Monday, February 18, 2008

The Diatribe


Sorry all, no pretty pictures to accompany this post, no happy words, just pure negativity and hatred for one furnace repair man. Buckle your seat belt folks because I am about to take you on a rant. Ready?

The $6,500 furnace we had installed 5 years ago by the "best in town" is not working. The thing was turning on and off intermittently and was not blowing hot air. Given that it is February in Michigan, I ran right to the phone and called the repair man. He arrived very quickly and was pleasant enough, but as he walked though the door he asked me "to describe what is going on in my own words". My own words? Whose words was I using before? Jerk!

Next he told me that he was going to "educate me about my furnace", which meant he wanted to show me the red flashing light behind a panel - never mind that once I saw the flashing light I would have to call him to repair the thing because it was a "fail to ignite". Ass.

He was down in the basement for a while, so I went to check on his progress. I am never sure if I should stand there and watch or go about my business. What do you do? Anyway, it was then that he told me there was a problem with the gas meter, not the dirty burners as he originally told me. Not to worry, he would run some diagnostic tests just to be sure, but if it was the meter I would have to call the gas company to get them out here to replace it. Well, I have dealt with the gas company and I have even dealt with the gas company concerning malfunctioning meters before and they don't just come out and replace them. I asked what could cause the gas to come through the line, as his meter said it was, but not power up the furnace. Would you like to hear his response? "Heather, I am not going to even attempt to explain it to you because it’s far to complicated". Lout.


What I should have said at this point was: Mister repair man, just because I am a woman and just because I choose to stay home and take care of my children does not mean I am an idiot, so why don't you just try. But, he was a strange man in my house and I would rather not make the 10 o'clock news, so as hard as it was I bit my tongue. At this point, I think my face was about the same color as my hair - red. I explained to him that I would need something to tell the gas company - his response was "just tell them that I was here and it needs to be replaced". Male chauvinist boob!

Well, it turns out it was not the burners, the gas meter, nor the next explanation of the gas valve, but finally it was the electronic panel, oh wait, it was actually the gas valve. So after 5 diagnoses, 3 1/2 hours and a $405 bill, we have steady hot air from an expensive 5 year old furnace. Bonehead.

7 comments:

LivingTheLife said...

I'm laughing so hard...not at you...but of the look you HAD to have on your face when this Male Chauvinist Boob...was talking to you! (I'm picturing an episode of Charlie Brown and the teacher talking ...blah, blah, blah...blah, blah...wha wha wha-aaa) Just makes you want to slap em' doesn't it? He wasn't too smart... he didn't get the diagnosis right in the very beginning...again...too funny...sorry you had to endure...but you did make my day! We've all had those days! Shoot!! I still have them...you should see me when I go in for an oil change...I ALWAYS have a dirty oil filter (do they honestly think I will fall for this EVERY time!)..you know the really dirty one they bring out to show you isn't really yours...they just keep it on hand...thinking we all believe whatever they say! Seriously guys...we are smarter than you can know!

Glad you guys are warm and toasty again.


Blessings...
Teresa

Thimbleanna said...

Nice Rant! And congrats on your restraint -- I can think of several other expletives to accompany your furnaceman names!

Mrs Furious said...

What an A-hole! Seriously.

By the way it is the 19th and I was hoping for some news! ;)

Mary said...

Oh, for goodness sakes! I sincerely hope that on top of all that, you didn't have to deal with "plumber pants" too! :) Glad to hear you are all warm and toasty again!
xox,
Mary

Kim said...

Was this idiot the man who owns the company. If not, I would write the company with a blow by blow of his actions and attitude and report him- I imagine this would not be his first complaint. I would also explain that being a stay-at-home mom I have nothing better to do with my time then to let the other stay-at-home moms know how they run their business. Since we are usually the ones who do the calling and scheduling of services. Also let him know you would be glad to let the others reading your blog know the company's name and location so they won't make the same mistake This may actually make the bill "disappear." Since it was the lack of proper diagnosis on their part that caused much of the bill they should at least reduce it.
I have got a lot of jumping by doctors and businesses when I let them know that my staying at home can cause them more problems then they would ever want.
I know a good rant works wonders, but payback is even better. It also could prevent others from having to go through the same thing.

katiedid said...

LOL! Don't things like this make you grind your teeth at night? I agree with Kim! A little "reality check" goes a long way when presented as a hit to the pocketbook of the business owner. I can definitely relate to you on this one! :)

Glad you have your heat back!

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

I'm so proud of you for not walking up behind him and beating him senseless with a baseball bat while his back was turned! Always figure out a feasible alibi first. But you obviously already thought of that or you would have knocked his head off that day, huh? What a jackass. Too complicated indeed. I consider nuclear physics too complicated. A gas heater? Not so much.
:)
Kari