How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Carpet Cleaning Scams

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Carpet Cleaning Scams was first seen on: http://refreshcarpetclean.com

As sure as you are that the sun rises every day, you can be sure that there will always be a carpet cleaning scam. People fall for them all the time. Here is how you can avoid becoming a victim of a bait and switch carpet cleaning scam.

How carpet cleaning scams work

Before you learn how to prevent yourself from falling for these cons, you need to know how they work. Bait and switch scams usually work in two stages. They bait you with the low prices, and once you hire their services, they switch to higher ones making you pay more.

First, a cleaning company advertises that they can clean a roomful of carpet for an unbelievably low price. You sign up for it and ask them to clean your carpet. When they come, they tell you that the price quoted was exclusive of the cleaning chemicals. So, you have no choice but to pay for the chemicals since someone showed up. At the end of the whole process, you end up paying hundreds of dollars for the service.

Another scam is where a cleaning company advertises that they can clean a set number of rooms at a very small fee. Again, you contact them and hire their services. Once they start, you find out that a closet, hallway, and foyer also count as rooms. After they finish, you find that you have paid more than you had budgeted for.

These scams mainly target seniors who are drawn by someone who promises good deals and high-pressure tactics.
However, you can know a legitimate company from the appearance.

Professional carpet cleaning technicians will arrive at your residence in a company vehicle. They may also have a business card, are well groomed, and in some cases are uniformed.

If the person or people come in an unbranded van, are not well groomed, and their appearance makes you uneasy, you should think twice as you could be the next victim.

How to avoid being a bait and switch victim

The surest way you can avoid being a victim is by asking some questions before you hire the cleaning company. Do not limit yourself to one company. Instead, call several companies and if one cannot answer or their answers are not satisfactory, move to the next one.

Always second guess a deal that sounds too good as it might not be true.

You can ask the following questions:

1. Are you certified to carry out carpet cleaning? Where did you get your certification from? If it was the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration then they are good.

2. How long have you been in business? The more experience they have, the better.

3. Do you have a reference list I can call to confirm your services?

4. Do you have a drug free policy in your company? Businesses that do not have drug policies pose a risk to you, and your loved ones when they come.

5. Are you licensed and insured? If so, can you provide proof?

6. What are the steps included in the cleaning process you use?

7. Are your cleaning solutions eco-friendly and safe for my family, pets, and earth?

8. How long will the cleaned carpet take to dry?

9. Do you offer free, no-obligation, on site written consultations as part of your service?

10. Do you have a written or money back guarantee or satisfaction guarantee?

If the company answers all these questions satisfactorily, you are in the clear. However, just to be safe, you can also check the reputation of the firm with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org. You can also check at the consumer affairs department at many different provincial and federal offices.

Once you have checked all these and hired the cleaning company, you should pay with a major credit card. It would make it easy to dispute the bill if the work was not to your standards. Paying cash is an option but not advisable since most cleaning companies are reluctant to come back after you have paid the bill.

If you don't believe that carpet cleaning scams actually exist, check out this informative news article:

source http://refreshcarpetclean.com/?p=2730