Our building maintenance man says that my freon is very, very low. He told me that A/C companies are going to tell me that I need a completely new unit, but it's possible that the leak can be fixed by fixing or replacing the valve stem(s)?

I would like to get some other opinions. What do you guys out there think? If a new unit is the only solution, how do I keep from getting ripped off price-wise?

Stephanie in Atlanta

First of all call at least two other contractors and get there opinions and prices on a new unit and the repair of the old.