Thermo King Service problems Again! Rip off pricing...

I wrote about TKS Services in Stockton, and about Joey, the service manager there. This place welcomes the owner operator to sign his vehicle away into their care, then calls later with an "estimate" that is a multiple of what the cost should be. You know the game...$75 sensor costs $800- to diagnose and install, and when misc parts and taxes are included the bill is $1200. Welcome to ThermoKing.

The last time I wrote, corporate apparently saw fit to slap Joey's wrist, but it stung enough to make him drop the used car salesman angry voice routine when presenting the price estimates.

Now I have another Thermoking qualified mechanic servicing my unit. Recently though, the dealership wouldn't sell a three way valve rebuild kit, by claiming it was their last one in stock. The mechanic got an estimate of $300- parts and labor for the repair, and arranged for me to take it to TKS. Reluctantly, I returned to meet Joey.

No work was done until the next day, and so I called at 9:30 am. Joey says he has to "work up the repair estimate" and promises to call in a few minutes. He calls in like 5 minutes telling me the replacement of the three way valve--the original mechanic diagnostic was correct--will cost$1,100-.

I told him this $300 to $1,100- was unacceptable, and I got off the phone to call the corporate offices. Thermo King service complaint department is not very responsive, so we are still working on a resolution right now. My mechanic is calling now to help with the situation...more about this later, stay tuned

 

Ok, Thermo King corporate finally registered a complaint from this customer, acknowledging it by email. I was told a representative would contact me within 48 hours. So, between my mechanic and Thermoking the trailer will be in the shop for more than a week before corporate finds time to help resolve the dispute...This unit has a recent motor, compressor, and various other parts changed within the last two years. The unit shouldn't need so much attention during peak season...

 

Update: Joey faxed me a new modified estimate, which I will report on later. Meanwhile, I was able to reach a guy at the corporate level who carefully listened to my complaint, explained the typical problems associated with the worn 3-way freon valve, then basically agreed that the original $1,100- estimate was maybe double what it should be. I him that in my last conversation with Joey he gave me an ultimatum to either settle at his terms or face additional charges for trailer storage. The corp guy promised to help resolve the dispute...