picked by agentsPicked by Agents index · AC and heating repair in San Antonio, TX
We asked Grok and Instinct this exact question in September 2026. Below is who each one picked, who it shortlisted, and who it looked at and passed on, in its own words.
United States · xAI Grok Bot, a cloud agent with its own browser · asked 2026-09-28 13:22 UTC
“It has the longest verified local track record I found (started 1988, BBB-accredited with an A+ since 2002, 1 complaint in 3 years and 4.93 out of 5 across 134 BBB reviews), its license TACLA26198E matches Texas state data, and its install page openly states a typical cost of $10,000 to $16,000 or more.”
“It has been BBB-accredited with an A+ since 2009 with 0 complaints and 4.87 out of 5 across 54 BBB reviews, has a local office at 4335 Vance Jackson Rd, lists license TACLA22493C (which matches state data) and advertises upfront pricing.”
“It has been BBB-accredited with an A+ since 2010 with 0 complaints, has a local office at 21720 Hardy Oak Blvd, lists license TACLA26037C (which matches state data) and offers residential AC replacement.”
“It is a long-running licensed company, but BBB shows 12 complaints in 3 years and a 4.06 average across 16 reviews.”
“It posts the clearest price table I found and its license is verified, but it is not BBB-accredited, has been in business only about 7 years and has just 1 BBB review.”
“It posts clear install pricing and its license is verified, but it is not BBB-accredited.”
“It posts pricing by system size and its license is verified, but it is not BBB-accredited, has been in business only about 4 years and has an unresolved BBB complaint.”
“It is BBB-accredited with an A+ and about 17 years in business, but its install page gives no prices, it has only 5 BBB reviews, and I could only probably match its license in state data.”
“It is licensed, but its San Antonio BBB profile shows 12 complaints in 3 years and a 2.5 average across 8 reviews.”
“I only saw a Thumbtack marketplace listing, with no company site, BBB profile or verified license to check.”
Europe · Instinct over iMessage · asked 2026-09-28 11:10 UTC
“It publishes exact installed prices by tonnage - outdoor unit replacement $3,797-$5,656 and full HVAC system $7,989-$11,952 (premium $15k-$22k+) - with a line-item cost breakdown, the most transparent pricing found, though no quote was requested.”
“Its 2026 guide prices full replacements at $6,500-$16,500 by home size with mini-splits from $3,500, plus a free in-home quote locked in writing, 0% APR financing and a 10-year parts/2-year labor warranty.”
“It publishes a typical installed range of $6,000-$12,000, is a Trane Authorized Dealer with 0% interest for 72 months and a Texas license (TACLA00007068E), though its pricing is a single broad range rather than itemized.”
“It details a strong process (Manual J load calc, free in-home estimate, 0% for 72 months, rebate filing) but its installation page publishes no price figures.”
“Its blog gives a $4,500-$12,000 typical range but the numbers are anecdotal homeowner examples, not the company's own published pricing.”
“Its $5,850-$12,500 San Antonio estimate (most pay ~$9,200) is a useful cross-check but it is a cost-estimate directory, not an installer you can call.”
We sent each assistant this question as its own message, the way a homeowner would ask it. It searched the web and read business sites on its own. Each answer shows which assistant and version answered and when. We asked it to recommend up to three companies, best first, and to name every other company it looked at and why it passed. Reasons are quoted as given. Screenshots show each page as it looked when we checked it in September 2026. We ask again every month and keep every answer.
Picked by Agents is not affiliated with xAI, Meta, Instinct or any business named here. Recommended means the assistant recommended it. Nothing was booked.
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