Avoid the “Bait & Switch” Carpet Cleaning Scams

ADVERTISING & SALES TACTICS

Hard working families in the Houston, Tx area; men, women and seniors who are on tight budgets in our current economy tend to be attracted to advertising prominently featuring extraordinary low prices.  This honest desire for a bargain can set them up for a “horror show” in their own home!

How Consumers Are Abused

Everyday through the United States, unethical carpet cleaners prey on unsuspecting homeowners.  They advertise cheap prices, with no intentions whatsoever of actually delivering on this offer.  Instead, they use it just to get in the door, where they will use all sorts of high pressure sales tactics to increase the ticket.  Often methods are:

• They explain to you over the phone that the quoted price was only meant for a particular type of carpet or fiber that the consumer doesn’t have, or so they say.  Or that the original price only includes “basic” water cleaning with a small, portable machine and that due to the condition of the carpet, they will now need a more expensive cleaning. (Keep in mind that these “technicians” are actually commission based “salesmen” without the proper training or certifications to actually understand the cleaning process they are selling).

• They may do an unauthorized demonstration of an add-on service (such as pre-conditioning) in the middle of the room leaving a cleaner spot than the surrounding areas, forcing the consumer to purchase the “up-sell” price for the entire room.
• They may also tell you that the condition of your floor will need a “Deep Scrub”,(If all cleaning done at your home isn’t a “Deep Scrub”, then what exactly are you paying for?)

Why we choose to educate the consumer

These “bad apples” make the entire carpet cleaning industry look bad, and leave consumers not knowing where to turn for honest, ethical service providers.  Because of this, I have joined a nationwide group of carpet cleaners in an effort to put a stop to “Bait & Switch” advertising.

Consumer Education Is The Solution To Consumer Abuse

Knowing just which questions to ask is essential in avoiding the scam artists.  I have dedicated my business to educating consumers in the available carpet cleaning methods as well as which questions to ask a carpet cleaner before you invite them into your home.

For example:

• What method of cleaning do you use?
• Does the price quoted include: pre-vacuuming, pre-conditioning, hot water extraction, spot treatment, furniture cleaning, etc…?
• Do you have any formal training or IICRC certifications, or industry affiliations such as the CRU or BBB?

When it comes to your home and your family it’s time you have a company that cares not just about your flooring, but more so, about you.

Click here to visit our Carpet Cleaning Houston Tx website to find out how Green Clean Carpet Care can assist your household with any Carpet, Upholestry, Tile & Grout or Wood Floor concerns.

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