Having an appliance break as soon as the new year starts can be a stressful situation that you want to fix right away, but taking the time to find a reputable repairman is just as important. BBB of Central Ontario strongly suggests that consumers do their due diligence and research appliance repair companies after receiving numerous complaints and scam reports on the BBB Scam Tracker about GTA-based company, The A Team Appliance Repair, also known as The Appliance Repair Team Inc.
BBB files indicate that this business has a pattern of complaints concerning service and repair issues. Specifically, consumers allege that the company is unable to properly diagnose and repair appliances effectively; there is a lack of follow-up and resolution to issues, and the cost of parts is grossly inflated. BBB started receiving complaints for this company in 2019, with numbers remaining steady over the past several years. In 2022, BBB received 218 complaints about the company and has already received 1 in 2023.
The following situation has also been noted in many of the disputes filed through BBB:
Consumers are advised by the company that a service call will cost $80; however, once the service technician arrives, that amount is increased to approximately $300 to diagnose the issue. The consumer is then told the appliance can be fixed, and they are given a repair agreement that outlines the cost of labor. When the document is signed, the work begins, and upon further inspection, new parts are required, and the repair quickly escalates in price. In many cases, the repair suggested to the consumer is ineffective, and the appliance is still not in working order.
In July 2019, BBB submitted a written request to the company, encouraging them to address the pattern of complaints. BBB has not received a response to date.
In December 2022, BBB staff reviewed the information on file and determined that the pattern of complaints had not been resolved. BBB continues to receive a high volume of complaints similar in nature.
BBB advises consumers to look into companies before allowing them into their homes. BBB offers the following tips when choosing an appliance repair company:
- Research the company online: Check to see how long the company has been in business and if previous consumers have had a positive experience
- Contact the manufacturer: Most appliance manufacturers have authorized service technicians that have received specialized training on their products. You may also wish to confirm there are no recalls on the appliance and that parts are still available
- Confirm the pricing: BBB suggests consumers confirm what is included in service fees. Does it include a diagnosis of the issue, and will it be credited back if you decide to go ahead with repairs, etc.?
- Ask about warranties: Check to see if the company offers a warranty on the parts or service. Often this will show whether they are confident that the repair will work.
- Check BBB.org: Visit bbb.org to find a BBB Accredited appliance repair company.
