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Killingtime · 05-11-2025, 03:39 PM

Hey guys.
I don't like posting bad reviews on most services, but I must warn others of this company.
We had just returned from a two week trip, and our dash a/c starting blowing hot air. We are part timers and store our mh in our son's barn near Angleton Texas.
Searching the web, we came up with EZ Mobile RV REPAIR located in Freeport, TX. This company is owned by Dave McMillen.
We chose this service due to good ratings and near our location.

The tech, a really knowledgeable guy, diagnosed the issue within thirty minutes of arrival. It was a leaking dryer on our system, about a $125 item.

This was around noon on Friday, and he said he could be back with the part at two PM. I told him that we had to attend our grandaughter's graduation later that afternoon, but could be back next week.
He said he would be back by tree to complete, but never showed.

I called Dave the owner, and he said it would be the next day at 11:00 to complete. He showed up at 2:00 and completed the job, but didn't have enough freon to complete, so I gave him what I had.

Sorry for the long story.

After completion, he call Dave to report that he had finished. Dave billed me electronically for $729.58!!

I protested but he told me that they had to travel to Texas City to get the part, so it cost more. Texas City is about a 45 minute drive from his shop.

So, if you are in the Houston/Galveston area and need a mobile repair service, you might want to pass on this company.

At 73 years old, I'm really doubting more and more folks on their honest nature.

Thanks for reading....Skip

Old-Biscuit · 05-11-2025, 09:58 PM

what was the written estimate price.....you did get a written estimate?

I never have any work done without one.........even the handyman for small jobs around our house (text quote)

Lowflyer1 · 05-12-2025, 05:28 AM

Couple hrs of driving time & couple hrs of work at $200/hr and add the $125 part sounds reasonable to me.
Only Forrest Gump could afford to work for free.
This is 2025.

ThunderRidge · 05-12-2025, 06:03 AM

Price sounds well within reason.

Lantley · 05-12-2025, 06:46 AM

I 'm not sure what your complaint is. Did the price exceed the estimate or quote?
Was the price discussed?
Is your gripe that the price exceeded your personnel estimate?
Is your gripe he charged travel to get the part? Did you expect him to go get the part for free?
As you have seen from other responses you were likely treated fairly.

A wise man once told me this story.
" You charge me $200 to replace my widget and it only took you a 1/2 hour!
Yes but it has taken mv 30 years to to learn how to replace that widget in 30 minutes

Killingtime · 05-12-2025, 07:21 AM

Sorry Guys.

I neglected to include the estimate, which was $350 to $375. I asked him how he got to that number, and he told me that he had done this exact job many times, and that would be the price.

I think the problem is that the tech doesn't charge the price, as he works for another person in the shop. Normally, the techs that we have used in the past are also the owner/operator.

When I protested to the owner, he said the extra $$$ was because he turned down a $1500 job to help us first. I called BS on this one, and none of this was stated from the get-go.

And, I also told the tech that we would be back next week, so he could order the part in the mean time, and complete the job when we returned. I also told him I would pay for the part up front, so he would not be out of pocket it we didn't get back. He told me he would get the part later that day, and wanted to complete the job on the same day.

So, don't tell me that these charges are anywhere near normal.

Skip

LETMGROW · 05-12-2025, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

what was the written estimate price.....you did get a written estimate?

I never have any work done without one.........even the handyman for small jobs I had been writing service or repair estimates our house (text quote)

You have to keep in mind an "Estimate" is only what the name implies. An "Estimate". From someone who worked in the auto truck repair business for 61 years the last 20 also owning and operating an automotive machine shop I can say with some authority no one can write an estimate and guarantee that will always be the final price for doing any service. I owned and operated my auto repair shop for 39 years. Before that I worked at three different automotive and truck dealerships. Some of those years as a service advisor and a few years as a service manager. I always told my customers this is an "Estimate" Not a page out of the Holy Bible. If they weren't wiling to accept that there were several other shops nearby they were welcome to patronize.
Unless you tore a job down entirely could you give a real estimate. Especially with things like brake work. You could quote pads and rotors but when you got into the job it would be common to find a wheel cylinder or brake caliper which was seized op or beginning to leak or a rusted backing plate which needed replacing or a rear axle seal leaking and needing replacement. If I did find something extraodinary I would call my customer and advise them of the situation. No surprises this way. I was fortunate the majority of my customers knew I was honest and always kept the parts I replaced to play show and tell with when the customer came to retrieve their vehicle.. If someone did question my integrity I always told them they could go elsewhere. I didn't have time to engage in small talk or defend my work ethics.
At no time did I ever intentionally under sell a job then fleece a customer when they came in to pay the bill. This was why I had a running backlog of customers waiting their turn to have my shop(s) perform their needed service.
My job would have been much easier if I had had X-Ray vision or mental telephy.

MKwilli · 05-12-2025, 02:25 PM

Interesting, monitoring.

Lantley · 05-13-2025, 07:24 AM

I can see why yo would be upset. I assume the tech's quote was not in writing?
THe owner should offer you a goodwill discount. I'm not saying agreethe tech's price quote. But offer a good will discount $50-$100 or so to address the miscommunication.

Killingtime · 05-13-2025, 07:59 AM

I guess since the tech told me head done this "exact" repair many times, I reasoned why would he make this statement if not true.

I even took some sympathy on him, as he didn't bring enough freon with him to complete the job. I gave him my last can of my supply I was using until I could get back home.

I think that changing excuses, not showing up when they said, the lies to justify the final cost lacks the professionalism I expected.

The reason I posted this is to prevent others from being ripped off. If $200 per hour is reasonable for a tech working out of the trunk of his old KIA, then I say have at it.

Good Luck and Happy travels....

Great forum!!

Skip

Bigceasar · 05-13-2025, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killingtime

I guess since the tech told me head done this "exact" repair many times, I reasoned why would he make this statement if not true.

I even took some sympathy on him, as he didn't bring enough freon with him to complete the job. I gave him my last can of my supply I was using until I could get back home.

I think that changing excuses, not showing up when they said, the lies to justify the final cost lacks the professionalism I expected.

The reason I posted this is to prevent others from being ripped off. If $200 per hour is reasonable for a tech working out of the trunk of his old KIA, then I say have at it.

Good Luck and Happy travels....

Great forum!!

Skip

So the price would have been more acceptable if the tech had a nicer car. I trust that in the future when looking for a service provider you will ask what they drive and if it doesn’t meet with your approval you will just keep looking.

Mudfrog · 05-13-2025, 08:58 AM

An estimate is just that, an estimate. The price can go up if an unforeseen issue is encountered. Still, the company should contact the customer and let him know so there are no big surprises at the completion of the job.

As far as the OP's complaint, I kinda agree with others that he didn't get ripped off. It was a surprise for sure but I doubt he could have gotten the job done any cheaper unless he did it all himself. Honestly, with today's costs for labor and supplies, I'm actually surprised it was as low as it was.

Killingtime · 05-14-2025, 01:25 PM

You guys would really have to been there to understand what this event was all about.

Instead many have flamed me for trying to protect others on this forum.

No matter...I see there have been many that at least read this post, even tho they chose not to reply.

So, if I have saved at least one of our traveling partners from this experience, it was worth my time to post.

Good luck and Safe travels...

Skip

Wtbuck12 · 05-14-2025, 03:35 PM

I owned and operated a repair shop for 25 years and gave many estimates. Before giving an estimate I would explained what I would do and what parts I would change. I knew before hand what the materials would cost and the time allowed to replace them and that was my price. If after starting the job, something else was discovered the customer would be notified and the revised price approved before continuing. If nothing else was repaired other than what was originaly agreed upon, the original price was charged, nothing more. I agree with the OP, don't give me a price and upon completion come back and expect to get more. If you screw up on priceing a job, that's your problem.

Ronnie