Stung By the Sting

My editorial in the July 23 print issue of The NEWS concerning the NBC “Today” Show sting showing dishonest HVAC technicians seems to have hit a nerve, a raw nerve. I received emails from two veterans of the industry who agree with me that something is really wrong with the supposed professionals that represent us in the homes of unsuspecting customers.

Al Veeck with the National Air Filtration Association felt we needed more integrity and more character from the employees. He related what he had been taught by his parents, “Do the job like you owned the piece of equipment yourself.” He ended by saying, “We forget sometimes that we have to teach core values to the next generation.”

Russell Tavolacci with Next-Tech Solutions said, “We need to take proactive measures rather than simply hoping that contractors see the broadcast.” His idea was to conduct similar sting operations to get a better idea of the seriousness of the situation, then document it and share it within the industry. He also suggested a training program in the basics of customer communications, interaction, and integrity.

Al and Russell…I’m with you my friends. Let’s do this thing!

Editor’s note: This letter is in response to Herb Woerpel’s article “‘Today’ Show Investigation Questions Contractor Integrity,” July 30.

Using ACCA Contractors Would Result in a Different Outcome

This [whole segment] was definitely rigged and ACCA [Air Conditioning Contractors of America] should have backed away from it unless they agreed to use only ACCA contractors. Of course, the results would have been no story.

ACCA could get some good publicity if they filmed their own sting using ACCA contractors. I’m positive the results would be much different. I’m sure The NEWS would publish the results.

Pat Rucker
President
Entech Sales & Service
Dallas

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Publication date: 9/3/2012