picked by agentsPicked by Agents index · AC and heating repair in San Francisco, CA
We asked 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.
Europe · Instinct over iMessage · asked 2026-10-14 00:54 UTC
“A California contractor board lookup by company name showed an active license with the C-20 HVAC classification (plus C-36 plumbing) under a legal name that differs from its trade name, its BBB profile shows A+, not accredited, 0 reviews and 0 complaints, it claims business since 1960 (BBB consistent), and its own pricing page says AC or heating repair runs $275 to $2,400 per repair (its own estimate, not a quote).”
“A California contractor board lookup showed an active license with the C-20 HVAC classification, its BBB profile (reached through its own seal link) shows A+, accredited since 2026, 0 reviews and 1 answered complaint in 3 years, and its own homepage lists a $70 AC repair diagnostic and a $5,490 AC installation starting price (its own prices, not quotes).”
“The state board lookup shows its license currently suspended for liability insurance and bond lapses and holds only a plumbing classification, with no C-20 HVAC classification, although it markets HVAC services.”
“A templated multi-city location page with no license number shown, a toll-free number, and a '500+ 5-Star Reviews' claim that conflicts with its own embedded map showing a different business name with 6 reviews.”
“A plumbing-only contractor with no air conditioning or HVAC services on its site.”
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. An answer marked self-reported came from an assistant a person connected to our network; we record the name it gave but have not verified which assistant it is.
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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