Professional Member
Walking through costco today I noticed that they are now offering Lennox heating and air systems.
The strange part is that it seems like a Costco representative comes out and does a load calc. You buy the equipment through Costco, then an lennox installer comes out to install the equipment.
This seems like a bad idea because the end user has know idea how good or bad the installer will be.
I'm curious to know if any of you have inside information on whether this is a legit service, or run away. I'm a huge costco fan, and try to buy everything i can through costco.
Professional Member*
Why would you want to deal with a big box company for something as personal as a heating or AC system for your home? I'd highly recommend contacting as many companies as it takes to find the right local company for you. Attachments included for your use.
If YOU want change, YOU have to first change.
If you are waiting for the 'other guy' to change first, just remember, you're the 'other guy's' other guy. To continue to expect real change when you keep acting the same way as always, is folly. Won't happen. Real change will only happen when a majority of the people change the way they vote!
Professional Member
Does Costcohave a mechanical contractors license?Originally Posted by djp0623
if they sell the equipment, they have to have a license, even if they are using licensed contractors to install the equipment.
Professional Member*
buying through costco would be the same as home depot, it is an independant dealer that gets the leads from costco and sells the job.
costco adds on their markup and collects the money.
you will get better pricing dealing direct with the dealer.
Professional Member*
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Regular Guest
I don't know guys, starting with a heat load is head and shoulders above the average contractor already. Is the heat load done before any commitment? And does the Costco rep doing the heat load provide oversight on the install?
Professional Member*
Not all load calcs are done the same, and doing one properly requires an understanding of HVAC that only comes from experience.
To say anyone could do a load calc is to say anyone could rebuild an auto engine with a manual... just not a good idea.
Now I hate to burst anyone's bubble, but there are lots of things inherent in a load calc that can render the results WRONG... unless one has enough experience in HVAC to understand what they are doing.
Remember this: Costco is FIRST and FOREMOST a retailer in business to make a profit... the same as HD and Lowes. To expect them to be experts in a VERY complicated field such as HVAC... well that is, IMO, naive.
BTW: I have been a member of Costco since 1999, so I know about them.
GA-HVAC-Tech
Your comfort, Your way, Everyday!
GA's basic rules of home heating and AC upgrades:
*Installation is more important than the brand of equipment
*The duct system keeps the house comfortable; the equipment only heats and cools (and dehumidifies)
*The value of comfort, over the long term; leave economic choices behind!
Choose your contractor wisely!
Professional Member*
Nothing wrong with buying HVAC equipment from Costco.
-Basic info is given at the booth regarding HVAC
-If customer is interested, an appointment is made for a salesman from the installing company to come out, do a load calculation on the home, and provide options and pricing for the HO.
- The installing contractor honors the contract as far as warranty terms go, as well as yearly maintenance on the equipment.
Any issues regarding installation, servicing etc, is done normally directly with the installing contractor.
Pricing is slightly higher when purchasing through Costco, but, depending where you live and who the installing contractor is, it's worth it.
Regular Member
I think you'll find the costco price is lower than dealing with contractors directly. You run the risk of getting a bottom feeder to do the installation but most homeowners run this risk regardless.
Professional Member*
I guess, in terms if pricing, it depends on the market in that area/region. I'm in service, not sales, so I don't really see the pricing to often.
Professional Member
This is exactly what I would be worried about. Does Costco weed out the bottom feeders?
Why exactly is going through costco better? It sounds like a middle man. My experience with costco would suggest that you will get a better price from lower equipment price or costco cash card. However, I'm not willing to sacrifice a quality installation.
It sounds like the luck of the draw. Call costco, lennox rep comes out and does what he/she does, then leaves. You then decide if they are capable of doing a quality install. If they are, then great, take advantage of the costco perks. Cash card, 2% back for executive members, or whatever they are offering.
Usually going through costco gets you a longer warranty. I'll look into it an report back. I'm not holding my breath. I have a contractor selected for an infinity 19 system. As soon as march rolls around (cool cash) I plan on having my system installed.
Regular Guest
I see little advantage of using Costco as a middle man to introduce you to an HVAC contractor. You are either going to pay a higher price to cover Costco's profit, or the contractor has to cut corners in order to compensate for the money going to Costco. There may be a small advantage in the case where the contractor has made an error and Costco pressures him to do fix the problem and make the customer happy.
I don't think anyone working at the Costco home office knows what a bottom feeder looks like in the HVAC business. They are going to verify the contractor is licensed and has no compliants filed with the Better Business Bureau. They have no idea what it take to do a quality installtion.
Professional Member*
why would a contractor who has to give costco a % of the sale price charge more if dealing direct with the customer?????
its an installed hvac system not a big bottle of ketchup they buy by the truckload .....
Regular Guest
Not everyplace in the US has licenses.
Professional Member*
The costco gig is a difficult one to win - they are careful about how they choose their contractors. The contractor has to live up to Costco's rules and standards for their own employees: background checks, tobacco use on site, even down to installers covering their tattoos.
Costco's return policy still applies, so the installing contractor definitely wants to make sure the installation and equipment selection is done properly and the customer is happy, otherwise they could be pulling the whole thing out at their expense.
Costco gets special pricing from Lennox (just like they do from the ketchup and mayonaise manufacturers) and the installing contractor is still making money on these. The customer makes out pretty well, usually with a big costco cash card to go with any manufacturer rebates. The customer pays costco directly (which opens up the contractor to accept American Express without the fees), and costco pays the contractor on completion. Warranties are in place, and everybody wins.
As with any purchase, though, be a smart consumer. If you are not comfortable with the process, or the salesman, then don't sign.
Professional Member*
This sentence is probably the best advise, regardless of what the pro's and con's are.
GA-HVAC-Tech
Your comfort, Your way, Everyday!
GA's basic rules of home heating and AC upgrades:
*Installation is more important than the brand of equipment
*The duct system keeps the house comfortable; the equipment only heats and cools (and dehumidifies)
*The value of comfort, over the long term; leave economic choices behind!
Choose your contractor wisely!
Professional Member*
Since when does a supply house have to have a license to "SELL" a/c and heating equipment? Everyone sells it, look on ebay, craigs list, individuals of of their garages etc. no license required to sell it, and my guess there never will be, this would be an impossible mountain to climb.
__________________________________________________ _______________________
“Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards" ~ Vernon Law
"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." ~ John Wooden
"When the teachers become unteachable we're all in trouble" ~ Mr. Bill
"Remember "Pro" is only a name, it's not always a mindset determined to do everything correctly" ~ Mr. Bill
Regular Guest
as for the box stores, it does have advantages. If something goes wrong, the big company has more leverage with the installation company than the homeowner does to get it fixed. The big box store is concerned about its reputation with its customer, as it sells more than just one product to that customer, and the installation company needs to keep the big company satisfied if they want to continue to get work from them.
Regular Guest
I just had a quote from the Costco ad.
I figured it was a "scam" but I eventually called because Costco was backing it and I have never had a issue with there customer service.
I was so disatisfied with the company that came out and quoted the system, I immediately emailed Costco and suggested they investigate this vendor.
To Costco's credit they contacted me immediately and had a new salesman come out and re-explain the entire program. Didn't change my mind but they tried.
If you lived in a western or souther climate it may be for you but would anyone recommend a 20 Seer solar panel AC unit for a Ohio climate?
That is the AC you have to buy to qualify for this promotion.
BTW - the local provider is actually owned by Lennox.
Professional Member*
My company lost out on a job bidding the same equipment for a long time customer. The customer ended up calling us back out after the job was "done". That is all I will say.
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