AC checkup ends with large check to AC company

TAMPA - Estelle Rodman's air conditioning trouble started with a solicitation for a checkup. The 81 year old says World Class Heating and Cooling called to offer her a $29 checkup.  “For 29 dollars, how could I go wrong.” 

The service call ended with a bill for $4,044.00. 

I checked with five different air conditioning companies, all of whom told me the same work should have run Estelle between $800 and $1400.

“Materials and all added together probably $1000 -- $1200 tops.'  I showed Estelle's invoice to Francisco Aguirre with Pure Air. While Pure Air is not a direct competitor in that it does not sell AC units, it is a licensed and certified company that specializes in indoor air quality issues.

We wanted a professional opinion on the work performed at Estelle Rodman's home.

According to the World Class bill, their technician replaced 8 ceiling vents throughout the house.  In the attic he relocated an existing UV light and installed a new UV purification system that is suppose to deter mold.

Pinellas County Justice and Consumer Services reports 17 consumer complaints against World Class Heating and Cooliing. They are in the top 3 in AC complaints in Pinellas County.

“As the GM of that company, can you give me a breakdown on what you charged.”  I asked World Class's General Manager Wanda Jenkins several times over the phone to provide a breakdown of the charges for materials and labor, but she refused. The company also declined to discuss Estelle's case on camera but said they stand by their work, they've been in business for years and the customer knew the price when they authorized the work.

Pure Air tested a sample they took from the supply air duct in the attic where that new purification system is located. The test results show the presence of mold is 95 percent greater than it should be, indicating the product she paid for is not working.

Estelle now wishes she would have never taken their call. “It was a lot of money I thought it was ridiculous and I felt I was being taken advantage of.”

This is the email World Class Heating and Cooling sent regarding our story.

"We feel like we have been ambushed by this report by ABC Action News. This is a bias and unfair report as we have not been given an opportunity to respond to this inquest. I declined your on air interview due to the fact your questions were vague and set with the tone that our company was at fault before you (Jackie Callaway) completed your investigation. We have never received information regarding a formal complaint of what exactly the issues that this customer had. In your email to me today, you (Jackie Callaway) stated that a sample from the air duct was taken. We did not at any time do work on her ducts, if mold is present now, it has always been present prior to our work being conducted. When I spoke to you (Jackie Callaway) on the telephone you(Jackie Callaway) were very vague about the true nature of this complaint. You (Jackie Callaway) refused to give me details regarding what type of complaint this consumer really had."

Wanda Jenkins
General Manager