Ripoffs
HOW TO AVOID FOUR POPULAR CARPET CLEANING RIP-OFFS
RIP-OFF #1: UNREALISTICALLY LOW PRICE. To a large degree, all of us are attracted to low prices, since we all need to work within a budget. Some carpet cleaning companies use price as bait to hook unsuspecting consumers. They offer a "great" low price -- like $6.95, $9.95 or $12.95 "per room" (Strange how a larger living room suddenly becomes 3 "rooms" - honest!). Once in your home, they pressure you into buying "add-ons" that certified cleaners consider to be standard services. Be careful of cleaners offering so-called "two-step cleaning" as options. The price they originally quote is frequently to perform only one or two steps of the complete process used by formally trained and certified cleaners. The steps as recommended by certifying authorities are NOT optional, nor are they add-ons. ALL of the steps are required for the most complete, effective cleaning. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you, as you will see shortly. At TACH Cleaning, we have no "add-ons" when it comes to the cleaning process. ALL of our clients get exactly the same level of cleaning: The BEST that we can possibly provide.
Why would ANYONE give you less?
RIP-OFF #2: THE BAIT AND SWITCH. So-called "Dual process" carpet cleaning is the process of shampooing or proper pre-conditioning, followed by Hot Water Extraction or bonnet pad cleaning. Sadly, unethical cleaning companies often use this in their bait-and-switch sales techniques. First, they bait you with an unbelievably low priced, "one-step" process (See RIP-OFF #1, above) to get you to call. Then, once they're in your home, they tell you your carpet is too dirty and should only be cleaned using their higher-priced "Dual process". If you try to hold them to their advertised low price -- their "basic cleaning" process -- you'll more than likely receive very poor workmanship using little or no chemical, or the wrong type of chemical, no pre-conditioning or pre-spotting, precious little agitation and no guarantees. You may end up getting only an incomplete and very inadequate "spray-n-suck". This leaves most of the deep-down soiling and a lot of moisture in your carpet. IF a chemical is used, it's a good possibility a lot of it will be left in your carpet, too. Since such companies work on volume, which is a function of time, you're worth precious little time to them, so don't expect much of their service -- or, much value.
RIP-OFF #3: UNSUPPORTED CLAIMS. "THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN YOUR HOME", ETC.
You'll see this in many ads. There is no ONE BEST METHOD for ALL CARPETS.
Just remember: The method that's best for you is the method that meets all of your cleaning goals.
Some folks NEED fast drying. MOST folks want the best and most complete cleaning they can get.
Before you select your cleaner, you must identify your objectives. Only then should you select the method that best meets your objectives. We only promise the cleanest carpet you can have.
CONSIDER THIS: Most carpet manufacturers require Hot Water Extraction cleaning every 18-24 months (READ YOUR WARRANTY - I don't make this stuff up!), or your home carpet warranty becomes void. We can only conclude this is because carpets cleaned in this way tend to cost them less in warranty claims than other cleaning methods. Such methods used to be acceptable, but are now only called "interim" or "maintenance" cleaning. Hot Water Extraction ("steam" cleaning) is now the only recognized "restorative cleaning" method allowed by most manufacturers. Be sure to read on for why this is so.
What this means is, even though you may prefer to use other types of cleaning for your carpets, the manufacturers themselves are telling you that the method WE use is what they feel will do the best job of preserving your carpet. You still need to have it extracted by our method regardless.
RIP-OFF #4: OUTDATED BELIEFS. "HOT WATER DAMAGES YOUR CARPETS". Years back, people came to believe this because of damage caused by "technicians" who didn't know what they were doing. To some extent, you will find instances of this today -- again due to a lack of knowledge and training. Among the estimated 25% of technicians out there who ARE properly trained, tested and certified, it is practically non-existent. Washing and rinsing your carpet with hot water thoroughly cleans your carpet when done properly -- just as showering with the proper chemical (bath soap), then thoroughly rinsing off the dirt and soap will result in someone who is much cleaner than one who doesn't. Sometimes, though, a sponge bath is the method of choice when bathing. The best method for you depends upon individual circumstances, and what YOU need at that point, provided you still comply with manufacturer's requirements.
Each company will naturally be biased toward it's own method of cleaning, with each having advantages and disadvantages given the circumstances. This said, see what carpet makers themselves say:
Shaw Industries, the largest carpet manufacturer in the world, recommends ONLY hot water extraction cleaning used by firms that are IICRC Certified.
If you file a claim with a carpet manufacturer, be prepared to back it up with paid receipts from a professional Hot Water Extraction cleaning company, or be prepared to have your claim denied.
How many of the cleaners you've used in the past have told you this? Those who haven't may not have your best interests in mind.
REMEMBER: If you shop by price alone, you will often find you get far less overall value for your money. Simply picking the lowest-priced product or service almost ensures this is true.
All Site Contents Copyright
©1997-2007,
Frank Nihei, TACH Cleaning Co.