The Public Opinion Soapbox

walrus1 · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 61

It is hard to find trustworthy repairmen in the area. It is next to impossible to find a trustworthy auto repairman, and if you do keep him! He is worth his weight in gold. It is easier to find a good wife then a good repairman and in a pinch I am not sure which I would have to choose. (it's just a joke dear)

Latest experience, our forced hot air oil furnace quit working and our normal guy couldn't come out, he was too busy. One way to tell if you might have a good one is if he is busy, a lot. So we eventually find someone who doesn't live too far away. Side note: if they say,"Don't worry, I won't rip you off" that may not be a good sign.

Anyway he shows up spends 5 minutes doing basically nothing but look at it and informs me it will cost $4,000 for a new furnace. Well there is no way in this current world oil climate I am spending $4ks on an oil furnace, I would sooner put something else in. So I pay him his $60 service call and send him on his way. Now I get to looking at his bill and think,"Hey, we just had some of those parts changed not that long ago"!

So I go to the internet, thank you Al Gore, and find a troubleshooting flow chart and some directions for troubleshoot oil furnaces. Of the parts he said needed changed, four were good and only the electrodes looked worn with cracked insulators. I replace the electrodes $8 dollars, still doesn't fire. I have an old transformer and the output seemed a little weak so I bought a new one, $60. put it all back together, still nothing, adjust the electrodes, blow out the lines..... as soon as I turn the power on it starts right up..... total cost $68 dollars instead of $4,000! These are basic parts that any service repairman would look at first. Sigh....next time my trusty repairman is busy, I'll wait or fix it myself. Now if I could only find a trusty car repair person since my old one retired. Either I am gaining more knowledge and am noticing more often when these people are crooks or it is getting harder to find good people.

A Talking Horse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 139 Location: Cove Gap

Noel · Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 49

And have you ever noticed that they only work when they want to work, not when you really need them like day after the holiday or middle of the night or on weekends. They only want to work 9am to 3pm Monday - Thursday. Whats up with that??? Must pay pretty good to only have to work part time at it. Glad you were able to fix it yourself.

walrus1 · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 61

Thank you, I am glad I was able to fix it myself also. But the one thing that bothers me is most people, if they have the money, would just have gotten a new furnace. To me it is no different then someone sticking you up, it is robbery.

Noel · Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 49

You're right it is robbery, makes you wonder how they sleep at night. But I guess that's how they only work part time.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2251 Location: Chambersburg

walrus, this is a great story and I would actually encourage you to tell us the repair service you used for this. I'm not sure anything you said could be considered slanderous, but I'd like to hear someone from the PO give the ok. That's what these boards are for; giving local advice on services in the area.

It's really amazing how much we can do ourselves with just a few minutes of research. Knowing how to use Google and Internet is absolutely life-crucial. I can't believe so many people oppose basic Internet literacy studies in school. Most schools are actually blocking search engines like Google to students out of fear despite it being such an invaluable tool.

That said, I have used the Internet for many, many things that could have cost me thousands in contractor and service fees. Literally five minutes on the Internet could save thousands; it's not always easy, but it's almost always out there.

I've been trying to find a good, local mechanic for my car and I will not hesitate to drop names if I'm happy, or unhappy, with their service. It's just too bad that we have to be careful of this in such a lawsuit happy world.

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2722 Location: Chambersburg

We've been happy with Environmental Comfort when we've dealt with them.

We had an absolutely horrible experience with a plumber when we first moved here in April of 2004. He also does heating. It was one man, salt & pepper hair, glasses, son-in-law in Iraq. I believe it was one of those ___& Sons businesses. He was AWFUL!! Attitude, misleading, ended up being an outright liar. I wish I could remember his name, I'd definitely post it. He was local and referred by the insurance company we had at the time. Later that year I saw his truck at Wilson College by Warfield, but even they don't use him now.

In case you haven't noticed, I hold a grudge. Very Happy

Typically, we try to troubleshoot on the internet first. Saves a TON!

If you find a good mechanic please post. So far we've used Meineke (good guys) and Chiltons and Haynes manuals (the amateur grease monkey I married says Haynes is better for people with less experience and they're easier to find but he prefers Chiltons, says they tend to be a little more advanced.) And we've had several recommendations from people about a local guy who specializes in Subarus (my car--- redneck hubband won't touch it 'cause he's skeered of them there foreign cars Wink

) but I have not had the opportunity to use him yet.
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I demand euphoria!

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 400

We've been happy with Environmental Comfort too.

And Keith at United Automotive is a stand-up guy - completely honest and he knows what he's doing.
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Now, go spread some peace, love and understanding. Use force if necessary.

Noel · Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 49

For automotive repair we've had good service with Tim Munson & Jason Rhoades very honest people that know what they're doing, they are located on Churchill Rd in Mercersburg. They do repairs as well as inspections and tires. We've been going there for a few years and have not been disappointed, I've even taken our car in for tires while my husband was out of town and they still gave the same great service even though I'm a women they didn't take advantage of my lack of knowledge on tires.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2251 Location: Chambersburg

Me!!!!!!!! · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 295

I too recommend United Automotive!!

walrus1 · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 61

have heard mixed reviews about Environmental Comfort, if it is a larger company, maybe it depends on who you get. Over the years I have heard some things about Meinike, but I haven't heard anyone say anything, good or bad, in years so maybe it is worth a shot.

Not familiar with United Automotive.... where are they located, who owns it?

I have heard of the Subaru guy also! never owned one but it seems everyone I've known who has, has met the Subaru guy.

I used to go to a mechanic on Franklin Street extended, those guys were VERY honest and very reasonable. He closed and the guy who worked for him open his own shop off of 316, again one of the most honest people I have ever met. Was a trip for service but well worth it if you find someone you can trust.

I had my car repaired at a place on 30w, a few weeks later I had to have it redone by the guy off of 316, the first place used old parts and charged me for new and for work that may or may not have been done. The last place I took the car was stouffer's, first trip went well, there isn't even anyone else I would even try west of Chambersburg. Any recommendations for anyone west of Chambersburg? There is a used car guy on 30W who does repair also, but STAY AWAY! The previous owners seemed ok, but they have sold the place, the new owner kept the old name, but not the old standards.

We used to use Mr Ferry for our furnace, I think he has retired but let me thank him for his years of honest great service. Zullinger (sp?) seems very reliable and honest but he is in great demand sometimes, which is a usually a good sign. These men seem like they were able to make a good living without cheating people. Another clue is to look for people who have been in the same business or use there own name, the smaller crooks seem to change their business name or the business itself every few years because business trails off. this method doesn't always work for the larger companies.

Me!!!!!!!! · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 295

United Automotive is loctated by Bob Evans on wayne Ave.

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1777 Location: shippensburg

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2251 Location: Chambersburg

I should also mention that I have had excellent experience with Scott's Tire.