Grdenko, I am not saying that YOUR particular mechanic was not truthful or faithful.... I am just saying that in general any mechanic does have a conflict of interests sometimes that they may not even be aware of......
Different cars exist in different states of Efficiency , even if they are the same model and year.... and ' little ' things like the blockage on the fins.... can make or break a ' marginally ' designed system.... I am sure they work GREAT in GERMANY.... but most agree that in Texas heat they need to be at their best for us humans to be comfortable all the time.
Diesel fuel is used by TRUCKS, LOCOMOTIVES, and Farm TRACTORS and possibly could also be used in oil fired heaters for houses in the north.... the banning of consumer automobiles would not eliminate the demand for diesel fuel... but what would be the demand side of the equation if no machines used for cooling existed which were designed for R-12 ? This is not a naturally occuring product pumped out of the ground... it did not exist until the engineers needed it specifically for the requirements of refrigeration. And for those parameters it is as close to perfect as they could manage to create and manufacture.
The key to low cost R-12 purchase right now is to buy it yourself.. not at the local garage.... Ebay or places like Rick found...
When I tried to get my 81 wagon ac fixed about 4 years ago the shop was quoting me $50 a lb for R-12... it is now to where we can buy it for about $20 a lb in car sized quantities, and looks like $10 a lb for larger containers.... until the price trend at least STARTS to go back the other direction I say I am still right about this.
I have seen mulitple 100 degree days in May and we are almost to a late Thanksgiving and it was 81 here yesterday... we have a long period of time here in Texas where we need good cooling to be presentable when we arrive at our destination.