How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off don't fall in a bait-n-switch trap like your friends on the video to the right!

It’s sad but there are people who are just out to get your money without providing a valuable and ethical service. But the truth is they would not have an opportunity if there were not individuals who believe one could get something of value for a ridiculously low amount of money. “LET THE BUYER BEWARE” is the old adage that rings true when talking about “too good to be true” prices. If you see an ad for carpet cleaning for say $9.95 per room or $59.95 any five rooms … Beware! It could be an unscrupulous carpet cleaner or someone who doesn’t know any better and is imitating one.
We call them “Bait and Switch con artists”. The bait is the unbelievable low price. When they get there they usually demonstrate their double scrub cleaning method or their deluxe cleaning service which of course costs “extra”. That’s the switch. And this is what it means if you don’t buy any of the double or deluxe services, they usually won’t pre-spray the traffic areas or work the pre-spray in with a carpet grooming tool. The “extra”, which should have been included in the initial price, is usually an additional charge of so many dollars or cents per square foot that you are not supposed to pay. Now the room you thought you were going to pay $9.95 for has tripled or more and that’s before you decide to buy any add-ons like carpet protector, deodorizer and sanitizer.
In reality, when you add up the cost of the equipment, van, labor, insurance, advertising and other overheads, it costs the average reputable company over $50.00 just to send someone to your door. And that’s before there is any work done. So how can they clean for that price? They can’t. And if you insist they do what they advertised, they will either leave, try to get a minimum trip charge for coming out, or have you sign a contract that, in short, states that you decline appropriate cleaning procedures making you the absolute responsible party for the final outcome of their service. After this they just lightly clean around the furniture very quickly and leave you with a freshly overwet dirty carpet.

What Can You Do?
First of all, don’t be fooled by unbelievable low prices. If the prices look too good to be true, then they probably are. When you see these unbelievable prices picture yourself driving 5 to 10 miles with your helper on the right to clean let’s say… 3 rooms for $39.85  and you invest 60 minutes cleaning and 15 minutes setting up your equipment and 15 minutes picking it up. 30 minutes driving each way (if no traffic may be less) but the picture is 2 hrs.   Now let’s figure $10 worth of gas (remember the machine runs with gas 1hr no stop) $5 cleaning solutions and $20 helper labor that’s if anybody wants to work for only $10 hr. Your total is $35 not including advertisement and total overhead and you are left with $4.85.  Would you do it? THAT ’S RIGHT! YOU COULDN’T! With this picture in mind it will be easier for you to understand that nobody will clean your carpet for a very low price and if anybody does, you will not be happy with the results GUARANTEED!

You see education is very important; the best thing to do is get informed. After you gather enough information about carpet cleaning and you are ready to shop around interview the person on the other side of the line when you call and not only that when you have chosen a company, interview the technician who comes to your door as well. Always remember it’s your home it’s your investment and ultimately your health and your loved ones. 

Here are some key questions you should ask:

1. Are your technician’s employees or subcontractors? (Watch out if they are subcontractors). Most of the time subcontractors work on commission and they are underpaid; so the sooner they finish, the more jobs they do a day and final pricing is always left up to their discretion they are the ones who actually see the conditions of the carpet so the more expensive the job the higher their commission.
2. What certification does your company and employees have? This is important reputable companies get certified trough proper study and testing. They get updated as technology changes constantly as well as the laws and request that their technicians get certified.  
3. What cleaning method does your company use? Please explain it to me. (See methods of Cleaning)
4. What type of equipment do you use? Portable or truck mounted? If you are using portable what sort of a machine is it? not all portible machines work well but the ones with three stage two motor vacuum and at least 200 PSI will perform almost like a truck mounted. remember this it will be helpful if you decide or need to hire someone who uses a portible extractor.
5. Are there any extras that you will charge me for or offer me? What are they and how much? Reputable companies will offer you odor control (deodorizer), sanitizer and/or carpet protector at additional cost. REPUTABLE COMPANIES WOULD NOT CHARGE YOU FOR ADDITIONAL CLEANERS OR PRE-SPOTERS THOSE SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS THE IICRC PROGRAM MANDATES!
6. Do you charge a trip charge or mileage charge?
7. Do you have a written guarantee? What is it? Always request a guarantee in writing if the company does not provide this you probably want to take your business somewhere else.
8. Can you give me a list of satisfied customers? May I call one or two?
9. Are you a member of the Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau?
10. Why should I use your company over any one else. If they can’t answer that question to your satisfaction, do not use them.

And last but no least, how do you clean a fifth generation carpet? you can call our company for the answer and continue shopping around there is no charge or comitment whatsoever for assisting you.

No need to continue shopping? call us now at 310-872-0453