A TLC tech showed up at my in-law's (retired in th...

A TLC tech showed up at my in-law's (retired in their mid-80's) to do a routine maintenance check on their 18-year-old HVAC rooftop unit for $180. He found a failing capacitor and the pressures were all normal. He showed the in-law's photos from his phone of rust on the condenser and mentioned that he didn't think it would make it through the end of the year. So he provided a proposal recommending a total unit replacement for $11,000-13,000. My in-laws were prepared to remove retirement funds from an IRA to pay for a replacement. I was asked by the in-laws to come out and take a look (I am a mechanical engineer with 17 years of experience in the HVAC field). The recommendation to replace the HVAC unit is out of line not to mention the cost of the proposal being extremely high. The minor rust was due to standing water in the condensation collection pan certainly not necessary for a total replacement. I made one call to another HVAC firm and got a quote of $7,000-$8,000 if I wanted the unit replaced and they recommended if it ain't broke don't replace it. I do not trust TLC and cannot recommend them.
12/22/20 UPDATE: It is the end of the year and the mother-in-law's heat pump unit is still operating fine with the normal rust that appeared in the photo just like Thompson Heating & Air Conditioning rep said it would. The "beyond repair" response by TLC is missing the point and mirrors what the tech did in field. Are you looking at the picture posted? It is like going to your car dealer for an engine light problem that requires an oil filter change which they fix and are "compelled to be transparent" to sell you a new car because their is minor rust inside the wheelwell that is "beyond repair".