Part I Recap - My AC went out.  Tech 1 came to fix but fix lasted less than 2 weeks.  Tech 2 came out.  He could not find the problem but refilled my freon.  That lasted less than 2 days.  Tech 3 came out and said the problem was the condenser coil and quoted me $1100 to fix for labor only.  Now back to my story.....

Back to the Story:  Needless to say I was not to happy.  I attempted to contact tech 1 again but was unable to do so.  I goggled his name to see if he had another number posted on-line, but instead found out that he has a criminal past that included voluntary manslaughter among other things.  HUH?  Well, I'm not calling him back.

Tech 2 to the rescue:  I called tech 2 back and explained the situation to include the quote from tech 3.  He said his truck was in the shop and should be out tonight or tomorrow.  He told me he could possibly fix it if it was a coil problem and only charge me $425 to do so including the freon charge.  He said if he could not fix it he would not charge me anything and would replace the coil for nearly the same price.  It was a chance I was willing to take given the better price he quoted me.  I went back to my friends last night hoping to hear from him on Tuesday (today).

Problem found:  But, instead, he called me at 8pm last night.  He got his truck out and said he would meet me at my house to fix the problem.  When I asked how he would see this late at night, he said "Mr Edison invented the light bulb and we would utilize it."  I liked his attitude.  He got to my house around 8:30pm and starting diagnosing the problem.  What he found amazed me and infuriated me at the same time.  The problem was not the coil as tech 3 suggested.  Two pipes in the condenser that should not be touching each other had somehow managed to press against one another and the heat coming from each seared each one so that a leak was made.  Tech 2 removed the freon from the unit, utilized a soldering iron to mend the pipes, and then refilled it with freon. 

The Bottom Line:  To top it all off, he only charged me an additional $300 total.  He added the $125 I had already gave him to make a total of $425.  That is much better than the 1100 the other company quoted me and he actually fixed the problem.  That is something I'm not sure the other company would have done by simply replacing the coil.  The entire scenario has exhausted me but at least I now have someone I feel I can trust in the AC world.  Anyone who would go above and beyond and not cheat me even when he had the chance to do so, speaks volumes to me.  I later learned that we had a common thread.  He is a retired military man (Army).  His work ethic and integrity are still deeply rooted within him. 

Our house is once again cool and my family is happy.  Our Southern Gold has its luster once again.

If you are in the Charleston SC Area and need AC work don't hesitate to call "After Hours Service," owner Lonnie James at 843-991-1171 and tell I recommended him to you.