FORT MYERS, FL. -- 27-year old air conditioning business owner Louis Joseph Bruno IV buys lots of radio time for weekend hour-long early morning radio shows, and frequent daily spot ads featuring $29.95 air conditioning maintenance checkups by his four-year old Bruno Air Conditioning of SWFL.UPDATE January 2019: Bruno's company Bruno Total Home Performance is reportedly being investigated by the Florida Attorney General Office in a consumer protection investigation after 90 complaints were made about his business practices.
Bruno wants to sell you maintenance contracts, "Bruno Signature Series" air conditioners, mold protection units, surge protectors, and do all your electrical and plumbing work. And they love to take your air conditioner system apart and clean all the components.
But before you give anyone your business that may take thousands of dollars from your pocket, it's a good idea to do a bit of checking on the company through the BBB and other references. We did, and found some interesting facts.
According to the BBB, Bruno Air Conditioning is not accredited and it's rating was revoked in November 2015 by the Better Business Bureau. The BBB says "On 11/18/2015 this company's accreditation in the BBB was revoked by the BBB's Board of Directors due to failure to eliminate the underlying cause of complaints on file with the BBB."
The BBB says Bruno had 30 complaints made to them in three years, and 23 in the last 12 months, including 20 complaints about service and products, six about sales and adverting, three about billing and collection, and one about guarantees.
The BBB said, "BBB has received a pattern of complaints from consumers alleging that the business misdiagnosed or misrepresented issues related to repair or replacement, which lead to higher costs or estimates for the consumers. Additional complaints allege issues with the quality of service performed when the business is repairing or installing an air conditioner."
"In July 2015, BBB sent a request to the business to address this pattern and what actions the business has taken to help eliminate the causes of complaints. The business does not believe that it has a pattern of complaints, and stated that it believes in being upfront and honest with its customers about issues or potential issues their air conditioning may have."
Despite the BBB accreditation revocation and complaints, Bruno's website still carries the "BBB Accredited Business" logo.
In further checking their air conditioning contractor license, Bruno Air had a complaint (#2014006671) filed with the Department of Professional Business Regulation February, 13, 2014 and a citation was filed May 8.
Bruno also advertises they want your electrical and plumbing business. Their electric division sells house surge protectors, and the plumbing section sells drain cleaning.
Bruno does not personally have a state plumbing or electrical license, but instead uses the licenses of others who are not owners of Bruno's company. Consumer protection experts say use caution hiring companies using licenses of other people who are not actual owners of the company.
Bruno uses a non-owner of his company, John P. Cordone as the qualifying agent for his new plumbing contracting service. Cordone has a complaint (#2015052414) filed with the DPBR for unlicensed activity December 3, 2015 and was issued a notice to cease and desist December 17. He did get a license a short time later on January 8, 2016. Cordone has his office address at a 3-bedroom home in Cape Coral.
Bruno uses a non-owner Stephen Mohrbacker, as the qualifying agent for electrical contracting. Mohrbacker has been licensed as an electrical contractor since September 2014 at a 4-bedroom home office in Naples and has operated SGM Electric Service LLC since 2014.
What Do You Get For $29.95?
Responding to an ad for an AC check up, what one of Bruno's employees will try to sell you after the radio advertised $29.95 checkup is a yearly maintenance agreement and in some cases a Bruno "Signature Series" air conditioner unit, a home surge protector, cleaning of the air handler coils and fan and maybe new ducts. Chances are Bruno admits, you'll end up writing a check for a lot more than $29,95.
Bruno says 82% of customers visited buy a maintenance agreement, with 70% renewing for "life." He claims on his recorded weekend radio show to sell 300 to 500 maintenance agreements each month.
Despite the $29.95 radio offer, additional service charges can be expected for disassembling and cleaning coils and fans with a chemical spray, and for new parts and equipment installed.
It's not clear if Bruno's technicians are paid on commission, as most air conditioning company's techs are actually sales agents. Bruno does say he hires people with no experience from the hospitality industry, hotels and restaurants, and trains them at his "Bruno University."
He says he has a 1% to 1 1/2% complaint rate and hires only those who pass drug and national criminal record checks. He's very careful about hiring. Bruno claims that one of the trades taught in prisons is air conditioning and says although ex-cons deserve a second chance, he doesn't hire them. He does like to hire people who are "customer oriented" from restaurants and hotels and train them at his "Bruno University." No air conditioning experience necessary.
His website claims his air conditioning "technicians are all NATE Certified" but a check online at the website North American Technician Excellence, a certifying organization in Arlington, VA, did not show Bruno Air Conditioning in Fort Myers listed, although six other local air conditioning companies were listed. Nonetheless, Bruno's website displays the NATE logo along with the BBB logo.
He says his company buys between $10 and $15 million in parts and supplies each year and trains his employees at "Bruno University."
Bruno promises a one and a half hour visit with a chemical wash of the outside condenser unit which he says will save $200 in electric bills every year. The technician will be checking electrical components, (usually the electrolytic capacitor, a $35 wholesale device, which can fail), check the inside air handler unit drain line which can get clogged and spill water, check and clean the coils, check the blower fan wheel for dust and clean it with chemicals at extra cost along with disassembling the coils at extra cost, check the inside electrical connections (again an inexpensive electrolytic capacitor). You may be asked to install a surge protector, and a UV light unit to kill mold.
The technician will check the duct size, explaining if ducts are undersized your unit will not last as long as designed since it will be running twice a long. You can expect to be told there's mold growing and should be eliminated. And sold an ultraviolet light system, basically one or more UV light bulbs. The UV light bulbs need to be replaced when they burn out at several hundred dollars a pop. Experts say that the ultraviolet systems are not needed. New-Press story on UV light complaint and Bruno.
Bruno is a partner in a biocide company, Biocide USA that will take care of the "mold." Cleaning of coils and blower fans seems to be a large part of Bruno's service profits.
Bruno says he started out at 17 as a helper at a small air conditioning company and now runs one of the fastest growing air conditioner companies in Florida.
Operating as Bruno Air Conditioning of SWFL, a fictitious name for Louis Bruno LLC, on Crooked Creek Lane, in a very large 3-bedroom home in Gateway, Louis Bruno started the Fort Myers business as a 23-year old in September 2012. It appears that he has since moved from that location even though no other address appears for the company on the Secretary of State records.
He bought the assets of Air Genie, owned by Gene Slade, a Bonita Beach company with negative consumer reports and a "D-" rating from the BBB . Some customers complained of over aggressive sales tactics and overcharges for service. Slade now operates Air Ninja LLC. Bruno appears to be following some of the same business practices. See Ripoff Report from former employee of Air Genie.
UPDATE January 2019: Gene S. Slade is now doing business as Freedom Heating & Cooling (owned by Safeway Home Services, Inc) in Bonita Beach and promotes the business with hour-long advertising on Fort Myers weekend radio.
Louis Bruno LLC now owns the Air Genie company at 4395 Corporate Square, Naples.
The Lipman Connection - Tomatoes And Air Conditioning
The Florida Secretary of State shows Louis Bruno IV a partner with Larry and Arby Lipman in Biocide USA LLC in Cape Coral. The Lipmans also partner with Bruno in ALLLLB Holdings LLC and LJ Stolli LLC at the same South Cargo Court office.
Larry Lipman is the retired CEO and son of the founder of Lipman Produce, Immokalee, the nation's largest producer of tomatoes for the fresh market. Lipman, 68, reportedly bought a 20 percent stake in Bruno's company and one of the investors in the building that houses the Bruno offices. Larry's son, Arby Lipman 27, is one Bruno's friends.
Louis Bruno LLC, the parent company is located at 28731 South Cargo Court #5, Bonita Springs.
Links:
Bruno Air BBB webpage for complaints and BBB Alert
Air Genie BBB page
Check NATE certified technicians by ID here
Check NATE certification by zip code here
BBB Accredited Air Conditioning Contractors
Photo: Google/Bruno Air advertising photo
Links:
Bruno Air BBB webpage for complaints and BBB Alert
Air Genie BBB page
Check NATE certified technicians by ID here
Check NATE certification by zip code here
BBB Accredited Air Conditioning Contractors
Photo: Google/Bruno Air advertising photo
That was a very informative, well written article. I also have been ripped off by these con artist.
ReplyDeleteThat was a very informative, well written article. I also have been ripped off by these con artist.
ReplyDeleteSo very true i was once an employee and this is spot on
ReplyDeletePlease contact me at sicsemperbruno@gmail.com
Deleteit's to bad we have over selling or unqualified recommendation making companies. but the article has a few valid points and a hand full of misinformation related to the standards of hvac. but for every good company we have 10 of those guys out in the world. check the bbb check Google.
ReplyDeleteAs a recently departed employee of this company, it pained me to not tell the customers the truth out of fear of being unemployed. The illegal and downright evil practices of this company has made nothing but enemies for Mr. Bruno. It is in your best interest to research before buying. Also, when things sound too good to be true in the real world, they most likely are.
ReplyDeleteCan you contact me? Sicsemperbruno@gmail.com
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteBruno air is a good company and my brother is the plumbing contractor for Bruno is a very honest person
ReplyDeleteYou are sadly: wrong. Bruno is currently being sued in Collier County for "Negligence- Construction Defect". Your brother should pull his license immediately and get as far away as possible.
Delete-no matter what he's getting paid, the liability is not worth it.
Deletethis is one of the most crooked companys aroud,their prices are three times what an average bcompany would charge,and all their techs are not cerified techs but rather highly trained salesman paid on commision,their only goal is to sell you on unnessisary repairs and gimmicky products.the radio show is a pre written script he bought from the air genie company, the sad thing is people wlil continiue to call them and be ripped off by them
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely true unqualified salesman came to my house and tried to sell me not only things I didn't need but things that were redundant. These people should have their license revoked. You have better luck buying a timeshare
DeleteI have worked in the HVACR industry for over forty years and have seen companies like this and even (unknowingly worked for a company like this at first)until I started bringing up discrepancies in the way things were done and the result was I was fired with the reason I was paid too much and they couldn't afford me anymore.The real reason was I was too honest for them and some months later the state pulled their license and the owner had to sell . Sooner or later this will happen to this company owner as well just a matter of time.
ReplyDeleteDon, I want to preface this message with this isn't to berate you, yet to thank you.
ReplyDeleteI tried to comment on your blog, but it doesn't let mine post and gets deleted. I have also Google messaged you, where you shared it, and you haven't responded so I am messaging you here. Reason for the message: Initially, very hurt by your opinions of me and my business I wanted to find out how I could help or to see what I did to you.
You see, I have thick skin and have heard all of this before. What I really care about is how it Makes my 150+ employees feel, because you're attacking what they stand for as well.
Secondly, you didn't reach out to me for comment, quotes, opinions, or fact checking. But I guess that's the difference between blogs and journalism- and that's OK because everybody becomes a publisher in social media today.
See, I'm a very, very, VERY different animal. My energy comes from a place most people haven't realized how to access yet. I am a very sensitive and shy person. I love extremely hard, stand up for what I believe in, and have a vision and a goal to #TTW touch the world.
Success is only a feeling I know because of how many times I have failed. And I have many, many failures. We have one site that doesn't recommend us, but ten others including Google all rank us #1 or 2 out of thousands. Business isn't me, it's what we stand for as an organization, and what our co workers put out there, and our team cares very hard.
All of my employees know I would give the shirt off my back, and many, many of them I have paid their rent, their child's doctor bills, funded them for 3 months after heart surgery, and we provide loans so they can get necessary tools or other things to make their lives easier, loaned money to buy houses, but property, paid for their continuing education, put down payments on cars or houses, because I want to surround myself with successful people.
Here's the thanks. Your blog can't change the opinion of the world, but today everybody becomes a publisher on social media, so this isn't the story of Don Browne. This is the story of the future of business. So small business today only defense when they don't even get a chance to fix mistakes they've made is to eliminate obscurity. To eliminate the world being able to form an opinion about them from a blog or a post versus creating SO MUCH CONTENT that the world knows deep down who they are, what's important to them or their organization, what's important to their husband or wife, what's important to their kids, what's important to their culture or values, what's important to their religion, so that a one time mistake doesn't have an effect on their success.
Today I vow for the world to know who I am, what my family stands for, what my company stands for, what my failures look like. What our co workers stand for, what we care about, how our customers feel about doing business with us, what the road to the top looks like. How to build a business, a following, how to help somebody, what taking action looks like, how to touch their spirituality, that opinions don't matter, how to show the world how beautiful you really are on the inside. And then reproduce it.
My only competition is who I was yesterday, and today Don, I thank you because I just ✔️ every box on the 6/17 Louis and will be a better father, husband, co worker, boss, and member of the community because of it!
I had one of your 2995 hucksters show up at my door for a cleaning. It was all a scam all a sham nothing more then a timeshare pitchman. I had three other reliable companies come in and said I didn't need half of what your guy said I did and could do it for less than half the price. You're a liar and a scam artist. I've warned everybody I know to stay away from your company
DeleteMr Bruno you are totally delusional. I've followed your rise in the HVAC industry, I hear your ridiculous ads on the radio daily and I know exactly what you're all about because I have participated in, and have taught, the exact high-pressure sales tactics your "technicians" practice. FUD is extremely successful, especially with an older clientele. Shame on you sir - go back to square one. Learn your trade, learn the basics of good business practices, stop trying to jump to the front of the line. You are taking legitimate HVAC business from the multi-generational HVAC companies in S. Florida who do not practice deceptive high-pressure sales tactics. Be careful Louis- you could wind up spending the best years of your life behind bars if enough people you've ripped off are willing to build a class action against you and your company. You should stop before that happens, cancel all the worthless service agreements you've sold, and turn over the maintenance of the many systems you've improperly installed to one of the many companies out there who could actually service those customers. Do the right thing.
DeleteLouis, I am a small contractor in the Fort Myers area. Your name and company come up often in discussions. However, it's rarely good. You have the reputation as a scam artist and rip-off. Your company charged a lady $16,000 for a $6,000 A/C unit in North Fort Myers. We all know about you. You have little chance of ever restoring your reputation in South Florida. Shame on you.
DeleteBet that's not tune he sang when he got raided by the police ����
DeleteBruno you state in your reply "My only competition is who I was yesterday, and today" Soon you will be a NOBODY. One does not get raided for no reason. $2300 for a compressor. You are a thief. You will be run out of SW Florida guaranteed after they are finished with you.
DeleteYikes.
ReplyDeleteDoes this sound like a response that would be given by an honest air conditioning repair man or somebody motivated only buy money and power.
ReplyDeleteI am a personal friend of Louis Bruno, and I know much about his past, present, and his motivations. This comment hits the nail on the head -- he has always been a fanboy of Tony Robbins, who is also a fraud that preys on the emotions of people for his own profits. It does not shock me at all to watch Bruno Air take a turn from growing business to predatory entity. In fact, I can't imagine it turning out any different.
DeleteThats how a boss settles it. Its really hard to find honest and valuable employees that will stand for your company. Im a small business owner myself. Ive gone through a few guys since i started on my own. Let alone have over 100 employees. Trust me, i get pissed at mechanics when they tell me i need new brakes or something. Its up to you to make the final decision. You can say "no thank you" and get a second quote. Mostly recommend 3. Im a growing and seemingly popular comtractor for my work. And we all run into issues. We all run into failed trial and errors. If Mr. Bruno himself is trying his best to employee our neighbors on such a scale, he needs to be thanked.
ReplyDeleteYou go to these people and make suggestions via email or in person.
Some of us have worked too hard, worked countless hours at night. Lost family time to get projrcts done, just to keep the bills paid and people working.
Just as long as he is as sincere as he sounds in this. I understand where he is coming from.
Doctors get sued all of the time. And so do contractors. Its tough and we make mistakes. Even the BBB os important and i dont know the whole story. But there are crooks out there and there are a few good honest people left
What was settled? Nothing from the article was addressed...
DeleteBruno is a crook. Plain and simple. Quit making excuses for him.
DeleteHe thinks he's little Trump. Same MO. Rip em off and then Eff them if they don't like it.
Bruno response is awful. You didn't address ur negative BBB rating and why u still have it in ur sight or your NATE certification not being valid? Why are u,being untruthful on ur web sight?
ReplyDeletejourneyman ac techs lol , everyone in the industry knows about you
ReplyDeleteHad similar experience. Built new house (Neal community Palmetto FL) 2014. Installing A/C company called for a courtesy visit to explain the new unit that they installed. At end of instruction they said I had to sign a maintenance agreement ($189 per yr) or the if anything happened the warranty would be voided. I called the manufacturer of my unit and they said warranty was still in effect and contact another A/C company. Bruno sounds like the same scam.
ReplyDeleteIf any of the people commenting were in the trade they wouldn't be saying half of what they are saying. There are so many hvac contractors that do this exact same thing. Louis has built a company from the ground up at age 27. Can any one of you say you have created one of the most well known Co.PA is in the state you are in by the time you were 27? Didn't think so. He's got things that need to be fixed, but so does every other Contractor in the country. He's young and new to the industry, he will correct the things he needs to fixate if he doesn't well then he knows his company won't last. I must say at least he isn't doing what action heating and cooling does to their employees and customers. He is a 27 yr old man with a multi million dollar company, what did you do at the age of 27? He is one of the youngest contractors in the state, he will figure out his path and still succeed as long as he corrects his flaws.
ReplyDeleteI am in the trade. The company I work for has been in business here for 40 years. Sure, there are contractors that do the same thing- but none of them stay around long. The companies that have been around for more than a couple of decades- you don't see articles or blogs like this one written about them. The comment a couple above yours is spot on: all the way from Journeymen to the License Holder: the industry in SW Fl has heard these stories about this particular individual. What is unfortunate is that consumers seem to be catching on a little later. Now, I'm sure Bruno AC does a lot of excellent work, but there is no excuse for claiming BBB Accredition when you don't have it, they haven't been BBB Accredited for months. There is a history of not pulling permits as evidenced through records searches on the County and State levels. This is a simple thing to do, that costs the Contractor (homeowner) money. Besides that there is no reason not to pull a permit, as it is required in EVERY swap out, NO EXCEPTIONS! What difference does it make how big the company is, if the consumer isn't being treated properly, or the contractor isn't following the law (permits)? And quite frankly, touting the hiring of people unfamiliar with the field should be frightening to the consumer. It takes YEARS to become a competent AC mechanic. I wouldn't want someone with limited experience working on a high-voltage system, with hundreds of components in my home, and you shouldn't either. I hope Mr. Bruno addresses these apparent issues, because it is great that he employs a lot of our local residents, but there is an aspect of public trust that needs to be taken into account as well.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteWell many here didnt have lipman backing them finacially first of all Easy to grow with millions backing you. Next, it's easy to grow when your stealing ss# numbers and getting loans in people's name without their consent. So saying have you created the most well most company in the state by age 27, based on the money backing him and the corruption within his company, it's not hard to grow quick. He screwed up growing at an unrealistic rate and drew attention to his company I am no judge or jury. Never had dealings with bruno or his company. The truth will come out, and if he is guilty, may he spend 50 years in federal prison, if not, hopefully he could bounce back from this and further succeed. I believe it is shady how he grew so quickly and will not say he did or did not do these acts he is being accused of. But will say, if these things are true about him, this is not a learning mistake, but pure greed and something like this, makes people think twice about hiring a little company such as mine, and effects me indirectly
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWow - my experience with the Company has been Amazing & this post reminds me of what it could be like if you were a Crab in a Bucket - We are all human and we all learn from our last mistake; hence, the way I see it, everyone has their own experience and it is up to us as Consumers & Business Owners to learn & grow; however that may look to you :)
ReplyDeleteBruno must have made big mistakes otherwise he would not have been raided
DeleteI had a sales person come to my house and tell me about how great my unit was that it was a $5,000 unit and it was only two years old but yet he wrote me up an estimate because he said that it needed UV lights and new duct work when all of that had just been done I was more interested in the maintenance agreement but the estimate that he rode up on the machine that he said was such a great machine and that it was a $5,000 machine he wrote me up an estimate for $4,800. So I said to the people in the office when I called to ask them if they were kidding about the estimate, the first thing they wanted to do is refund the money for the yearly maintenance agreement. I told them I had three choices I could either have them replace the whole unit which would have cost us over $5,000 or have them repair the one with these $4,800 UV lights so then I would have a $9,800 system. Or they could send the same salesperson Bank so I could berate him for him even thinking that I was stupid enough to give them another $4,800 on top of the system being a brand new system so yes these guys are rip-off artists there con artists their salespeople the main thing that they do is try to make you think that you don't have a brain to think with and that you need everything under the sun. They also tell you at the end of the broadcast okay folks we only have enough room for two more callers at the $29 rate after that it goes up to 189 and then they take another 50 calls for the $29 so yes I'm very well for miliar with this outfit and I do find it awfully funny that when you question them the first thing that they want to do is refund your money just so that you'll keep your mouth shut.
ReplyDeleteI've had nothing but great experience with Bruno Air Condition. If you did not like the recommendation that the "salesman" suggested to you then simply say no thanks and move forward with your day. No one was forcing you to purchase anything by the sound of your story. Any person who is going to invest money into your home whether it is a refrigerator, new water heater or an air conditioner needs to do their research to make a smart decision. Even if you love your first choice you still should get more than 1 opinion. Sounds like you just want to berate the technician because you did not do your homework.
DeleteI've gone to give estimates on ac units they had said needed to be replace only to find it didn't need replaced and was still under warranty. Always get a second or third opinion. Most of us will give you a second opinion or estimate free. Especially if that company is involved
ReplyDeleteA con artist exposed. Great article and irrefutable. Bruno uses a psychology based selling system that he carried over from Air Genie. (Gene Slade) Like Bruno, Gene was successful narcissistic sociopath. It's not about fixing your air conditioner or clearing your drain line. It's about how to overcome objections and instill fear into the consumer making them vulnerable to the looming upsell attack. Bruno University does not provide technical training as he claims in his nauseating commercials, it creates "Selling Technicians" who essentially know nothing about air conditioning. It's not a sustainable business model but is very profitable until the bubble bursts. The UV lights mentioned cost Bruno about $60-70 apiece. You should never need more than one...if you even need one at all. Sadly, Bruno is not the only one doing this. Consumers also need to be aware of Action Cooling of Fort Myers and several others. ALWAYS get a 2nd opinion. I recommend that you don't do business with the manufacturers and their representatives that enable Bruno to prosper. (Trane, Rheem, Nest, Unitary Products-York. IE: Johnson Controls.) I encourage everybody to forward this article to friends and family. It's time for this star to burn out.
ReplyDeleteA reminder to readers that all comments are only the opinion of the comment writer and that companies and business owners mentioned should be researched for complaints made to the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, Google, and other websites to verify any allegations before you form an opinion or hire a business. - Editor
ReplyDeleteI'm currently dealing with this company now 9/24/16 and just found this article when looking up information on a unit they just installed two months ago. My AC unit stopped cooling on Tuesday and the company Bruno Lewis stated someone would be by Wednesday to repair the issue, however the unit was not repaired until yesterday. I have been dealing with 86 degree and higher temperatures in my home for 3 1/2 days. While I understand ordering parts, I'm a little confused why it took that long for a new compressor for your "signature series"? However, more importantly it was repaired yesterday and started cooling but, again stopped working after 12 hours! They replaced the compressor, however they didn't repair the issue that caused the compressor to go out in the first place! Bruno stated this morning 9/24/16 that I was on the "high priority list", which we hope is today. I have a few questions for this company:
ReplyDelete1. Did you check the air flow for the unit? Is this unit closely meeting the 1,400 CFM?
2. Did they check the charge (refrigerant levels) for the unit? Was it low? If so, did they check for a leak?
3. Was the evaporate coil checked and/or frozen over?
4. Was the condenser coil checked?
6. When you installed the unit 2 months ago, I understand you stated it "needed" to be cleaned because you stated it was moldy, however did you ensure there were no leaks so the unit would run as efficiently as possible?
5. Also, when you complete your repairs why don't you leave a service ticket for the customer, stating what was repaired or replaced, along with all the readings that were taken on the unit?
I just don't understand why a compressor would go out on a 2 month old unit installed by Bruno, unless something was seriously installed incorrectly.
Very doubtful that a brand-new unit - even the cheap re-branded builder grade junk sold by Bruno (most likely made by Goodman co.) would need a new compressor. It would have had to been heinously installed and running without lubrication (which travels with your refrigerant gas). More likely - a $20 starter capacitor failed because of some lopsided installation issue. Hire a legitimate HVAC company (there are several multi-generational companies operating in S. Florida that are all more trustworthy than Bruno) to diagnose what actually happened - then sue the pants off of Bruno in small claims court. If more people would be willing to do that - he'd quickly disappear.
DeleteI've read most of these comments. To me it sounds like a lot of different opinions. I own and run an A/C company out of Texas(about 50 employees). I am familiar with hard sales tactics from other companies. I do not allow them in my company. That being said ...I'd like to shed some light on some of your concerns. If I go into a home that is older than 10 years old, I can easily find 10-15 problems with the A/C unit, duct work, air flow etc. That doesn't mean that all of those items need to be replaced, but they are issues. My company always fixes the problem that we originally came out to the house for, and that's usually it. If we see something that looks "bad" we bring it to our customers attention. This way, at the very least informs them, but we do not use scare tactics to or high pressure sales pitches. Anyone who reads this post, if I showed you your ducts in your home, you'd probably feel sick seeing dust and spore growth in your home. Does that mean we should change the ducts? probably not, you'll be ok. This is just a simple example of how HVAC service works. To you who are upset about the high cost of HVAC parts? A little insight, we hire techs who are highly trained. Highly trained techs are not cheap. They are dealing with high voltage electricity, water, etc in your home. You WANT highly paid people at your house. Would you choose the cheapest doctor to operate on you? Then there are the cost to run the business, just like the Mcdonalds you bought this morning. Did you ask them to pay just .59 for that breakfast combo? or did you pay the 1000 times markup of 5.95? We have insurance, fuel, vehicles, health insurance, vehicle maint, bonding, just to name a few.
ReplyDeleteBottom line, there are good HVAC companies out there, I believe mine is one of them, but being honest with repairs and advice on future repairs will get you a lot further in life, then short changing people. Also be thankful quality high paid techs are in your home, taking care of your home! :)
We purchased a home in early 2015 and watched a news program touting the success of Louis Bruno and his A/C company. My wife had been diagnosed with asthma so we contacted them for an inspection of our AC system. The technician came out and said we had biological growth (mold) in our unit and suggested a full replacement. Given that story and my wife's condition, we purchased a new A/C unit for $6,730 and paid by check. We tend to be conservative and usually get several estimates but this time we failed to do so. We had an inspector from Charlotte County come out and inspect the unit and it failed - Bruno came out two more times before the inspector finally gave his OK that the unit was installed and up to code. I mentioned to the inspector about the "mold" - he said he's been inspecting units for over 20 years and rarely does he find mold. That suggested pretty strongly that we did not really need a new A/C unit. Fast forward to now - we have had Bruno come out to the house to inspect the unit several times over the past year and EACH and EVERY TIME the technician has recommended repairs. I would be VERY surprised if these guys are NOT on commission. Today, he said our refrigerant was low and that it would be $150 to add it to the system. He then said it was leaking freon due to an evaporative coil being faulty. The unit is only two years old - and that it would be $1,950 for them to disassemble the unit, clean the coils and put it back together. Then, he tried to charge us for the visit when there was no mention of a charge for this service call. We only have Bruno come by because they have screwed up so often that we have two years of "free" maintenance. However, we told the guy today that we will not ever call them again - we will go with a different A/C company and pay for their inspection. These guys will try and take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners at every opportunity.
ReplyDeleteEveryday folks would be shocked at the cottage industry that has popped up teaching HVAC, Remodelers, and other home service people every manner of deceptive, high-pressure sales techniques imaginable. Contractors pay serious dollars to participate in these programs, which are themselves disguised as rah-rah wave-the-flag "patriotism, American Dream entrepreneurship" and so on. In other words - the programs convince the contractor they have the right and in fact the *obligation* to squeeze every dollar out of every customer. After all - if you make a ton of money you'll be better able to "help" all these struggling people... right? It's no different than TV ministers begging for dollars endlessly. Sure - it's your fixed-income SS check, but God is going to return it to you 10-fold. I've attended both of these types of programs and the similarity is remarkable. In the HVAC industry, these types of programs teach attendees absolutely nothing about HVAC equipment, design, repair, nothing... only hard-sell sales tactics. The "uniformed techician" who shows up is in reality a high-pressure salesperson who is highly trained in planting seeds of fear, uncertainty, and doubt... scaring the be-jesus out of fixed-income folks on topics of health impacts of mold, rust, radon, cracked heat exchangers (in the NE), dirty ductwork, and on and on. You have unfortunately been a victim of those tactics.
DeleteI've been sitting in high 80's inside temp for 3 days waiting for Bruno Air to replace my unit. I've had to call them they countless times, they never called me until I did; assured me if no-one came out Fri evening( June30) guarantee8-10 am yesterday.called installer at 12:37 said they are backed up n will get there asap I'm next in work order.I called almost 3:00 asking secretary what's problem n where are they(86 in apartment then) she called back almost HR later stating they can't come and guarantee first thing in am today n " they would make it right" sent put someone to shoot more Freon in( they are aware it leaks out immediately hence New Unit bought) get a call hours ago by another secretary saying they are coming this afternoon! That can be anytime. Of course no-one is answering now.This is unacceptable and terrible practice. Should of NEVER got unit from them. Buyers beware
ReplyDeleteI very much regret buying an air conditioning unit from Bruno in April 2016. We have had a lot of trouble with the air handler, parts having to be replaced, both heating and cooling, and the blower failing 3 times. It is made by Johnson Controls “custom designed for Louis Bruno air conditioning” and I really think it is a very poor quality product. All this has meant many visits by technicians (I would guess about 12, and we are seasonal visitors) and significant extra costs to us.
ReplyDeleteThere is always a lot of pressure from Bruno technicians to sell additional services. The latest example: a Bruno electrician called Skyler came on December 30 2017, did a few cursory tests, said we needed a surge protector and it was not possible to fit this in the existing electrical panel. So we needed a new panel! He quoted $5500 (including bizarrely a new air handler!) which would be valid up to end 2017 but would increase to $8300 if we delayed because of new regulations coming in 2018. I was suspicious, and we did not go ahead.
A week later I got another electrician, Mr Sparky, who quoted a far far lower price for a panel. But after examining the existing electrical panel thoroughly, which Bruno’s Skyler had not done, he said it did not need to be replaced. A surge protector could be fitted in the panel at a cost of about $600. Importantly, he said no new regulations were due to be implemented in Florida. So, I really think Bruno have not treated us respectfully and truthfully. We do not trust Bruno any more.
In our personal experience buyers should be very careful dealing with Bruno. Their technicians claim not to be salesmen but are very skilful at persuading customers to buy maintenance contracts, and unnecessary parts and services, with flexible pricing which starts high and comes down if there is resistance. It may be relevant that my wife and I are seasonal visitors, in our seventies, and from the UK. We wonder if Bruno see us as ‘a soft touch’.
We do not intend to spend any more money with Bruno, and I want them to replace the unsatisfactory air handler with a better product at no expense to me.
If these are new units there should be a 10 year warranty? I'm perplexed? I was searching reviews for a company who because of their negligence in not coming back with a contactor( which they said took 4 wees t arrive) tho he had a used one to get me thru 3 days. I own multiple properties and now this part takes a day to get ( if not on the truck). So My fan motor was replaced because it went because they failed to come back with the cap. I see the tech wrote my neighbor insatlled an inproper one.Only people to install one here was them. So I pay him after sitting in a 86 degree house and well you guessed it. My compressor's shot. My unit is 17. so I feel for all you with 2-3 year old units going. I have lupus and the company is aware. I'm sitting in 87 degreees as we speak. He never called back yesterday after he left and 7 calls. My attorney and I have everything we need. This is exactly why I don't want to install a new unit. Only in Florida these pathetic losers get away with this! karma will get this 20 year old! Anyone in Florida can do well In the HVAC business because it's hot and most techs have zero personalities and customer service skills.
DeleteAnd none of this probably makes sense because I'm about to die from this heat. I'll go get a window unit tomorrow for now!
DeleteSo in tun them not coming back with the cap caused the fan motor to fail tho he went and charged me 700 to fix that and the cap but was too late for the compressor which I paid 1300 to put in 4-5 years ago. Sorry I couldn't edit? I love the pattern of reviewers coming to this guys defense. Lol. happy customers don't seeek out complaints...
DeleteAny legit a/c tech keeps all of these parts in his van. Contactors and caps. cost us less than a Burger King Baconator meal. I've told my customers what my cost is many times and show them a reasonable mark up, no complaints, ever. Been called in for 2nd opinions on these clowns for years; same story every time.
DeleteMr. Bruno personally drained tge freon from my system and then knocked on my door telling my wife that he was servicing the unit next door and saw that our system was "freezing up" and offered to have a look. This guy is a delusional rip off artist. Basically, he stole my freon and then knocked on my door to sell it back to me. He knows what he did and I called him on it to his face. We have mutual friends and he knows what he did. This guy is really not right in the head. Louis you got undeniably busted and I will follow you to whatever business you start to let people know of your outright thievery and dishonesty. They say the fish rots from the head. You Sir are a lying thief.
ReplyDeleteI've got this guy's number... he probably attended one of the many HVAC sales/"business" seminars out there that promote all of the high-pressure sales tactics he uses to remove money from peoples' wallets. How do I know? I've attended those types of programs, and I've taught the same tactics to sales/tech teams. The routine is simple - scare the hell out of homeowners about mold, rust, "snot" in their condensate lines, radon, dirty ductwork, and on and on. What you're going to do is pay $30 for the equivalent of a 2 hr. Timeshare pitch - it will be just as hard sell and just as tough to walk away from, and it will obligate you to hundreds if not thousands of dollars of "maintenance services" you don't need, and Bruno and Co.are not qualified to provide you with anyway. Not one word of his radio ads should be taken as anything but what they are, deceptive, high-pressure sales tactics. FUD tactics (fear..uncertainty...doubt) are extremely effective, especially with older people who want to avoid a big repair/replacement bill at all costs, and believe that spending $99 (or $199... or ??) /month forever is going to somehow help them avoid that big ticket replacement. Unfortunately, just the opposite will be true. The "technician" showing up at your door monthly is trained in equipment sales, NOT equipment maintenance. Most will barely know what they're looking at, will not be certified by any of the industry groups, and will work hard to find dire problems that can only be solved with new equipment, purchased with high-interest financing in which Bruno and Co. will benefit from the 36% annual interest rate you'll be paying. Again - avoid this company like the plague.
ReplyDeleteThis Bruno guy is a TOTAL NUT JOB!!! Learn how to run a legit company and stop stealing money from good, honest, hard working individuals. So sad and I hope your business goes under. Shame On You!
ReplyDeleteWe were taken so bad by this company. They came out and did work that was not approved. We had a quote but it was so outlandishly high I did not respond. Next thing we know, bruno goes to the property and does the work stated in the quote. They then knock at the door and have a sister in law, who didn't know any better, sign the papers that they were out. The family was not home. In the meantime, we had hired another reputable company who went out and repaired the AC unit a few days later. They confirmed that there was no repair work done. From the minute bruno started working on the two units they continued to have major problems. When we switched to a different company, we haven't had a problem since. We received threatening collection phone calls, emails and letters. we tried to explain we did not authorize the work, they said they have proof someone did. It was all so shady but please note that the AC units were not repaired after a 2K bill from them. I guess they were hoping to keep coming out many times and billing many times. In addition we had paid for a maintenance program. During this so called program the AC units continue to break down. What were we paying for. I am so glad they are finally exposed.
ReplyDeleteBruno Air now Bruno Total Home,just got raided last week by the State Attorneys Office and the local police. He was lifting customers signatures and applying for PACE loans in said customers name.He is a con artist and a fraud.Hes made millions off honest people in SWFL.Hes actually a sociopath who will end up in the swamp,from some old elderly persons son,that he previous ripped off.This guy is still out running calls,but give it a month or two and once all the paperwork gets sorted out that the State Attorney seized,HES DONE. He will file bankruptcy or take what maney he has and move to Mexico.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteglad he got arrested . His "tech "disconnected a capacitor during a service checkup . Another company ( a good company ) found that right away and reconnected it . I asked "maybe it just came loose "? The tech showed me the closed loop connector and said that was ïmpossible "
ReplyDeleteThis is a smart blog. I mean it. You have so much knowledge about this issue, and so much passion. You also know how to make people rally behind it, obviously from the responses. Electrical safety certificate
ReplyDelete