u/martiancanals

It ain't waste either.

I'm always way late to raise prices.

For example I made it through 2021 just eating the inflation so as to not impact my customers. I made 50% less that year than 2019 and nobody batted an eye when I finally raised prices. I also did not gain wild customer loyalty by maintaining my prices as long as I did. So I swore to not fall behind again.

Well maybe I already have fallen behind again? Has anyone else had to raise prices this summer?

I know that everyone is struggling more than ever, but 1.7% is a quarter of my total margin.

In 2019 I installed an LG multi zone mini split. I did all the work with the exception of vacuuming the lines and releasing the coolant which I had a local refrigeration company do. I had more than 5 years of non issue use.

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Last summer it suddenly wouldn't cool. I called the authorized LG repair people. When they heard that I installed it they immediately decided it was a loose connection, which they looked for, but couldn't find. They left after filling and saying "well it took 5 years to leak out at first, it'll probably take that long again!" $1300.

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Had to call them back in 3 months because it wasn't working again. They continued to check my connections. We even tore open a chase where they replaced a connection to an inside head "for good measure" and filled again. $1500.

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3 months later it was out again. They *finally* called LG support who diagnosed it within an hour as a faulty compressor. I still have a year of warranty on that compressor but the tech REFUSED to give me the relevant information to submit a warranty claim (LG Ticket number, LG tech name that helped them, and the official LG diagnostics). After 2 weeks of me bothering them my partner just pulled the trigger because now she's doubting me and it's hot. $5k for a new compressor and install, they still won't let me gather the relevant information for warranty.

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So these clowns milked me for $2800 before roasting me for $5000 and told me basically that's the cost of self install and use of non authorized HVAC help. I could have replaced the entire outside unit for $4k and had reefer techs come back. (I should have!)

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We have a new place we are moving to soon and there's an addition there that needs heating and cooling. Mini split is an obvious choice. HVAC contractors have bid $20k and $23k to install a two zone system using a name brand system.

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Considering the BS I've had to deal with the name brand systems, the authorized techs, and the outrageous install quotes why the hell wouldn't I install a Mr Cool set?

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Seems like it has the same warranty as the others and the fact that I DIYd part of it won't void that or force me to use some ass of an "authorized" repairman in the future.

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I know there's bad experiences in prefilled line sets, but there's some pretty bad experiences from HVAC companies too.

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What am I missing in the equation?

I run a fast casual spot in a downtown area that gentrified over the last ten years. The city is so proud of that they are going to institute paid parking.

I can see how full service shops don't have that much to worry about, what's $4 for 2 hours on top of a $65 ticket average after all? My average ticket is $13. $2 to park for an hour for your $13 meal now makes fast food elsewhere all the more appealing, I'm terrified.

I have a friend in a different city with a downtown pizzeria that lost 30% of their business at their downtown spot after paid parking went into effect BUT they had a neighborhood spot that picked up like 20% because the locals pivoted to the neighborhood location instead. They're also in a tourist town, so the downtown spot still gets enough business, just not locals and not as busy as it once was.

Anyone operated through the institution of paid parking have any experiences with it they can share?