3 minutes reading time
(518 words)
Is that AC Tech a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing? What the Bruno Total Home Performance State Investigation Illustrates.
Since 2016 Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating has been working hard to help consumers avoid predatory contractors.
We even created a humorous video series featuring the fictional A.C. Winterbottom, Agent for America’s Repair Force, and an accompanying website (www.AmericasRepairForce.com) that is full of information on how to spot a scam.
Unfortunately, as this recent news story illustrates, there’s no shortage of dishonest contractors trying to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners…
The Florida Office of the Attorney General is currently investigating Bruno Total Home Performance, formerly known as Bruno Air, in Bonita Springs for allegations of shoddy work, overselling and overcharging for products and services, performing unnecessary work, high-pressure sales tactics, and unscrupulous loan practices - including forging customers' signatures on financial documents.
Court records also indicate that Louis Bruno, LLC (d.b.a. Bruno Total Home Performance) has filed at least 3 foreclosure actions and over two dozen liens against property owners in Lee & Collier counties!
Predatory contractors will try anything to separate you from your money.
They’ll claim to find mold and tell you your family is in great danger - some will even claim that they can’t “legally” leave an AC system running in such bad condition. Other companies will strongarm you into signing documents and even refuse to leave before you do - obviously, they don’t want you to get a second opinion. The list of scams goes on…
But there are many ways to see if a company or contractor is reputable.
Consumers can verify licenses with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) online at www.myfloridalicense.com, by calling 850-487-1395, or by downloading the free DBPR Mobile app. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is also a great resource for information and ratings on companies and your local Chamber of Commerce can recommend a business.
Another way to avoid falling prey to unethical contractors is to ask around.
Contact friends and neighbors to see who they recommend and do a little research on the internet – online reviews from Google and others are a great way to get a consensus opinion and see where a company’s strengths and weaknesses are. And don’t just look for high ratings, look for companies with more than a handful of reviews which could have come from their friends and family. Finally, it never hurts to get a second opinion before spending a large amount of money on something.
In the case of Bruno Air, the DBPR shows 2 complaints against Bruno's contractor's license which is “current with probation”. In a rare move, the BBB revoked Bruno Air's accreditation in November of 2015 based on what it saw as a "pattern of complaints;" the new company, Bruno Total Home Performance, has never been accredited. And their online reviews, literally, scream “STAY AWAY!!!”
Click here for more information:
Five things to know about the state investigation into Bruno Total Home Performance
(link to https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2019/01/17/bruno-total-home-performance-state-investigation-5-things-know/2603815002/)
Attorney general's office investigating Bruno Total Home Performance in Bonita Springs
(link to https://www.naplesnews.com/story/money/business/local/2019/01/15/law-enforcement-presence-bruno-total-home-performance-bonita-springs/2580545002/)
Homeowners shed light on state inquiry into Bruno Total Home air of Bonita
(link to https://www.naplesnews.com/story/money/business/local/2019/01/16/bruno-total-home-performance-still-open-business-day-after-law-enforcement-seized-documents-offi/2591820002/)
Stay Informed
When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.
About the author
Comment for this post has been locked by admin.
Comments
25 October 2024
If your air conditioner is screaming or hissing at you, it probably isn’t full of ghosts, but it’s definitely trying to tell you something… If you live in Florida, you’re probably in a committed relationship with your AC, and you want that relationsh...
23 July 2024
Ensure your air conditioning stays safe from power surges. Invest in a high-quality surge protector from Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. It could save you hundreds of dollars in repair or replacement costs. What is a surge protec...
28 March 2024
You’ve probably heard by now, that Smart Thermostats can reduce your HVAC-related energy consumption by a lot, but energy savings are just the beginning… Before we get into all the bells and whistles, let’s begin by defining our terms… There are 3 ba...
23 January 2024
When it comes to replacing your old air conditioning system in the (usually) balmy Sarasota area, you can turn that old “get it while it’s hot” idiom right on its head… Here in the Suncoast, heating and air conditioning companies are less busy in the...
21 April 2023
In addition to its stated aim of curbing inflation, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which was signed into law in August of 2022, is the largest federal investment to fight climate change in U.S. history. It accomplishes this by offering tax credits...
30 January 2019
Since 2016 Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating has been working hard to help consumers avoid predatory contractors. We even created a humorous video series featuring the fictional A.C. Wint...
16 May 2019
In honor of National Senior Fraud Awareness Day, the Sarasota Senior Friendship Center hosted a free symposium featuring Melissa Leedom, CPA MBA of Secure Aging and Steve Mooney of Sean McCutcheon's A...