Atlas Services reviews and complaints

This company is not a scam, more aptly, it is a scheme.

Rather than its competitors in the market, it brings customers in with a far reduced annual fee including a claimed replacement on all 'majors'. As this "peace of mind" is why homeowners/investors purchase these contracts, that is an important element. Only, every time -- EVERY TIME -- a service call is made the technician insists the part/work is not covered by the contract. More often than not, an expensive repair is offered up as the solution with a 'well, you do realize it is x-years old...' thrown in.

When you balk, as covering these repairs is why such a company is supposed to exist, usually a call to 'corporate' ensues and the result will vary. But, each time work has been needed the company has aggressively and in an inappropriately uncomfortable manner pushed an additional fee.

Air conditioner? Too old to repair and we misunderstood the use of the words "replacement included" in the contract. Worse, the company put in an inferior system to keep the cost around $3k to come in just under the lowest priced competitor. That new one the company installed, it breaks down with regularity multiple times during the warmest months and, you guessed it, the company always says it requires something not covered. As well, the company's ownership has been less than honest -- if not downright unethical -- in our dealings with the ex-wife/husband duo.

Even a simple toilet repair turned into a near nightmare when the tech wanted us to pay to install an entirely unnecessary and expensive new valve he visibly worked to break. We balked, and he then actually tried to break our toilet seat (on which he was seated in obvious frustation over not makeing 'the sale') and wanted to sell us a new one at $40 or so. Unbelievable.

The ownership itself is questionable as apparently the ex-wife owns the company while her 'former' husband runs it. One cannot help but think this divorce was motivated by corporate liabilities -- as they appear to employ it again and again...tag-team sympathy, no doubt. Their competition is not without its problems, as you almost always require multiple calls to solve a problem, but the company solves it and is clear on what it covers and what it does not. ATLAS is a retailer of home appliances and related services that masquerades as a 'worry free' contractor for household repairs. It is, more accurately, a scheme to sell new appliances.

Sadly, it is precisely the kind of operation that makes people cringe when dealing with a needed home repair. Just this morning, a cold one here, my neighbor had Atlas' top competitor out for a complete overhaul of his original (nearly twenty year old) air conditioner. No questions asked, no arguing, no excuses. And no additional payment. The competition just fixed it.

You will not get this service from Atlas. Instead, you will get more headaches and expenses and -- if you are lucky or pushy -- a rather insincere sob story from either the [ex] wife or her former [?] husband. My experience/our experience, stay away. Far away. Unless you want to pay them for slightly "discounted" new appliances that are typically bottom of the barrel stuff and deal with a whole lot of unpleasantness.

My mother who is 86 years old and in failing health has a contract with Atlas Services. Her air conditioner stopped working. An Atlas Service representative came to her home insisting that my mother purchase a new air conditioner for $2500 even though her contract said they would repair same. Later that day I learned of this and contacted Atlas. They then requested I fax a letter of cancellation within two days. I faxed it the same day and yet they still charged my mother's credit card. I am in receipt of a letter signed by Kimberly Grossman dated 10-20-09 where it states; "Atlas Services is in receipt of your cancellation letter dated today's date for the purchase of a new air conditioning system for your mother...".

It is my opinion Atlas hopes the elderly does not look at their credit card statements. I had a similar incident with Kimberly Grossman in 2000. Kimberly Grossman filed a false police report stating I said something I did not say. Because of her outrageous allegation to the Police Department, I filed a lawsuit against Atlas Services. Imagine the following; if you were right, would you fork over money to me? Absolutely not however Atlas Services did stating in the release they were not admitting to any wrong doing. Give me a brake. I committed the entire conversation to tape and her attorney wanted a copy of the tape before me taking Ms. Grossman's deposition. I objected stating I did not want her to conform her testimony based on the contents of the tape and the Court agreed. Once the Court agreed, Atlas decided it would be best to settle but not admit they screwed up.

Apparently things still haven't changed. They told my mother she needed a new air conditioner and once I got involved, they replaced a few "burnt wires." at no charge according to their contract.

To everyone out there, think twice before signing a contract with Atlas. Florida is the only state that such companies exist. Odds are with you that if you do not enter into contracts with such companies as Atlas, chances are over the years you will come out a winner and you can purchase whatever you need when and if something breaks.