re: $750 to replace 3 working capacitors...

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Now a capacitor, If you happen to still have an Ace Hardware around, they have a pretty good selection in house and on hand.

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Or a local mechanical supply shop, also can get them online. Amrad or Titan HD, both USA made.

The CL445 is more HVAC oriented, does everything the CL220 does plus has in-rush current, higher voltage rating for measuring back-EMF, etc. I would recommend neither for the OP though, this Ideal meter is a little cheaper and has all the same functions of the CL220, and is better built than the Klein. I own a CL445, got it when they were $75 and was a really good deal for an in-rush capable clamp meter. Cheap for a reason, the leads are junk and don't stay well connected to the jacks, even with better Amprobe leads they can fall out unless checked regularly in-use. Now it sits in an inspection bag, got an Amprobe 52NAV to replace it.

Ideal clamp meter.

Flex Capacitors ?

This is one of the things that is so simple to do, that everyone should learn it and keep spares on hand. A couple of YouTube videos and I have full faith everyone can do it

Unless you are unfortunate enough to own a unit where the capacitor is mounted behind other things, one of my old Trane XL units was that way. Required an odd MFD capacitor too that I had to order as nobody around here had it. Got 2 spares, then the evap coil crapped out so I had to get a whole new system anyway. Now I have capacitors to a late 1990's Trane if anyone needs one...

I had a great one strategically left for me last time I need it. Too bad the fan motor was out that time

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Do these charges sound reasonable?

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no.

Amrad or Titan HD capacitors are ~$15 each, could go up or down by a few bucks depending on exact model. Putting a set of guages on each unit to check pressures and cleaning them should be a 1-1.5 hour job per unit depending on if there are issues that come up ( unit extra dirty, issues getting fan cage off condenser to wash from inside out, water supply located really far away from ac unit.. etc., etc.) Even @ $375 for described work would be on the steep side unless there was a signifcant amount of troubleshooting involved with multiple parts needing to be replaced (relay, board, stat, etc..)

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When your AC stops working, the first step is the capacitor and contacto

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This is not the best advice.

Here’s my experience as a rental property owner.

OP, that’s not a good price but not abnormal. Avg charge for a bad capacitor is about $250. $100-$150 for the capacitor plus the service call.

People love ‘service programs’ but the reality is this is why they are done. The service call is ‘free’, basically it’s pre paid and anything that needs ‘replaced’ is at a normal charge or 10% off. But they’ll replace capacitors like this for no real reason.

The first thing to check in the south is the hvac drain line and float switch.

Then make sure the thermostat is working. Then see if the inside unit is blowing and then that the outside unit is kicked on. I just had an issue with a loose wire in the outside unit breaker panel and that’s not the first time I’ve seen that, though certainly more rare than a capacitor.

Capacitors don’t go bad as often as this board like to make them think they do, but they are certainly a top 5 item and cheap to keep on hand.