I recently had the misfortune of working with John's. I'd hired them on a minor job before and they were fine, so when a spring snapped at my home (it happens), I thought I'd try them again. Big mistake. Two guys came out and we discussed what I was looking for, namely more substantial springs that would hold up better with lots of use. The crew chief recommended installing 262-31 high-cycle springs, which I agreed to, and what appeared on the invoice I ultimately received (see photo). But instead of those, I later discovered that they installed one 250-33 and one 218-24. These were mismatched springs (see photo).
I did some research to find out if it was okay to install two different springs on a garage door. Genini stated: "No, it's generally not okay or safe to install two different garage door springs (like a 250-33 and 218-24) because it creates uneven tension, stressing components and risking premature failure, damage, or injury, even if some doors are designed for different springs; professionals always recommend replacing both springs with matched pairs for balance and safety." ChatGPT said: "Short answer: No -- on a standard residential garage door, it is generally not okay to have two different springs like that." Other searches came up with similar results, and all with a detailed explanation of why this is bad practice and not industry standard.
When I objected to the installed mismatched pair since they were not what I agreed to, not what I was billed for, and not an appropriate approach, I only received a lot of pushback from John's about how this was all just fine, very professionally done, and not a problem at all. As they wrote to me: "Like I said springs on your door now are regulated to your door the ones that I had on the invoice is similar to the ones I put on your door because they were a 2 inch instead of a 1 inch so there's nothing wrong with the springs that I put on your door. They were perfectly fine." Nonsense.
They also told me that our garage doors were old (25 years), failing, and everything needed to be replaced. Sounded like a hustle, but I asked for and received an estimate for the work. I then had other companies come out to inspect the doors and hardware and give me estimates as well, though none said the doors, tracks or hardware were failing, and each of whom scratched their heads over the mismatched springs.
Anyway, John's has refused to make it right either by taking them back and giving me a refund for the cost, or installing matching high-cycle springs like 262-31's. As they said in their 'Final Response', "...since the work was completed appropriately, there is no further action we can take. We consider this matter closed." Despite any assertion they in their Final Response, management never offered to come out and take a look at what was done, rather only to have someone (the installer?) come out and tell me why this was great work, appropriately and professionally done - "I will stop Tuesday to take your other spring and I will explain it to you in person."
They 'explained' it to me twice in their emails, so I didn't want or need to hear it yet again in person. Repetition of nonsense is the very definition of gaslighting.
So, I'm out several hundred dollars and now have to deal with mismatched springs that I didn't ask for, want or buy.
Oh, and the one good spring they removed that wasn't broken that I asked be returned to me so I might be able to use it again somewhere? They agreed, twice, to do so, but they never did return it.
I certainly won't use John's again. If this is the kind of company you think you want to do business with, be forewarned. You can do much better. read more