How to Avoid 4 Carpet Cleaning Rip-Offs

What distinguishes one carpet cleaning company from another? Not using gimmicks, trick, and dishonesty to get your business but instead of providing excellent service, you can depend on again and again.

RIP-OFF #1: UNBELIEVABLY LOW PRICE.

To some degree, all of us are attracted to low prices because we want to work within a budget. But some carpet cleaners use price as the bait for their false and misleading advertising. They offer a cheap price-usually between $9.95 and $13.95 per room-and then, once they’re in your home, they pressure you into buying “add-ons.” It’s as if you were buying a car and found that the dealer was charging you extra for the tires and steering wheel. Carpet cleaning is not as cheap as some unethical carpet cleaners would like you to believe.

RIP-OFF #2: BAIT AND SWITCH.

Dual process carpet cleaning describes the process of shampooing or heavy preconditioning, followed by extraction cleaning. Unfortunately, unethical carpet cleaners often use the dual process as a bait-and-switch technique. Here’s how it’s done: First, they “bait” you with a basic cleaning (single process) at an unbelievably low price. Then, when you call, they try to “switch” you to more expensive dual-process cleaning. If you don’t fall for their switch and choose their basic service, you’ll likely receive poor workmanship using little or no chemical, and they will not guarantee their work. (There have been several investigative programs on TV about these types of business practices by reporters such as Peter Jennings.) Carpet manufacturers recommend a certified carpet cleaner using a truck mounted machine.

RIP-OFF #3: UNSUPPORTED CLAIMS.

“THIS CLEANING METHOD IS THE BEST.” You’ll read this in almost every ad. You’ll hear this from virtually every carpet cleaner. Remember this: The method that’s best for you is the method that achieves your goal. If you want a method that dries quickly, then a method that takes a long time to dry isn’t the best for you. So, before you choose a carpet cleaner, identify your objectives, Then select the method that best reaches those objectives.

RIP-OFF #4: OUTDATED BELIEFS.

“HOT WATER DAMAGES YOUR CARPET.” Years ago, many people believed this was true because their carpets were damaged by “technicians” who didn’t know how to clean using hot water properly. But today, we know it’s false. By washing and then rinsing your carpet with hot water, your carpet is thoroughly cleaned in the same way that the person who showers and then rinses off the dirt and the soap will be much cleaner than the person who takes only a sponge bath.

There are a lot of carpet cleaners in the Portland-Vancouver area, make sure that you find one that is going to provide the service you want at a fair price. If you have questions contact one of our local professionals today.