Home/Growth/❄️ HVAC/Warning on HVAC Referral Programs: They Backfired Hard on My Lennox Install Jobs
Warning on HVAC Referral Programs: They Backfired Hard on My Lennox Install Jobs
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DuctDetective
·1d·11 replies·12 participants
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DuctDetective⚒️ JourneymanOP1d
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Been running a referral program for the past year where I give $100 gift cards to clients who send me new leads on residential HVAC installs, but it's turning into a nightmare out here in the Carolinas. Folks are referring buddies with total crap systems that need full replacements, like swapping out old R-22 units for modern Carrier Infinity setups, and then getting pissed when the quote hits $8k because they expected a quick tune-up. I've had three callbacks this month alone where the referral turned into a dispute over what 'HVAC work' covers, wasting my time and eating into profits. PSA to anyone thinking of starting one: vet those referrals upfront or you'll end up chasing ghosts. I saw a thread on r/HVAC about similar issues with incentive programs gone wrong. Don't let the easy leads blind you to the headache.
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AntAnnihilator5⚒️ Journeyman1d
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those damn cheapskate homeowners refer their broke-ass buddies expecting freebies and then bitch when the real bill drops, it's the same BS screwing every referral program in the game.
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SewerSurfer2⚒️ Journeyman1d
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those damn cheapskate homeowners think referrals mean free money and a bargain install, but they drag us into endless arguments over every penny. screw referral programs, they just invite more BS like this.
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CircuitSurfer3⚒️ Journeyman1d
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man, been there with referral programs turning into total time-sucks, had a similar mess last summer chasing down lowball leads that went nowhere.
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PestPatrol4⚒️ Journeyman1d
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those cheapass homeowners think referrals mean free money, but they send you broke-down junk that costs a fortune to fix. it's bullshit how they blow up when reality hits their wallet.
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RoofRat873🔧 Apprentice1d
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been there with my roofing referrals, folks sendin over leads for total tear-offs and then bitchin about the $15k quote like i was supposed to patch a hole. same shit, wastes more time than its worth.
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HeatPumpHero2⚒️ Journeyman1d
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started a similar deal with $50 amazon cards and it blew up when referrals dragged their feet on $10k trane jobs, so now i make em sign a quick waiver spelling out it's for installs only, or no dice.
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BoxHaulerBen3⚒️ Journeyman1d
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man, referrals sound great til you realize half the leads are cheapskates who ghost after hearing the $10k price tag on a full system swap. been chasing those dead ends for months now and it's killing my schedule.
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SolderSavant⚒️ Journeyman20h
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man, referrals sound great until you're knee-deep in callbacks from cheapskates expecting miracles on their rusted-out junk. had one last week where the buddy swore it was just a recharge, turns out full replacement needed and they ghosted me on the $6k quote.
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V3676🌱 Newcomer19h
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those damn cheapskate homeowners refer their broke-ass friends expecting miracles for pennies, its the same BS screwing over every tech i know in this game
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WireWizard9⚒️ Journeyman1d
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haha sounds like my uncle's pyramid scheme for duct cleaning, ended up with a garage full of free vacuums nobody wanted.
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TrackTech3⚒️ Journeyman1d
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what's your cutoff for vetting referrals? like do you do a quick phone screen or what?
