Final Update on ADHD installer

[Deleted]

Our a/c started leaking a couple of days ago. We were running it for the humidity when we noticed a puddle of water in the basement around the unit.

I did my Angie's List due diligence and found one of the apparently "best" companies in the area. They looked pricey, but they had great reviews. DH set up a service call.

The unit is freezing up and needs refrigerant or Freon or whatever. They can put it in for $500, and we can hope for the best. The unit is 19 years old so the particular coolant is really expensive because it isn't used any more in newer units. (Or maybe it was it isn't used more because it is really expensive.) They can replace the coils, which is usually the source of the leak, for $2500.  Neither repair is guaranteed.

Or we can replace the ac.  We have an ac and a gas furnace.  To replace just the ac with the builder-grade Trane was $4700.  There is some rerouting because DH built a deck on top of the current unit (you have to crawl on your knees to service it).  They'd be adding a second vent to a bedroom that doesn't cool well.  That sort of stuff.  Or I can replace the 19-year-old ac and furnace with the next level up (if I'm going to replace both, I'm not going builder's grade) for $8300.

I'm ok with the price.  I think we might do better (and we will see), but this is a really reputable place.  I have no problem with that.  But . . . the guy drove us nuts!  He admitted he was severely ADHD.  We would be talking about one thing, and then he would whip out pictures of the kids and tell me about how his ex-wife dumped them on his doorstep and how angry he was. 

He kept offering options, options, options, and I kept asking for prices, prices, prices.  Sure, a four-ton might be better than a three-and-a-half, but I have the three-and-a-half.   How much does it cost?  Sure a variable speed system would be nice, but how much does it cost?  I wanted him to figure out what we needed and offer me two prices . . . one for the basic, rerouted ac and one for the upgraded replacement of both ac and gas furnace.

It took TWO hours to get to that point.   DH would go nuts if the guy did the installation.  I would go nuts as well, and I deal with ADHD kids all the time.  The price didn't bother me because I do think they are really reputable.  But we couldn't deal with him again.

He asked for feedback on his presentation, and I was fairly honest.  I told him I was more linear and like to deal with numbers when I'm examining my options.  I can't determine my options and then look at the number.  That's when he told me he is severely ADHD.  I felt badly because that is a disability.  But he drove us nuts!!!

We won't use this company because we can't deal with him.  He may be a great installer, but they shouldn't let him do "sales" calls like this.

Comments?

[lazysundays]

He may get great reviews because some people love the small talk. So linear... What, you from NY or something? It would drive me crazy too.

[Cookies Galore]

I wouldn't use him because he brought his kids and ex into the conversation. I hate that. Personal stories/anecdotes don't work on me, and I honestly don't care enough to listen. ADHD or not, if he annoyed the heck out of you then don't use him.

[Deleted]

I have days when I'm perfectly fine, and days when I just can't hold it all together. If you didn't know me and just met me on an off day, you might wonder why I've not been committed... Maybe he was having an off day... 

(I probably have more off days then I want to admit...  )

[Deleted]

May 1, 2014 19:28:46 GMT -5 oped said:

I have days when I'm perfectly fine, and days when I just can't hold it all together. If you didn't know me and just met me on an off day, you might wonder why I've not been committed... Maybe he was having an off day... 

(I probably have more off days then I want to admit...  )

LOL.  My son-in-law has ADHD, and he is a lawyer. There are medicines for controlling it.

It took him 15 minutes to tell us what was wrong with it (I paid for that).  It shouldn't have taken him 2 hours to tell us how to much it would cost to fix it.

He shouldn't be allowed to do sales.  He may be an awesome installer, though.  But I don't think DH could live through it, and he is the project manager in our household.

[Deleted]

I don't consider myself ADHD, and I'm not a med person ... But most of the time I do structure life so as to take advantage of my strengths and mitigate my, uh, not strengths? sometimes though, crap happens. 

I hope you find a person who better fits your needs. I think its important to feel comfortable with the people you hire.

[Deleted]

Ok, I totally misread your post, Oped, because I thought you were saying YOU were ADHD.

I am very sensitive to the issue because I teach a lot of kids with it, and (as I said) my son-in-law has it.  I truly felt bad for rejecting someone because of a "disability."

But if the disability makes it impossible for us to work with the person, you are right. We should find someone we are comfortable with.

That statement really bothered me as I typed it. Lol.

[milee]

May 1, 2014 19:46:58 GMT -5 oped said:

I don't consider myself ADHD

That's because you're a person, not a condition or diagnosis.  I'm not picking on you because I know this is just common vernacular now, but it's odd to me that it's become the norm to not only label people as having a diagnosis, but to imply it's so all-encompassing that they ARE that condition.  I have two boys that have ADHD, but that's a condition they have (and we do both behavioural modifications and recently medication to help mitigate certain issues) not something they actually are. 

As for not being a "med person", I'm not either.  But sometimes you do what you gotta do for their self esteem, your own sanity and the sanity of everybody around them.

Susana's example is a good one.  This sounds like a guy whose ADHD truly impacts his ability to function.  If behavioural therapies don't work or aren't enough to make his interactions appropriate but he could take medication that would make it easier for him to interact appropriately with others, get his work done efficiently and allow him to focus, why shouldn't that be something to consider?  Do we really think this guy enjoys the fact that he can't seem to get quotes done in a normal amount of time or that people find him difficult to deal with? 

Back to the OP - Susana, it's normal and understandable that you don't want to deal with that sort of contractor, so I hope you find one that you can work with.  FWIW, I agree it doesn't make sense to spend $500 on a band aid fix on a 19 year old system - better to bite the bullet and get new AC.  As for the furnace, though, not sure why that would need to be replaced at the same time.  Unless you're looking to replace the AC with a combination unit like a heat pump?

[milee]

May 1, 2014 20:06:45 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

Ok, I totally misread your post, Oped, because I thought you were saying YOU were ADHD.

I am very sensitive to the issue because I teach a lot of kids with it, and (as I said) my son-in-law has it.  I truly felt bad for rejecting someone because of a "disability."

But if the disability makes it impossible for us to work with the person, you are right. We should find someone we are comfortable with.

That statement really bothered me as I typed it. Lol.

We were obviously typing our responses at the same time...

Although I agree that these are people, not a condition, you should be working with someone you feel comfortable with. This guy isn't it and there's nothing wrong with you picking someone you can communicate more effectively with.

[Deleted]

My personality and brain function in a manner consistent with what some might consider in making such a diagnosis. I just don't consider my personality/brain functioning to be disordered. If that makes sense. 

I definitely think you should get someone you feel comfortable with! 

I was just trying to offer a possible reason that might reconcile your impressions with consistently good reviews... Ie. It might have been an off day for him...

[Deleted]

Milee, the furnace is also 19-years-old. Although it might last a few more years, if I am going to replace one, I'd like to replace the other.

Dh gave me a "talk" about putting money into this house when we want to sell it in five years. (See, we are retiring somewhere else . . . LOL). I explained to him that the buyers would expect it to have a "newer" hvac system . . . not one that is more than 25 years old (if we could get it to there). So he agreed.

Different subject, but we also talked about replacing the flooring, which is probably close to 20 years old also. We decided that we would replace it in five years when we want to sell. It would be stupid to replace it now just because it is a little worn out. It can still be cleaned, etc.

Florida (or NM or AZ or somewhere) here we come!

[truthbound]

Most people diagnosed with ADDDHDHDDDDHD don't actually have it. That aside if they did a good job yes I would.

[KaraBoo]

DH is ADHD and takes FOREVER to do a project!!  I have to factor in "his" time to do a project and not "my" time when planning.

DH will ask me if I think he's ADHD and then get offended when I respond with a resounding "YES"!! His response will be, "I've been like this for over 40 years and have gotten along just fine, I'm not going to do anything different at this point."

The issue is - even on a "good" day for him, he's not operating at a level that others around him would consider normal. He's incredibly slow - even at the things he is good at because he's having to constantly redirect his mind. He's great at what he does, but when it takes him 2 hours to do a job that would take another installer 30 minutes to an hour, it gets noticed.

I deal with it because I have to since he's my DH - but if I was hiring someone to do the work, I'd be finding someone else.  

[Deleted]

We got a call from the company on Friday.  It told us that "Johnny" normally doesn't do presentations.  We didn't complain.  Johnny must have shared my feedback, or else the company knows Johnny well.It was just a message on the answering machine, but apparently there are "specials" and promotions that Johnny was unaware of that would bring the cost down.  In any case, Johnny forgot to get the information they needed if we decided to do a basic fix.  We paid for a service call (only $59) that we essentially didn't get.  I paid it without arguing to make Johnny go away.We are still trying to decide what to do.  The company has great reviews on Angie's list, and a lot of reviews.  They aren't reviewing Johnny; they are reviewing the company.  If I felt comfortable in asking them to send another technician, I'd be willing to talk with them again.  I don't know if I feel comfortable doing that, though.  Johnny can't help his disability.  But I also think it would be impossible for Johnny and DH to work together.  DH was a hospital project manager most of his adult life.  He has certain standards of professionalism.We do have a deadline because my sister has scheduled a visit in June.  It has to be done by then.

[truthbound]

And still yes.

[Deleted]

A representative of the company came out today. He looked at the situation and said he would recommend they send a technician out to see if there is anything wrong with the system. 

He also told us that they fired the guy.  He prefaced it by saying that he didn't want us to think it was just because of us.  That's good because we didn't call and complain.    But  there's a pattern with "Johnny," and they just had to let him go before he completely damaged their reputation.

We felt a little bad although, like I said, we didn't call to complain.  However, DH did say, when the guy called to set up the second appointment, that he could not work with Johnny, period.

[Deleted]

I can't help but feel sadly / badly that "Johnny" was fired, but I probably wouldn't have wanted to deal with him either. 

I think that "Johnny" might have been good at some aspect of things (maybe filing notes? Data entry? Billing? Dunno) so I do think it's sad that they let him go rather than spend even a bit of time trying to find out what he'd be good at, since THEY HIRED HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE. 

Also, no offense SS, but my guess is that given your experience as a teacher, you probably would have found a way around this. I'm not saying you should have, but I'm assuming you MAY feel that way, since you're posting the update. 

It certainly looks like you weren't the first people to complain about this guy, but it does seem like you were their last straw.

But, to be honest, although we know you work (hard) and your DH is a SAH husband, I'm beginning to wonder how adept your DH is at dealing with difficult situations. I know the neighbors and the fence and the dog issue was difficult, the car accident was difficult, and now this issue is difficult too.

I know you plan to continue to work at your job for another X years and let your DH deal with everything on the home front, but I'm not sure he's up to dealing with everything in the manner you think is best. 

[Deleted]

You might be right, Debt, about DH, but I rather suspect it's just the opposite.  I might have cut the guy more slack whereas DH won't because he was a hospital project manager.  He is used to a certain level of professionalism that doesn't make allowances for stuff like ADHD.

Talking to the guy's boss (because that's what we assume he was), we learned that Johnny made a lot of basic mistakes.  I think that was what DH was picking up on; he sensed that the guy really didn't know what he was talking about.  

It's probably really the opposite.  I'm used to dealing with unlicensed good old boys.  You probably don't have those in France.  DH is all about permits and doing stuff right, which is a little harder to pull off in our neck of the woods.  

ETA:  I don't think all of the situations you list have been difficult because of DH.  He did get upset about the neighbor's dog (he does have severe osteoporosis) and talked inappropriately to the neighbor's teenage kid.  That's about it.  The other part about the neighbor was the mom getting arrested and having all the sheriff's dept looking for her . . . not DH's fault.  The fence wasn't difficult; I talked about how excited we were that they built it.  The accident wasn't particularly difficult except that it was a hit-and-run so I wondered if our rates would go up (I still do).  He went to the ER because he couldn't breathe, but that's just his health.  The insurance company fixed his car just the way he wanted it and at the BMW dealership.  The only difficulty there was sharing a car, but that's because I like to be at work more around 6 a.m.  That's actually insane, as my friends will quickly tell you. 

I post stuff to get opinions, but that doesn't make them in themselves difficult situations.  Even posting about the ADHD worker was a lot about how uncomfortable it made ME to complain about a disability.     

I think DH is a great project manager.  I honestly couldn't make it without him.  I don't have a flexible job.

[Deleted]

Have DH call the company and ask for Johnny the installer. See if they really let him go, or if they are just feeding you a line to get you to buy the system from them. Then make your decision.

[Deleted]

The company sent out a technician today. Our unit was low on refrigerant (or whatever), but it was also leaking refrigerant from the place where they test to see if it was leaking refrigerant. It was missing the cap there as well.

It could have been leaking and missing the cap from the beginning, but the company was going to "side" with us and believe that it was the result of Johnny being "all over the place" that day.

They added refrigerant and replaced the cap that would stop the leak at the testing site.  The unit has been running fine.  My guess is that the pipe became disconnected or loose from the pump.  DH didn't know what to do with it so he put it into a bucket where it overflowed.  Lol.  He admits that's how it got into the bucket.

He suggested we get "prepared" to replace it, but we aren't there yet.

ETA: There was no additional charge.  Remember that we paid for a service call with "Johnny."

[Deleted]

SS, my apologies to you and your DH. 

[Blonde Granny]

Tick Tock....here I sit awaiting a call back for a 6 mo old system. For whatever reason, our builder never wanted to tell us who installed this HVAC system.  He was my first call when I discovered the AC is no longer working. Compressor -check, Fan-check, air flow - nada!! I finally had to tell the builder I wanted the name and phone number so I could call. Not to certain old Ralph is happy with me about now.

Thank goodness this storm system is bringing a cold front through tonight.

on a side note: I'd get the whole HVAC replaced now and enjoy worry free winters and summers for a few years. You're right about someone buying 25 year old HVAC. I'd also get the flooring replaced now to. If you're going to spend the money eventually, why not enjoy your next 5 years or so in your house? Why give the new stuff to someone else? Aren't you more important than some anonymous house buyer? If you're paying for it, enjoy it.

[Deleted]

May 12, 2014 17:51:55 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

Tick Tock....here I sit awaiting a call back for a 6 mo old system. For whatever reason, our builder never wanted to tell us who installed this HVAC system.  He was my first call when I discovered the AC is no longer working. Compressor -check, Fan-check, air flow - nada!! I finally had to tell the builder I wanted the name and phone number so I could call. Not to certain old Ralph is happy with me about now.

Thank goodness this storm system is bringing a cold front through tonight.

on a side note: I'd get the whole HVAC replaced now and enjoy worry free winters and summers for a few years. You're right about someone buying 25 year old HVAC. I'd also get the flooring replaced now to. If you're going to spend the money eventually, why not enjoy your next 5 years or so in your house? Why give the new stuff to someone else? Aren't you more important than some anonymous house buyer? If you're paying for it, enjoy it.

We only have X amount of maintenance dollars to spend at one time. I can and do take money out of personal savings, but basically there is $6000 a year budgeted for maintenance. Remember that I earn $60,000 a year, and DH brings home $23,000 of SS.

So we'd like to work on the flooring issue now and work on the HVAC system in a year or so. We are relatively "easy" on a system. DH is too thin so he gets cold easily. The a/c goes on about 10 a.m. and goes off about 8 p.m. or so.

Some of us can't do everything at once. I'm not doing a 0% credit card or a HELOC or whatever. We are strictly cash as we go, and I won't touch the retirement money until I have to. So we have to make choices, BlondeGranny.  And that's fine.

[Deleted]

May 12, 2014 17:40:41 GMT -5 @debthaven2 said:

SS, my apologies to you and your DH. 

Lol, Debthaven.  Nothing to apologize for; you tell it as it is but nicely. We are always and forever friends, mon amie. 

(Did I do the French right? It has only been 46 years!)

[Deleted]

Thanks SS And yes you did!