Ok
You may have found a 15.00 capacitor but they are cheap and we can buy some for 3.25. They are junk, come from Mexico and fail regularly in new units. We have capacitors that cost us 55.00 that have 5 year warranty. We don't control pricing of parts or the part you found on the Internet. But if you buy a coke at a corner market for 1.69 what do you think it cost them?
We use a standard baseline mark up and treat everyone with respect and fairness. To say the industry is rigged is just like the post with the new Duramax on the lift at 15k, you have NO idea what it cost to operate a business!
In the HVAC industry we compete with Bubba and a Truck, Call him when it is 95 degrees to come back and put that 13.00 a lb freon in your system. If he answers the phone, good for you.
It is coming to a point where you just think you know what is happening in the Quality tech service industry.....who do you know that is pursuing a future in plumbing, electricial or HVAC industry?
What do you think it going to cost you to call and get someone to drive to your house in 5 years due to the reduced number of techs? Don't count on getting it done that day if you are not a regular customer that has a service agreement to check the mechanical systems twice a year like you should.
The new equipment is getting much more complicated and the industry is taking the easy stuff out and building in proprietary parts that you can only get from their distributor.
Enjoy your day and make sure you treat your HVAC system like you do your truck and it may last you 15 years.
Rant over!