At What Point Do I Give Up and Shut Up?

[InTheLight]

In late February I had an intermittent furnace problem. It would light most times but every other day or so, it wouldn't light. I'd be sitting in my chair and would notice I was getting cold. Flipping the power switch on the outside of the furnace housing would reset it and it would work again. Being in Minnesota, this is a problem. I tried to fix it myself (flame sensor, hot ignitor plate, pressure switch, etc.) but the problem persisted. I believe I narrowed it down to a natural gas problem. I'm not messin' with the gas supply, time to call the pros.

I was careful to write down when the guy showed up, what he did, and when he left. I was told I needed a new gas regulator. This is the one that is on the natural gas supply line just before the gas line tees off to the furnace and the water heater. It is located in our furnace room right next to the furnace. The regulator valve was replaced. I asked, "What do I owe you?" and was told an approximate amount and that I would get a bill. The furnace worked great for a couple of days, but it was back to the same symptoms. Another call and another tech comes out to the house. This time I am told the furnace burners need to be replaced. This was done and once again I ask what I owe. "You'll get a bill." The furnace is now fixed.

A week or so goes by and no bill. I wait another couple of days, and call them about it. I am told that they are aware of it, that they will talk to the techs, get their workflow information and I'll get a bill. This was March 8th.

So here it is April 2nd and still no bill. After asking about the charges three times, including calling them after the fact, I'm thinking I'm not supposed to have to pay for this. Thoughts?

 

[InTheLight]

Oh, FYI, the total amount, by my reckoning is about $300 to $325.

 

[HAMel]

When you get a bill then pay it. In the meantime get a hobby. It's up to them to collect..., not for you to volunteer to pay anything.

 

[Internet Theologian]

I'm thinking I'm not supposed to have to pay for this. Thoughts?

You had the work done so you need to be paying them.

Legally around some parts you don't have to pay, 'legally', if not given an estimate.

One needs to decide what is more important here, what is legal, or what is Christian.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Set aside the 300+ dollars, and pay the bill if and when it comes. If you have one locally, I'd go to your legal aide society or a free legal clinic. I'd want a lawyer to tell me what my responsibilities are.

 

[JonC]

I'd bet you had something floating in the manifold or burner channel.

If it's a small company some times they get behind in the billing dept. I'd just hold on to the money and set it aside.

 

[Kevin]

Sounds like you made a good faith effort to pay what you owe. We had something similar happen when the water well pump was replaced a few years ago. After a couple of phone calls asking about the bill, we just kept it in mind that we did owe them.

Several months later, when they did send the bill, and wanted to be paid immediately, or they would take us to small claims court. Yup they had the nerve to threaten us, and to top it off, they had tried to overcharge for the service visit.

We got it worked out, but we would have been on the hook for that extra charge if we had not documented everything.

 

[InTheLight]

I fully intend on paying the bill. The consensus seems to be not to call them again, just wait for them to send me the bill. That's going to be my course of action but at what point should I simply forget about it? A year? Two years?

Makes you wonder how wonderful their cash flow must be if they don't get around to invoicing a $300 job for more than a month.

One thing for sure, I'm going to contest the installation of the gas regulator. That was a $30 part and the half hour labor would have been about $35-40.

The burners were described as being slightly rusty at the crossover segments where the flame would jump from one burner to the adjacent burner. I could have had the burners cleaned with a wire brush but at $75 an hour for labor I opted to replace them ($120 for all four.) FYI, the furnace is 14 years old.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Like I said seek legal advice from a lawyer admitted to your state's bar. Tell him you plan on sending the company a registered return receipt letter six months from the repair telling them they have thirty days to send you a bill payable in 60 days from the letter's date. A lawyer can tell you if this is an acceptable plan.

 

[Revmitchell]

Oh, FYI, the total amount, by my reckoning is about $300 to $325.

Have been through a similar scenario. I would not let it go or ignore it. Sometimes someone will discover the outstanding bill much later and then say "they never paid their bill, let's send this to collections". Send them a certified letter stating that you have not received the bill and the time frame involved in your waiting for it. This way if sometime later you are accused of never paying the bill you will have written proof you made every attempt to do so.

 

[InTheLight]

Squire and RevMitchell, I think I will do as you suggest and send them a certified letter.