Those repair men would be incorrect when it comes to motors.
Induction motors (like for compressors in refrigerators and air conditioners) draw more current to maintain the same power output when the voltage is lower. They are essentially constant RPM motors so lower voltage requires more current to maintain the same RPM (work being done). This is not a starting issue. It is a running issue. The higher current causes more heating in the motor and is what shortens their life. This is also true for three phase motors. The lower the voltage from its design voltage the hotter the motor runs when connected to a given load.
The reason I was given from the utility was this. They {cough couch} were making plans for future expansion on the route for development. I live in a rural area. Of course this is the same utility that when I called them once and told them their primary neutral broke and was laying on the ground the dispatcher said that it was harmless. Neutral if you get between it and ground is far more apt too fry you than a the hot. Loose Neutrals kill.
My A/C compressor is over 20 years old. The reason it didn't get fried was the substation was put into operation in the late fall. BTW I also had the company that installed the central A/C unit too short it half a ton on purpose. It runs longer cycles which is what I wanted rather than more frequent start ups. With my fridge I was just lucky but it did get an older one I also had as an extral. Current fridge is 21 years old runs great. Anything over the rated voltage of an appliance is going beyond it's designed efficiency and simply creating more heat thuss shortening it's life. Anything over about 120/240 is really a little much for typical home uses and not necessar nor in any way benifical to the homeowner. 125/250 and above means shortened life on most of all electrical items you own.
I can see some advantages in a much larger venue where you have real long circuit runs say like in a large commercial building but higher voltages being used in the home is unnecessary. But come too think of it we had 120 volts sitting on our building at work. No higher I'm certain. After I retired it likely changed. If you have 115/230 volt service it will serve all your residential needs with no ill effects.