Look for complaints when researching repairs
Carroll couldn’t use a credit card for payment, a surprise after seeing a different message at the website.
“Interac, cash and all major credit cards are accepted,” the company says. But next to credit cards, it has a small-print asterisk and disclaimer that says, “For pre-authorized accounts.”
There was no cold air after his fridge was fixed. The technicians returned a week later and said there were two new possible issues.
“The refrigerator could be repaired at an absurd cost, but with no warranty,” Carroll said.
He was offered $50 in compensation if he signed a waiver releasing the company against any future claims. He refused to sign and contacted me.
I sent his complaint to Dan Vidoser, listed as business owner by the BBB, who said I couldn’t use his comments in my column. Then, he took back the offer of $50 compensation.
“Due to your email communications with the Toronto Star, Appliance Repair Guys is retracting our refund offer. No refund will be issued,” Carroll was told in an email and voicemail message.
Andrea Restauri called Appliance Repair Guys, which said there would be an $80 fee to diagnose her oven. But the technician who came to her home insisted on a $280 fee before he would proceed.
Appliance Repair Guys took back their offer of $50 compensation after a client contacted the Star
“He said we needed a new circuit board,” she said. “His company charged $708 for the part and there may be additional fees for labour.” She turned down the expensive repair, but her oven didn’t work any more after the technician put the circuit board back together. She ended buying a new stove and giving away the old one free on Kijiji. I asked Vidoser about Restauri’s complaint. Again, he refused to let me use any of his comments in my column. Appliance Repair Guys shows the logos of well-known appliance brands at its website. One brand is LG, a Korean manufacturer. “That’s not our logo. It looks like ours, but it has a different font and no smiley face next to it,” said Court Elliott, a spokesman for LG Electronics Canada. “We don’t work with them at all,” he said about Appliance Repair Guys and Service 4 Appliances. “We have our own repair staff and only work with selected authorized dealers to ensure the quality of the work.” I have two tips: Check a firm’s reputation online. Add “complaints” to the name when doing a search.
Ask if your credit card is accepted before getting a service call. This means you can ask the card issuer for a refund if the technicians fall down on the job. Ellen Roseman writes about personal finance and consumer issues. You can reach her at eroseman@thestar.ca or ellenroseman.com