Early Career Low Point

[greenhorn520]

I have only been running maintenance calls for a few weeks now and am already being harped on about sales. Problem is the weather is beautiful right now, a lot of our customers have already purchased new units from us and have the accessories; EZ Trap, Kick Start, Surge Protector...ETC....I got into this trade to be a mechanic/technician, not to be a hard core sales man. I understand the importance of making sales and I'm trying, but hey you have to draw the line some where. How should I take this? Typical seasonal BS? Because it is pretty discouraging to some one with only 6 months experience to start running maintenance in the dead season.

[SBKold]

One hour?

[Brent Ridley]

I have worked for companies like this. Get out! Get out now!

Companies like this are what is wrong with the industry. They get away from the fundamentals and push sales over repair. The true mechanics get treated like red headed step children while cheesy sale-tech gets praised. It makes me sick. We are NOT car salesmen...we are service repairmen, that means we repair broken systems until it is not economically smart to do so. Period.

I may get in trouble for listing these....but the biggest offenders are:

Service Experts.
ARS.
One Hour.

Do not work for them. They will force you to sale when it is not needed and cause you to compromise your moral integrity to collect a paycheck and feed your family. Upper management for these companies do not know the first spec about HVAC, they were selling gutters two weeks ago. Sorry for the rant but these guys give all the hard working and honest companies/technicians a terrible reputation. I'm constantly having to defend myself and others because of this and I'm tired of it.

[Special Ed]

I have worked for companies like this. Get out! Get out now!

Companies like this are what is wrong with the industry. They get away from the fundamentals and push sales over repair. The true mechanics get treated like red headed step children while cheesy sale-tech gets praised. It makes me sick. We are NOT car salesmen...we are service repairmen, that means we repair broken systems until it is not economically smart to do so. Period.

I may get in trouble for listing these....but the biggest offenders are:

Service Experts.
ARS.
One Hour.

Do not work for them. They will force you to sale when it is not needed and cause you to compromise your moral integrity to collect a paycheck and feed your family. Upper management for these companies do not know the first spec about HVAC, they were selling gutters two weeks ago. Sorry for the rant but these guys give all the hard working and honest companies/technicians a terrible reputation. I'm constantly having to defend myself and others because of this and I'm tired of it.

You talk like an ignorant kid who always sat in the back of the classroom so he didn't have to learn anything.

Here are the facts:
If no one in an AC co ever sold anything then they'd be out of business. And all techs wanna do is do the easy thing which is fixing units - they never want to do tune-ups or talk to the HO - they just wanna fix AC's ONLY when there's a manifested problem and never a moment sooner even when it's obvious that there's gonna be an issue very soon w/that unit. Why? Because no tech wants to be a "used car salesman" or perceived as one.

I find that unless a unit is relatively new or a lot of work has already been done to it then it's rare that any system is in perfect condition. There are no buts or exceptions, that's simply a fact. So are you gonna be one of those amateurs who never tells anyone what potential issues their system may have or offer solutions to any IAQ challenges?

If this is so then maybe those more truly honest and professional co's aren't for you.

And I'm sooooooo sick of lazy techs who don't want to act or look like pros, who always try to lowball the other guy and then complain about low wages.

I think those techs should just shut up...:

[Moonrunner]

I'm sorry but when a part of your job description involves "finding" cracked heat exchangers where there aren't none, it's time to go to another shop. If a couple of hours of work will postpone a $3000 re&re by a few years, why try to scam the HO? Even better, if you're such a hotshot sales "tech" you can fully diagnose the equipment and give the HO all of his options instead of saying "well, this piece of equipment is more than 2 weeks old, time for a re&re or you and your children will die horrible deaths if you're lucky."

[Brent Ridley]

Special Ed, there is no need to call names.

You apparently heard me wrong or you are the one I am complaining about. You say, the easy way is to fix the unit? I disagree. I found many techs who use technical incompetence as a sales tool. They don't know how to fix it, so they tell the customer that they need a new unit. That is absolutely positively immoral and wrong; no matter how you look at it.

Nothing is wrong with selling the customer something they need - AKA- something that will prohibit future breakdowns or TRULY enhance the systems operations. So many good parts and new systems get replaced nowadays just because the technician gets a spiff.

I'm sorry but if Grandma has a 10 year old furnace and all she needs is a new flame sensor, I'm going to repair and sleep well at night instead of lying and making a little bit extra money.

It's called MORALS.

[greenhorn520]

No, it's a small private company. And I understand sales, but some times they aren't there ( read my first post). And if your employees are making an honest effort don't harp on them. Cut your losses and know that it's Damn sure hot enough in the summer to make it up. This is Arizona!

[jpsmith1cm]

Both sides have valid points, I think.

Salesmanship shouldn't be used to mask technical incompetence, and too many times, I believe that it is.

But, one can take the "fix, fix, fix" mentality too far, too. I've spent many an hour busting my back repairing units that are well past their safe, typical service life because a cheap owner refuses to invest in the equipment.

Obviously, the answer lies somewhere in the middle.

[nismo1]

Making the decision to spend the customers money is never the technicians or the contractors place, giving the customer all the info and an educated opinion then letting them decide how to spend there own money is the only moral way to operate. Example: tech walks up" yep this unit is 10 Ten yrs old, u need a new one" he hasn't even opened the panel or put a gauge on, this is unethical and wrong. If customer wishes to put a compressor in said unit given all valid information then that is there choice and there money. This is my opinion and I sell plenty systems and repairs.

[greenhorn520]

I really don't like feeling like our maintenance agreement is partially a ploy to come to people's houses twice a year to try and sell something. It's about checking out the system, letting them know the status and offering options and upgrades, and yes a little maintenance. If I'm not offering that's my fault, but obviously there are slow times in the season, especially when you have 80 degree weather in November. Not to mention I am new, still learning all the different systems and building confidence, plus what I mentioned in my first post. Sure gives me a bad taste and makes me question this career choice. I'm willing to fight through hurdles, but not willing to bend my morals and integrity.

[timebuilder]

You talk like an ignorant kid who always sat in the back of the classroom so he didn't have to learn anything.

Here are the facts:
If no one in an AC co ever sold anything then they'd be out of business. And all techs wanna do is do the easy thing which is fixing units - they never want to do tune-ups or talk to the HO - they just wanna fix AC's ONLY when there's a manifested problem and never a moment sooner even when it's obvious that there's gonna be an issue very soon w/that unit. Why? Because no tech wants to be a "used car salesman" or perceived as one.

I find that unless a unit is relatively new or a lot of work has already been done to it then it's rare that any system is in perfect condition. There are no buts or exceptions, that's simply a fact. So are you gonna be one of those amateurs who never tells anyone what potential issues their system may have or offer solutions to any IAQ challenges?

If this is so then maybe those more truly honest and professional co's aren't for you.

And I'm sooooooo sick of lazy techs who don't want to act or look like pros, who always try to lowball the other guy and then complain about low wages.

I think those techs should just shut up...:

That is truly some funny stuff.

The problem is, you no doubt believe it. That's sad.

[timebuilder]

Making the decision to spend the customers money is never the technicians or the contractors place, giving the customer all the info and an educated opinion then letting them decide how to spend there own money is the only moral way to operate. Example: tech walks up" yep this unit is 10 Ten yrs old, u need a new one" he hasn't even opened the panel or put a gauge on, this is unethical and wrong. If customer wishes to put a compressor in said unit given all valid information then that is there choice and there money. This is my opinion and I sell plenty systems and repairs.

I think you and JP have it right. Sometimes, a replacement IS warranted. That's not what the OP was saying. He is talking about being forced to sell when there is no reason to, because the company says so.

That IS what is wrong with many businesses. Why do you think outfits like Angie's List have sprung up? Because too many outfits cannot be trusted with the interests of the customer.

[timebuilder]

I really don't like feeling like our maintenance agreement is partially a ploy to come to people's houses twice a year to try and sell something. It's about checking out the system, letting them know the status and offering options and upgrades, and yes a little maintenance. If I'm not offering that's my fault, but obviously there are slow times in the season, especially when you have 80 degree weather in November. Not to mention I am new, still learning all the different systems and building confidence, plus what I mentioned in my first post. Sure gives me a bad taste and makes me question this career choice. I'm willing to fight through hurdles, but not willing to bend my morals and integrity.

Young man, I have one word to share:


Commercial.

[syndicated]

Young man, I have one word to share:


Commercial.

+1
I just spent 6 years in residential service/replacement. I got to the point where I was tired of hearing myself saying the same stuff to homeowners. Stuff like "you need to change your filter", "you need to get your equipment maintained so you don't buy flame sensors every 3 years"
It gets frustrating when homeowners lie to you, frustrating to hear the sob stories about other companies.

I just transitioned to commercial about 2 months ago and it is simply the best. The work is steady, the office isn't always calling me in a panic to take more calls all the time, and best of all, no haggling over money anymore. PMs are paid for, installs are billed out and repairs only require a signature.
I'll never look back

[Brent Ridley]

Greenhorn,

Don't loose hope. The HVAC field is a great career choice. You get out of it what you put in it. Find a company that doesn't pressure you for sales and gives you the opportunity to grow as a service technician. Commercial companies aren't so much sales oriented and there is no pressure residential companies out there too. It took myself a couple of companies before I found the one fit my way of thinking and had good business practices.

Stick around this site. There is a lot of great information and guidance for any level HVAC tech.

[greenhorn520]

Thanks guys, hopefully I can stick with it and get through this horse crap.

[Trehak01]

+1
I just spent 6 years in residential service/replacement. I got to the point where I was tired of hearing myself saying the same stuff to homeowners. Stuff like "you need to change your filter", "you need to get your equipment maintained so you don't buy flame sensors every 3 years"
It gets frustrating when homeowners lie to you, frustrating to hear the sob stories about other companies.

I just transitioned to commercial about 2 months ago and it is simply the best. The work is steady, the office isn't always calling me in a panic to take more calls all the time, and best of all, no haggling over money anymore. PMs are paid for, installs are billed out and repairs only require a signature.
I'll never look back

Ditto I do both resid and comm. I work for a very honest company that dont really push sales on you like other companies do. Residential companies are to greedy. over charging for caps and UV lights. I hate going to a new customers house and seeing 4 UV lights installed because the prev used scare tactics to force them into buying them. that puts a bad name on our profession. stop the greed and be honest with your self.

[SgtBone]

Hey Brent you left the biggest culprit off your list.....Sears is the worst. My manager told me last week that when it gets slow ill be the first to get laid off, and in the same breath said that I have more technical skills and knowledge than some of his 10 year techs. I worked for the most reputable resi company in Va Beach and loved it. Integrity and craftsmanship were first with them. Then we moved to Nc and I started with sears and have hated it since. I refuse to lower myself and it will probably cost me my job. One day ill find a good company.

[CTrojano1214]

I couldn't agree more. I recently moved into a new home, renting, I wasnt getting hot water in the master bathe. Called the homeowners techs to come out. He comes in, turns the water on, takes a look at the water heater goes to his truck and tells me he needs a new water heater. Meanwhile I'm already calling his boss and asking why he sent a parts changer, not a service TECHNICIAN. So I basically kicked the guy out and told his boss to screw. I looked at the mixer valve, the gasket was worn and it just needed a new valve. SO basically this guy just walked in and walked out and said i need a brand new water heater. I looked at my water heater and its 1 year old perfectly fine. I don't pay the maintenance bill since im renting but i wasnt going to let the home owner be ripped off. I hate these people in this business they ruin everyones reputation.