NBR: WWYD regarding HVAC contractor? (long)

prolixity

So my central A/C was running but wasn't blowing any air at all about a month ago.  I called an HVAC contractor out and he told me that I had a dirty coil and it either needed to be cleaned for $500 or replaced for $1100.  I guess the type of coil that I have is discontinued so he told me that if I didn't replace it now that I would have the same problem in a year or two and would have to buy a whole new A/C system for $2,500+.  So I decided to buy a new coil.  He never mentioned anything at this time about the coil being non-returnable.

Within three hours after he left the A/C began working again and has been working fine since (over a month ago).  I called the contractor to tell him that it was working and didn't need the coil afterall and he now says that the coil is non-returnable and I am stuck buying it.  He said that he would check with the manufacturer to see if he can return it but no guarantees.

Well, he calls again yesterday and totally yells at me and calls me a liar because he claims that he told me it was non-returnable during the first call.  By the way, there is NOTHING in writing.  No contract, no sales agreement, no work order...  I didn't even get a business card.  So he is yelling at me and telling me that he knows he would lose in small claims court because nothing is in writing but it would be worth $1,100 for him to see my lie in court in front of a judge under oath.

He said if I wrote a letter saying that he was professional, gave me the options and told me that it was non-returnable, and then I decided not to buy the coil because I can't AFFORD it (this pisses me of...  I can afford it but I don't want to throw money out the window on something that is working) that he would write something saying that he wouldn't take me to small claims court.  If I write this letter for him I would be lying.

What would you guys do in this situation?  I think he is trying to trick me into putting something in writing so he can sue me because he doesn't have a contract.

UGH!  Thanks for your input!

  

BartsGirl

DO NOT WRITE THE LETTER.

 

He is a schemer and is trying to rip you off.  I would tell him that he need not contact you again and if he does you are calling the police about harrassment.  He knows he is screwed and is trying to make you pay for his mistake...no freaking way.

jenifairies

don't write a letter, don't pay him a dime.

i'm not an hvac guy, but if a coil's dirty, you clean it. you don't replace it to the tune of $1k.

Brit1017

Don't write anything! Ignore him- you have no obligations to him and he can't prove that you do.

vanillacourage

Don't write anything.  He's just trying to badger you with the talk about small claims court.  Tell him that since you didn't sign a purchase order or any other form of paperwork, you're not liable for anything.  If he keeps contacting you, first report him to the Better Business Bureau and then the cops (if his tone is still harassing). 

In the future, get at least 2 quotes, preferably 3 before you spend that kind of money. 

Edited to add - did you call him in the 3 hours after it stopped working (when it started again), or did you call him a month later?  If you waited quite a while then you may be on the hook for a restocking fee.