt just parts and diagnostic. Also they will not install anything you personally buy at your local plumbing store for less. They have to install their own parts or they can not warranty work. Consumer be beware!