From Fran Savoie - I just wanted to pass this info on for anyone that needs a plumber. We had a water softener installed and, believe it or not, the plumber charged us less than the price he had quoted {which we would have gladly paid  - it was reasonable}. The job did not take as long as expected but it was only by a few minutes.  That is a first for us!  They did a great job  -- installed it in the garage instead of outside - that's a plus.

        The price we paid was $177.00 less than another plumbing company wanted.

   This is the plumbers name - Charlie's Plumbing -Leesburg -352-326-5088.

Dorothy Jensen recommends Carter's Appliance Service out of Astatula. Owner Randy Carter (wife answers phone) 352-742-1347. Our garbage disposal quit and he came out and replaced it, telling me it was still under warranty. He also gladly answered several other appliance related questions I had. I liked him. (but then I like almost everybody, even Emil)

The Jensens do not recommend Del Air. They called last Fall to say we needed to schedule a routine maintance check. The lady said it was part of the contract and we had already paid for it, so we had them come. I asked her about the cost specifically since it was less than a year since installation and wouldn't have had them come if there was a charge. When they were through, they presented us with a bill for $59. The technicians said they weren't supposed to leave without the money, dinner was on the table, we didn't make a fuss, just paid it. Called and wrote a letter protesting but didn't get anywhere. Found out later that they had jammed the wrong size filter in the slot and it was all crinkled up and not doing it's job.

Hi Dorothy. I too have had a bad experience with Del Air. I no longer will have them come to my home for any of their services.When I bought my new programmable thermostat from them the problems started. To make the story short they replaced the thermostat two times and still the problems continued. Finally they said that I neededed an earlier model of the device which they could not purchase from Honeywell, because they could only purchase in larger quantities and this would be a singular purchase. I had to contact the Honeywell folks myself to obtain the device for them. They finally put the device in an I programmed the device myself. In addition to this they ran off with my original thermostat. I called them on this an they said that the technician would return it. I am still waiting. I wrote a letter to the president of the company with a copy to the general manager to tell them of my bad experience but they did not have the courtesy to answer me back. It's good bye to Del Air for me! Fred Crawford

From Rozann Dorn - Hey, Dorothy! I've been meaning to give you a name of the young man who, with his buddy, helped us unload our truck when we got back from Ohio. His name is Mike Kelly. He and his buddy (I've forgotten his name!) were so careful and so fast with our 'stuff' that I thought you might like to make people aware of their services. He used to work for a moving company and now is doing it on his own. What nice, polite, hard-working young men they were! They are willing to move a piece of furniture or a whole house. We felt they were very reasonable, considering what we had been quoted by movers. I'm thinking it was $50/hour. It only took them one hour to empty the truck! Now granted, we had minimal furniture (which they set up for us!) but we had a TON of boxes, a treadmill, etc. Anyway, Mike can be reached at 787-4778 but we found it easier to reach him on his cell phone at 408-7211.

Joe Nosek recommends Ace's Towing (owner Miguel Matos) 352-315-1160, cell phone 352-516-6634. Miguel was the guy who towed the U-Haul truck out of the sand next to Emil Mack's house. Joe reports he was fast, knowledgeable and easy to get along with. He's out of Leesburg.

We had Reedy carpet install a new carpet in our family room and they also stretched our existing carpets in three rooms. We were pleased with their service. Duane Berkman

Dorothy, I feel properly chastised since I didn't respond and have a couple of people that did some work for us and we liked them very much.

1. Our vinyl windows on the lanai were done by Tom Richardson - 352-343-8156. His work was excellent, the product excellent and his price was 30-40% less than two other estimates we obtained.

2. Our drive, walk, porch and lanai were done by Brad Allen of Concrete Creations - 728-3569. He also does excellent work and his price is very good.  Bob Stapp

From Bob & Eileen Milam: Just today we had a great experience with Jeff Williams and his brother Mike Williams, from Southern Metals. Ever since we have lived here, we have had problems with a bifold closet door that was incorrectly installed when the house was built....and never got repaired correctly in the many calls to the Construction Office. Today, these fellows came within two hours of Bob's phone call to them. They gave us an estimate of $25, took the door outside, permanently fixed it by adding a metal plate and put it back in place - working better than it ever did.

They specialize in windows, doors, screen rooms, etc., and have recently added "handy man" jobs to their repertoire. Their phone is 352-267-2471.

Also, with our history of construction nails in auto tires, we can recommend the folks at Pro Tire, next to the Post Office, in Leesburg. They have repaired or replaced tires for us promptly and with reasonable charge. On one occasion, they told us we did not need to buy a new set of tires - when the manager of another (unnamed) tire purveyor had previously told us we needed new tires.

Hi, the only service person we have had to use is a painter, and he's a good one. Came to us on the Advice of Dot and Ted . Two brothers working together. They did a great job in what I consider record time, and the cost was very reasonable. Nice people, obviously very busy. After the job was looked at and the price set, it took three weeks to get'em here, but we were pleased. BROWN's PAINTING, Clermont, 352-394-7033. We are also not too pleased with Del Air. Would like to know someone else to engage and get a maintenance contract. Gerrie and Tom Reed

From Don Maples:  I've had great automotive service from 'Tri-city Automotive' 851 W. Alfred St 343-2181 over in Tavares. (On Hiway 19, thru Howie, over the bridge, located just before 441; go past that big pink chair and turn right.) My Nissan had a problem the dealer couldn't fix. Tri-city has a weekly call-in Q&A show on radio WLBE AM 790. I called the show, he said he could probably fix the problem. Took it in and he did. Their diagnostic charge is less than other places and deducted from bill if repairs are done. Not a 'big, fancy' place but they sure seem to know their business and they have been there a long time.

Hi Dorothy, The good news is a game dealer in the Market of Marion. N & B Quality Merchandise. There was a problem with a purchase and they couldn't have been more accommodating to make it good.

The bad news is Jerry's Vacuums and Janitorial on 14th st. in the Gateway Plaza.
They have been advertising a rug rake for $9.00. We went there this morning and the man there, said that advertisement should have been pulled, but if I wanted the rake he had there he would sell it to me for $9.00. By the way the rake they are advertising is not the rake he sold to me. Also no credit card purchases for items under $20.00.
Shirley and Dave Eggers

From Ann Weaver - We had window film installed yesterday (Sept 24-02) and couldn't have been more pleased with both the owner and the installers -- Sutherland Solar Control. He gave us a list that included many from Golfview who have used them so this information is not new. But it was such a pleasure to deal with someone who was so "on time" and reasonable.

From Martin Pearl - The tradesman I am recommending was originally referred to me by Gary McBee so he may already be on your list and one more yea vote wont hurt. He is an  electrician by the name of Cliff Johnson, Johnson Electric in Leesburg  352-787-1304. His service was timely, he  accomplished the job professionally at a reasonable price and he was affable as well.