R12 or R134 ?

I suspect that the bulk of impromptu "conversions" are the result of inadvertantly loosening a seal when moving the compressor. Shops wouldn't want to admit to accidentally spilling your R12 to atmosphere, but don't want to pay the cost of replacing it out of pocket, so they charge you for the replacement R134 as a "conversion" that you didn't request.

Ever look closely at a "conversion" bill? Done right, the R12 is scavanged back into a holding tank that the shop can then use to recharge R12 systems. Do they pay you for the R12 they got from your system, to offset what they charge you for R134? (Yah, right.) (They charge people for R12 they recharge with. If it came from your car, ...)

Ask that, and see if they don't tell you that there wasn't any -- and then they'll think to tell you that they "had to" convert because your system "had a leak" ... (that it didn't have when it came in) -- (and nothing on the bill about "fixing a leak").

(I've dealt with a lot of slimy shops over the years. And it's usually the business types, not the wrenches, that are the greasiest of the lot.)

 

Those are good points DGS.

5-6 years ago shops in CA were charging $60-$80/lb for R12.

I did have one shop salvage the freon and then ruse it after replacing a line. He was unusual and honest.

You can buy all you want in Mexico for peanuts!