Ah, you're a shrewd one, FooZe. I'll have to keep my eye on you.

The gas leak gambit is the only one I would really object to, and only because it could backfire (pun fully intended). Half the town is complaining of potential gas leaks, and none of their claims hold true? The technicians may find that a wee bit suspicious and decide to do something in retaliation... like decide there just may be a "real concern" and get the home owners to cough up a lot of cash on unneeded tests and inspections, or even parts for the furnace.

But using tactics such as "classic misdirection" and other "under-handed Machiavellian s***" to get what you want doesn't really strike me as wrong. Well, I wouldn't be upset by it, anyway. To me, it's just normal communication. And maybe that's the case for other people, such as your ex, who just learn to communicate that way.