I avoided a furnace rip off

[mom-from-missouri]

My renter called. She is having trouble with the heat pump. After instructing her how to turn it to emergecy heat I also got to thinking that I failed to change the filter in the upstairs unit (I did change the filter in the downstairs one however)

To order one new from the furnace/heat pump dealer is $120. Hardware stores don't carry the type it uses. So, I did as I did last year, and ordered a "generic" one off of ebay for $28 and free shipping. The generic ones are actually made a little more sturdy than the "real" or brand name ones.

I had it shipped directly to her and when it comes in she will call me and I will combine it with another trip I have to make in that direction and change it for her. This unit is in the attic, and she has some health issues and I would rather she not be in the attic. However, in Feb when the downstairs one is ready to change out, she should be able to change that one herself.

What a rip off. Such a difference in price from $28 to $120. And, the cheaper one is of better quality. I checked around, the shop price is in line with other shops around.

I asked a retired heating guy from church why. He said to get a discount price you have to buy hundreds of them. And the small shops can't do that because they have so many types of furnaces that they would not be able to stock. The ebay guys don't even have a shop. They just have a warehouse and sell these. He also said towards the end of his business, he started buying some off of ebay as well, and said the quality was just as good.