Just been told Bank America is in HVAC business? True?

[nehps]

I just recieved a letter about a meeting for all us HVAC Contractors, and what we can do about Lowes, Home Depot,Walmart, and Bank of America. It says Bank America is in the hvac biz. Posssibly under the name One Hour Airconditioning and Heating, is this true? I just applied for a refi with them, I cant believe that a bank would get into the hvac biz, if so they must think theres alot of $$$$$$ to be made.

[cde72]

I've seen "one hour..." trucks.... So, I know thats a real biz, but a bank getting into hvac???

[aircooled53]

Originally posted by nehps
I just recieved a letter about a meeting for all us HVAC Contractors, and what we can do about Lowes, Home Depot,Walmart, and Bank of America. It says Bank America is in the hvac biz. Posssibly under the name One Hour Airconditioning and Heating, is this true? I just applied for a refi with them, I cant believe that a bank would get into the hvac biz, if so they must think theres alot of $$$$$$ to be made.

Bank Of America may have been the bank who loaned the money but there are regulations in the banking business to require them to follow guidelines state. I know that they buy out other banks savings and loans but never heard of hvac companys.

[johnsp]

They're probably behind some low finance deals on the equipment through the above listed reps.

[billva]

Originally posted by johnsp
They're probably behind some low finance deals on the equipment through the above listed reps.

i think you meant high instead of low. if it wasn't lucrative, they wouldn't do it.

[nehps]

Like I said I did recieve in my P.O> Box a post card that says are you worried about Bank of America, Walmart, H.D. and Lowes now that there in the hvac field (oh ya, and the Utility Co.'s) then it said if I want to atend the meeting to help trying to stop them, the meeting is in Tampa Fl. at the Clarion Hotel it says $139.00 for the nite. Its in March 2005

[HVAC Pro]

How many utilities and other starched collars have tried wetting their feet in the HVAC industry? It doesn't take them long to figure out that this industry requires true [/b]craftsmen[/b] and that they can't be bought and sold. (Atleast not all of us.) It does nothing but drive up our value. I say bring them and their deep pockets on. They have the $$$$$$$ and we have the talent.

[pstu]

We know some of those big names want to do HVAC work, but Walmart sounds iffy and Bank of America just sounds plain goofy. I would bet at the least, that BOA will not be in this business. But let us know what you find out, this is an interesting letter.

Best wishes -- P.Student

[mr big]

Open a new 5 year CD & get a new Heat Pump absolutely free! Expand your Cd to 10 years & get an electronic air cleaner, a UV light & a HRV for free! Stay comfortable with more money in your pocket with Bank of America; your cash & comfort headquarters!

[pstu]

Is this for real? How big a CD, how big a heat pump and what kind?

They used to give away toasters but I don't think they really threatened the toaster market. Your HVAC system is not an appliance although many people would like it to be.

Regards -- P.Student

[Edited by perpetual_student on 02-05-2005 at 02:25 PM]

[coldspot]

Originally posted by nehps
I just recieved a letter about a meeting for all us HVAC Contractors, and what we can do about Lowes, Home Depot,Walmart, and Bank of America. It says Bank America is in the hvac biz. Posssibly under the name One Hour Airconditioning and Heating, is this true? I just applied for a refi with them, I cant believe that a bank would get into the hvac biz, if so they must think theres alot of $$$$$$ to be made.

I know theirs one hour a/c in Las Vegas Nevada, but i thought that was done through sap pros financing?

[wornout]

I also recieved the post card. Return address is
Lon Cassel
Venvest Inc.
2 North Tamiami Trail Suite 806
Sarasota, Fl 34236

Does anyone know who these guys are? I bet, there trying to make money off the HVAC Contractor, not protect us! Maybe I am just paranoid!

[chilledcool]

It looks like they are selling Franchises for One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating.
Check their Website http://www.venvestinc.com/.

[sgosine577]

"Always on time or you don't pay a dime" Always there in one hour. Hell I am always a few minutes late. I will go out of business if I have to be there in 1 hour because of traffic and other factors.

[coldspot]

Originally posted by sgosine577
"Always on time or you don't pay a dime" Always there in one hour. Hell I am always a few minutes late. I will go out of business if I have to be there in 1 hour because of traffic and other factors.

THere's always a catch or gimmick, its called bait and switch, offer them somthing and make a small catch phrase so you dont have to honor the false ad, as long as their is an asterisk and a fine print allowing the blind lazy consumer the chance to read the tiny words before he commits himself to a lie or a half truth, which ever is politcally correct or just plain honest business practice! I believe it was right now airconditioning is financed by sap pros in vegas.

[Special Ed]

Coldspot, you're throwin' around a lot of co. names in Vegas. You from there? I happen to know the owners & some of the employees of RightNow Air. I also know the owners of Quality Service Co., aka, One Hour.

[fat eddy]

Yeah and then they'll find out what a lot of other consolidation companies find out, that there market is limited to chain store type accounts,they don't do well with larger mechanicals because you can't buy a relationship which is how most of that business is done.

[Carnak]

Originally posted by sgosine577
"Always on time or you don't pay a dime" Always there in one hour. Hell I am always a few minutes late. I will go out of business if I have to be there in 1 hour because of traffic and other factors.

Lol, if the don't come in the first hour they are not coming.

[berad]

I wonder if that would be the same Lon Cassel that used to be a partial owner of Chief Bauer which sold to Service Experts, who as we all know was bought by Lennox. (Where I used to work--after he left)

Seems like a pretty unique name to come up twice in this industry related to HVAC franchises. Especially since he "retired" to Florida last I heard.

I couldn't find anything in the company profile about Lon but Rebecca Cassel is the Senior V.P. of franchise operations.

[Twoolman]

You can bet your last dollar this is the same Lon Cassell.
He was heavily involved with Service Experts as a buyout franchise.He then became involved with Airtime 500 which is a consulting firm to HVAC business owners. It is the same song and dance with all of these people. They try to tell you how you can get rich by flim flam of the customer instead of just doing quality work for a fair price. I worked for an SE company and then got stuck with an Airtime 500 company. The "One Hour" deal was being started when I left and the claim they told me was that we would be there within one hour of the scheduled show up time, not one hour from the time of the call for service. All of these outfits are a joke and an insult to the honest HVAC trade. Period!