My experience hiring some help to fix my AC unit

[flyingsaucersarereal]

Hi there,

Recently I had a problem with my AC unit needing to get some service. My wife had called a repairman to come and fix the unit. They said they would be there at 1 pm at 5pm approx they showed up after numerous unanswered calls by myself. Two men showed up one about 18 years old and the other probably in his 50's. I showed them where the AC unit was and the 18 year old started to take the unit apart like he should. The older Thai gentleman asked me if I had some water because he was thirsty (not my job to supply water for you but ok no problem here you go.) He then lights up a cigarette up in my apartment like it is no big deal. I told him to please smoke outside because I don't smoke and would appreciate it. So he takes his time and walks outside. Soon after the 18 year old working on the AC unit needed some help so the older gentleman walks over to him to assist with the cigarette lit in his hand still. I had to ask him again to please stand outside and don't smoke in my house. The AC job which should have taken a hour at tops was pushing on 2 hours because after the unit was taken apart they couldn't figure out how to hook it back up. The whole time they are making a complete mess with water spilling all over my floor. So my question is if you don't yell at someone what is the best option to handle this situation in Thailand? Thanks.

[ukrules]

Did they take their shoes off when they came in ?

[flyingsaucersarereal]

Yes

[ukrules]

Yes

So it's not like they were completely disrespecting you, they were probably just a pair of idiots.

If the AC now works you got what you needed, just don't use them again. Withholding future business is always a way of making people pay, even if they don't realise it.

I've heard lots of stories of unprofessional behaviour like this over the years, it's almost like those involved have no concept of customer service.

[namdocmai]

The best way to deal with this is let the wife take care of it totally. Saves you much stress and you have to pay it anyway.

And if the aircons are old start looking for a new one. They have to be cleaned a few times a year, that's important.

[pmarlin]

What a AC tech can fix in one 1hr trip back in the States takes 3 or 4 visits here for some reason, Also, the repair often doesn't last longer than a few months.

[Naam]

What a AC tech can fix in one 1hr trip back in the States takes 3 or 4 visits here for some reason, Also, the repair often doesn't last longer than a few months.

an unwarranted generalisation.

[samran]

Geez, and here I was hiring an aircon repair company to come fix things professionally.

Back home you wouldn't hire two random guys off the street. Why people insist on it here is quite perplexing.

[pmarlin]

What a AC tech can fix in one 1hr trip back in the States takes 3 or 4 visits here for some reason, Also, the repair often doesn't last longer than a few months.

an unwarranted generalisation.

You wouldn't know

[Naam]

What a AC tech can fix in one 1hr trip back in the States takes 3 or 4 visits here for some reason, Also, the repair often doesn't last longer than a few months.

an unwarranted generalisation.

You wouldn't know

we lived 15 years in the states (Florida) from 1989 till 2004.

[ricklev]

I've been looking for a competent AC repair company for weeks. No luck at all. One moron after another although they usually come in pairs.

If anyone knows the name and number of someone capable of basic AC repairs it would be much appreciated.

The most dangerous thing with AC in Thailand is to have an intermittent problem or for it to be blowing air that's cold, but not as cold as it should be. It apparently requires a level of technologically sophisticated thought process I haven't been able to access.

Edited July 12, 2014 by ricklev

[iSabai]

Maybe it's just me, but I'm wondering why this dude (OP) marries a Thai gal, then posts here wanting to know why anyone would marry a Thai gal.

Then has in-law problems, which should probably have been worked out before he married the Thai gal, and/or for sure should have worked it out for himself once he had already married this Thai gal.

Then can't seem to get an air con unit fixed competently (by competent non-smokers of course), in a city where there's hundreds of thousands (probably millions) of A/C units being used regularly and running perfectly all or most of the time.

Troll posts senses tingling…

[flyingsaucersarereal]

Thanks for being such a active reader of all my posts.

[WorriedNoodle]

With regards the smoking, the offender would have been in a choke hold and escorted to the exit on ignoring the first warning.