Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Monday, December 5, 2011
MasterBlend El Diablo is Ready to Retire” after only 1250 Hours
Is 1250 hours on a MasterBlend truckmount “Barely Broken In” or “Ready to Retire”. According to a 1250 hour product recview on www.worldofclean.com http://www.worldofclean.com/forums/carpet-upholstery-cleaning-forum/4239-masterblend-el-diablo-review-after-1250-hrs.html MasterBlend El Diablo Review after 1250 hrs the MasterBlend Eldiablo is Ready to Retire”..
The reviewer Larry has retired his MasterBlend El Diablo as his main unit after only 1250 hours. To add insult to injury he replaced it with a Prochem Everest 650HP.
Issues included a rusting heater coil, excessive oil usage aftet only 500 hours, knocking sounds in the blower, a leaky pump, and 4 thermostats, and trouble starting the truckmount in warm weather. Even at the discounted prices I see on the internet a MasterBlend El Diablo costs about $13 per hour just for acquisition cost. In a day when truckmount operators expect years of reliable use I will let you decide if that is a good buy.
The reviewer Larry has retired his MasterBlend El Diablo as his main unit after only 1250 hours. To add insult to injury he replaced it with a Prochem Everest 650HP.
Issues included a rusting heater coil, excessive oil usage aftet only 500 hours, knocking sounds in the blower, a leaky pump, and 4 thermostats, and trouble starting the truckmount in warm weather. Even at the discounted prices I see on the internet a MasterBlend El Diablo costs about $13 per hour just for acquisition cost. In a day when truckmount operators expect years of reliable use I will let you decide if that is a good buy.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Master’s Carpet Care Austin Texas receives F Rating
It is a shame to see Master’s Carpet Care of Austin make such a mess of things:
Local carpet cleaner does a messy job, leaves consumers out of luck
Master’s Carpet Care’s spotted record shows why consumers should research beforehand
AUSTIN, Texas - Nov. 30, 2011 — After almost a year, the frayed edges of carpet in Merrie Tomlinson’s house no longer fray her nerves. They do, however, serve as a reminder to research who she’s dealing with when looking for services, courtesy of Master’s Carpet Care.
“I learned my lesson,” she said. “I just wouldn’t recommend them to anybody, and that’s where I left it.”
Tomlinson hired the Austin company to stretch her carpet, and she said workers did not measure correctly and cut the edges too short. Then, she said, the man who performed the work asked for much more than the price the company had quoted over the phone.
Better Business Bureau recommends consumers avoid Master’s Carpet Care. The company earned an F-rating with BBB for failing to respond to consumer complaints, provide accurate contact information or cooperate with BBB on advertising issues.
Master’s Carpet Care displays the BBB logo on its website and advertising despite not having authorization to use the BBB trademark. The company is not accredited.
Most of the six consumer complaints allege the company did subpar work and was difficult to contact about their dissatisfaction.
Tomlinson said she should have given up on the company after representatives missed two appointments. She said each time, she and her husband, both in their 70s, moved much of the furniture in the house to allow for the work to be performed. Both times, the company made excuses and scheduled another appointment.
She said she was willing to continue working with Master’s because the company had quoted a good price and she had seen the BBB logo on its Yellow Pages advertisement.
When workers finally showed up, it was hours after the scheduled time, and the charge was much higher than she was quoted. After failed attempts to resolve her dispute with the company, she filed a complaint with BBB.
The company responded to Tomlinson’s complaint by denying she had ever been a customer. The response called her a “liar and a thief,” which was the most it offered to any of the customers who complained to BBB. Hers was the only complaint Master’s responded to.
Jeanne Glorioso, another dissatisfied customer, said Master’s employees generally treated her well, but consistently lied to her. She was trying to get a $40 refund because the company overcharged her for its service.
”They were nice, but they never did anything,” she said.
The company advertises a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, but never clarified the terms of that guarantee, despite a request from BBB.
She said several times, employees promised her a refund check that she never received. She tried to mail a certified letter to the address on the company’s website, but the letter came back undeliverable.
BBB investigators encountered a similar problem when attempting to contact the company about its pattern of complaints, advertised claims and misuse of the BBB trademark. The address listed on the company’s website is an apartment complex in Austin and needs a unit number, which Master’s does not provide.
After months of trying to contact the company, BBB finally reached a representative by phone in September. The man who answered said the owner on file, Randy Thompson, no longer worked there and that Chris Pruett had purchased the company. He gave a new address and expressed a desire to work with BBB to repair the company’s reputation.
However, mail sent to the new address also came back as undeliverable and calls from BBB for more information went unanswered. BBB never received verification of the new ownership.
Glorioso got a different answer about the company’s ownership around the same time. She said Thompson told her over the phone that his brother David owned the company.
The pattern of complaints and BBB investigators’ experience dealing with Master’s Carpet Care shows a lack of transparency, poor customer service and subpar work.
Glorioso said she will be more diligent next time she hires any company.
“My advice is to check the Better Business Bureau website before you hire anybody,” she said. “Don’t take for granted what (companies) put on their website.”
To help consumers find the right carpet cleaner for their home, BBB offers the following tips:
Get the specifics on service. Find out what the company considers "extras." Moving furniture, pre-treating spots and cleaning heavily soiled areas may cost an extra fee. Ask about a company’s satisfaction guarantee and get the terms of that guarantee in writing.
The lowest price may not always be the best price. Affordability is important, but extremely low prices should also set off warning signals. Once the workers arrive in your home, they may suggest a more expensive treatment for the cleaning. Ask exactly what is included in the price and be sure to get it in writing before the crew begins any work.
Ask about the employees. Find out if the company uses its own employees or sub-contracts the job out to other companies. Ask if the company is bonded and insured. Get the name of a supervisor or company representative to contact if the crew damages the carpet or other items in your home.
Start with trust. Visit www.bbb.org to research the company before agreeing to its services.
To check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit bbb.org.
About Better Business Bureau:
BBB's mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. BBB accomplishes this mission by creating a community of trustworthy businesses, setting standards for marketplace trust, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebrating marketplace role models and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.
Local Carpet Cleaner Does a Messy Job, Leaves Consumers Out of Luck
11/30/2011Local carpet cleaner does a messy job, leaves consumers out of luck
Master’s Carpet Care’s spotted record shows why consumers should research beforehand
AUSTIN, Texas - Nov. 30, 2011 — After almost a year, the frayed edges of carpet in Merrie Tomlinson’s house no longer fray her nerves. They do, however, serve as a reminder to research who she’s dealing with when looking for services, courtesy of Master’s Carpet Care.
“I learned my lesson,” she said. “I just wouldn’t recommend them to anybody, and that’s where I left it.”
Tomlinson hired the Austin company to stretch her carpet, and she said workers did not measure correctly and cut the edges too short. Then, she said, the man who performed the work asked for much more than the price the company had quoted over the phone.
Better Business Bureau recommends consumers avoid Master’s Carpet Care. The company earned an F-rating with BBB for failing to respond to consumer complaints, provide accurate contact information or cooperate with BBB on advertising issues.
Master’s Carpet Care displays the BBB logo on its website and advertising despite not having authorization to use the BBB trademark. The company is not accredited.
Most of the six consumer complaints allege the company did subpar work and was difficult to contact about their dissatisfaction.
Tomlinson said she should have given up on the company after representatives missed two appointments. She said each time, she and her husband, both in their 70s, moved much of the furniture in the house to allow for the work to be performed. Both times, the company made excuses and scheduled another appointment.
She said she was willing to continue working with Master’s because the company had quoted a good price and she had seen the BBB logo on its Yellow Pages advertisement.
When workers finally showed up, it was hours after the scheduled time, and the charge was much higher than she was quoted. After failed attempts to resolve her dispute with the company, she filed a complaint with BBB.
The company responded to Tomlinson’s complaint by denying she had ever been a customer. The response called her a “liar and a thief,” which was the most it offered to any of the customers who complained to BBB. Hers was the only complaint Master’s responded to.
Jeanne Glorioso, another dissatisfied customer, said Master’s employees generally treated her well, but consistently lied to her. She was trying to get a $40 refund because the company overcharged her for its service.
”They were nice, but they never did anything,” she said.
The company advertises a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, but never clarified the terms of that guarantee, despite a request from BBB.
She said several times, employees promised her a refund check that she never received. She tried to mail a certified letter to the address on the company’s website, but the letter came back undeliverable.
BBB investigators encountered a similar problem when attempting to contact the company about its pattern of complaints, advertised claims and misuse of the BBB trademark. The address listed on the company’s website is an apartment complex in Austin and needs a unit number, which Master’s does not provide.
After months of trying to contact the company, BBB finally reached a representative by phone in September. The man who answered said the owner on file, Randy Thompson, no longer worked there and that Chris Pruett had purchased the company. He gave a new address and expressed a desire to work with BBB to repair the company’s reputation.
However, mail sent to the new address also came back as undeliverable and calls from BBB for more information went unanswered. BBB never received verification of the new ownership.
Glorioso got a different answer about the company’s ownership around the same time. She said Thompson told her over the phone that his brother David owned the company.
The pattern of complaints and BBB investigators’ experience dealing with Master’s Carpet Care shows a lack of transparency, poor customer service and subpar work.
Glorioso said she will be more diligent next time she hires any company.
“My advice is to check the Better Business Bureau website before you hire anybody,” she said. “Don’t take for granted what (companies) put on their website.”
To help consumers find the right carpet cleaner for their home, BBB offers the following tips:
Get the specifics on service. Find out what the company considers "extras." Moving furniture, pre-treating spots and cleaning heavily soiled areas may cost an extra fee. Ask about a company’s satisfaction guarantee and get the terms of that guarantee in writing.
The lowest price may not always be the best price. Affordability is important, but extremely low prices should also set off warning signals. Once the workers arrive in your home, they may suggest a more expensive treatment for the cleaning. Ask exactly what is included in the price and be sure to get it in writing before the crew begins any work.
Ask about the employees. Find out if the company uses its own employees or sub-contracts the job out to other companies. Ask if the company is bonded and insured. Get the name of a supervisor or company representative to contact if the crew damages the carpet or other items in your home.
Start with trust. Visit www.bbb.org to research the company before agreeing to its services.
To check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit bbb.org.
About Better Business Bureau:
BBB's mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. BBB accomplishes this mission by creating a community of trustworthy businesses, setting standards for marketplace trust, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebrating marketplace role models and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.
Businesses that earn BBB Accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization's high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB is the preeminent resource to turn to for objective, unbiased information on businesses and charities.
Contact BBB serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin at (512) 445-4748.
Contact BBB serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin at (512) 445-4748.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Do it yourself carpet cleaning can be a risk
sellecting the rught carpet cleaner is more important than finding the lowest price. Here is some good advice from a carpet cleaner in England:
Carpet cleaning through experts guarantees cleaner and much more stunning carpets. Proper cleaning also prolongs the lives associated with carpets and Carpets.
Expert carpet cleaners additionally utilize more environment-friendly tools, tools and cleansing solutions. They also employ the best techniques available so that carpets and Carpets remain stunning as well as last longer.
An expert carpet cleaning services are available in the majority of locations. Referrals tend to be one's best choice in hiring the very best professional carpet cleaner Guildford. It's possible to request buddies, family members or even co-workers for recommendations. These people could be of great help simply because they experienced employed carpet cleaners formerly and they're within the greatest position to express if a carpet cleaner works well or not..."
http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/for-carpet-cleaning-you-need-to-call-the-professio/2011/nov/30/for-carpet-cleaning-you-need-to-call-the/
"For Carpet Cleaning you need to call the professionals
Carpet cleaning if carried out alone could be time intensive and very tiresome. If one doesn't have the necessary gear, cleansing tools, as well as cleansing solutions, the do-it-yourself carpet cleaning might not bring in the greatest results. Also, due to inexperience, a do-it-yourself carpet cleaning may even harm a person's very expensive carpet. Therefore, it is advisable to hire a expert carpeting solution to do the job.Carpet cleaning through experts guarantees cleaner and much more stunning carpets. Proper cleaning also prolongs the lives associated with carpets and Carpets.
Expert carpet cleaners additionally utilize more environment-friendly tools, tools and cleansing solutions. They also employ the best techniques available so that carpets and Carpets remain stunning as well as last longer.
An expert carpet cleaning services are available in the majority of locations. Referrals tend to be one's best choice in hiring the very best professional carpet cleaner Guildford. It's possible to request buddies, family members or even co-workers for recommendations. These people could be of great help simply because they experienced employed carpet cleaners formerly and they're within the greatest position to express if a carpet cleaner works well or not..."
http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/for-carpet-cleaning-you-need-to-call-the-professio/2011/nov/30/for-carpet-cleaning-you-need-to-call-the/
BBB Memphis Offers Advice on Carpet Cleaning
I spotted these tips in the Memphis Commercial Appeal. While the The Better Business Bureau is no more perfect than the companies they watch it is important to see what they say:
"The Better Business Bureau offers these tips for choosing a reputable carpet cleaning company:
Get references from your family, friends and neighbors.
Check out the company's record with the BBB. One of the companies cited above has had an F rating with us for years, yet people continue to use it and encounter problems.
Price does matter, but the lowest price is not always the best price. While no one wants to be overcharged, extremely low prices should set off warning signals. Ask exactly what is included in the price and be sure to get it in writing before the crew begins any work.
Find out what you get for your money. Just as pricing can differ from company to company so can the services included in the price and what the company considers "extras." What type of cleaning agent does the company use and exactly how does it work? Will the cleaning company move furniture and return it to its original location? Is there an extra charge for this service? What about pre-treating spots and heavily soiled areas? Are there extra charges for high traffic areas?
Ask who will actually be coming into your home. Does the company use its own employees or sub-contract the job to someone else? Are they bonded and insured? Who is responsible if the crew damages the carpet or other items in your home?
Find out what care is required after the cleaning. How long will it take to dry? What kind of ventilation is needed?
What if you're not happy with the cleaning? Is your satisfaction guaranteed? Don't rely on oral promises -- get the guarantee in writing.
Pay with a credit card if possible. You might have more recourse if something goes wrong than you would by writing a check or paying cash.
The BBB can provide a roster of accredited carpet cleaning companies.
-- Randy Hutchinson: rhutchinson@bbbmidsouth.org."
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/nov/26/better-business-carpet-cleaning-services----tips/
Special link to the Carpet Cleaners I TRUST.
"The Better Business Bureau offers these tips for choosing a reputable carpet cleaning company:
Get references from your family, friends and neighbors.
Check out the company's record with the BBB. One of the companies cited above has had an F rating with us for years, yet people continue to use it and encounter problems.
Price does matter, but the lowest price is not always the best price. While no one wants to be overcharged, extremely low prices should set off warning signals. Ask exactly what is included in the price and be sure to get it in writing before the crew begins any work.
Find out what you get for your money. Just as pricing can differ from company to company so can the services included in the price and what the company considers "extras." What type of cleaning agent does the company use and exactly how does it work? Will the cleaning company move furniture and return it to its original location? Is there an extra charge for this service? What about pre-treating spots and heavily soiled areas? Are there extra charges for high traffic areas?
Ask who will actually be coming into your home. Does the company use its own employees or sub-contract the job to someone else? Are they bonded and insured? Who is responsible if the crew damages the carpet or other items in your home?
Find out what care is required after the cleaning. How long will it take to dry? What kind of ventilation is needed?
What if you're not happy with the cleaning? Is your satisfaction guaranteed? Don't rely on oral promises -- get the guarantee in writing.
Pay with a credit card if possible. You might have more recourse if something goes wrong than you would by writing a check or paying cash.
The BBB can provide a roster of accredited carpet cleaning companies.
-- Randy Hutchinson: rhutchinson@bbbmidsouth.org."
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/nov/26/better-business-carpet-cleaning-services----tips/
Special link to the Carpet Cleaners I TRUST.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Coit Sells First Ca Franchise in 25 years
Cleaning Company COIT Awards First California Franchise in 25 Years
Monday, November 21, 2011
Central California is home to a new business: national cleaning company COIT has awarded a franchise that covers the communities of Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara.
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) November 21, 2011
Central California is home to a new business: national cleaning company COIT has awarded a franchise that covers the communities of Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara. COIT is a leading supplier of specialty cleaning and disaster restoration services headquartered in San Francisco, and this is the first time in 25 years that the company has awarded a new California franchise.
"We are especially pleased about the opening of this franchise because franchise opportunities rarely become available in our home state," Bob Kearn, President and CEO of COIT, said. "In this case we were able to match the opportunity with COIT employees who wanted to run their own business, fulfilling one of our company's goals: to facilitate the business dreams of our employees nationwide. It's a win-win for everyone."
The territory covered by the new franchise is bookended by two universities: U.C. Santa Barbara and California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. It is a population-rich region that has been serviced by previous COIT franchises and that will now have access to the latest COIT products and developments in residential and business cleaning services. COIT Central Coast offers air duct cleaning, which is a popular service in the area, along with carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, drapery and upholstery services, and natural stone care.
The owners of the newest COIT franchise are Tracy Garcia and her husband, Cesar Garcia Mayta. Cesar, who gained extensive experience working for COIT Bay Area, holds a B.S. in Engineering from the Universidad Nacional in Lima, Peru. Tracy holds a degree in advertising from San Jose State University and worked in customer service and marketing at Virgin Airlines for the last five years. Cesar's brother, Carlos Garcia, also is a COIT employee who originally worked for the company in the Bay Area. Carlos has joined Cesar and Tracy in the new effort, and both families have relocated to Santa Barbara.
"It's great to have an opportunity from within the company to branch out and continue COIT's services in a different area," Tracy Garcia said. "COIT has been present in this area for more than 35 years, and we plan to continue our predecessors' good work." The franchise is offering a Grand Opening Special of 40% off all cleaning services through the month of November.
COIT Central Coast (www.coit.com/santa-maria-carpet-cleaning) can be reached at 805-922-1380. To reach the COIT location nearest your home or to receive a free estimate on home or business cleaning or emergency restoration services, call 1-800-367-2648. For online ordering, visit www.coit.com.
ABOUT COIT
With more than 60 years of industry experience in the U.S., Canada and Thailand, COIT is a leading supplier of carpet, upholstery and drapery cleaning services. The company also provides tile & grout cleaning, air duct cleaning, and 24-hour emergency restoration services. COIT's impeccable reputation offers customers the peace of mind that comes from knowing every job will be done right the first time. For information on franchise opportunities, call Pat Saign at (800) 243-8797 X108.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/11/21/prweb8981506.DTL#ixzz1eXIJC5p3
Monday, November 21, 2011
Central California is home to a new business: national cleaning company COIT has awarded a franchise that covers the communities of Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara.
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) November 21, 2011
Central California is home to a new business: national cleaning company COIT has awarded a franchise that covers the communities of Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara. COIT is a leading supplier of specialty cleaning and disaster restoration services headquartered in San Francisco, and this is the first time in 25 years that the company has awarded a new California franchise.
"We are especially pleased about the opening of this franchise because franchise opportunities rarely become available in our home state," Bob Kearn, President and CEO of COIT, said. "In this case we were able to match the opportunity with COIT employees who wanted to run their own business, fulfilling one of our company's goals: to facilitate the business dreams of our employees nationwide. It's a win-win for everyone."
The territory covered by the new franchise is bookended by two universities: U.C. Santa Barbara and California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. It is a population-rich region that has been serviced by previous COIT franchises and that will now have access to the latest COIT products and developments in residential and business cleaning services. COIT Central Coast offers air duct cleaning, which is a popular service in the area, along with carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, drapery and upholstery services, and natural stone care.
The owners of the newest COIT franchise are Tracy Garcia and her husband, Cesar Garcia Mayta. Cesar, who gained extensive experience working for COIT Bay Area, holds a B.S. in Engineering from the Universidad Nacional in Lima, Peru. Tracy holds a degree in advertising from San Jose State University and worked in customer service and marketing at Virgin Airlines for the last five years. Cesar's brother, Carlos Garcia, also is a COIT employee who originally worked for the company in the Bay Area. Carlos has joined Cesar and Tracy in the new effort, and both families have relocated to Santa Barbara.
"It's great to have an opportunity from within the company to branch out and continue COIT's services in a different area," Tracy Garcia said. "COIT has been present in this area for more than 35 years, and we plan to continue our predecessors' good work." The franchise is offering a Grand Opening Special of 40% off all cleaning services through the month of November.
COIT Central Coast (www.coit.com/santa-maria-carpet-cleaning) can be reached at 805-922-1380. To reach the COIT location nearest your home or to receive a free estimate on home or business cleaning or emergency restoration services, call 1-800-367-2648. For online ordering, visit www.coit.com.
ABOUT COIT
With more than 60 years of industry experience in the U.S., Canada and Thailand, COIT is a leading supplier of carpet, upholstery and drapery cleaning services. The company also provides tile & grout cleaning, air duct cleaning, and 24-hour emergency restoration services. COIT's impeccable reputation offers customers the peace of mind that comes from knowing every job will be done right the first time. For information on franchise opportunities, call Pat Saign at (800) 243-8797 X108.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/11/21/prweb8981506.DTL#ixzz1eXIJC5p3
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Carpet Cleaning in Tampa
Taking Action: Testing local carpet cleaners and oil change advertisements
By: Jackie Callaway By: Jackie Callaway
TAMPA -
North Tampa's Chris Yaeger agreed to let us use her home for our carpet cleaning test. She hired Horizon Cleaning Services to clean 4 rooms using their coupon for $6.95 a room.
A 3 bedroom Brandon home served as part two of our carpet cleaning project.
We wired rooms in both homes with undercover cameras. In Brandon we made an appt with Pro Carpet and asked for their $59.95 three-room special. The floors came out visibly cleaner and we paid the quoted price plus a $3 trip charge disclosed in the ad.
But be warned -- carpet cleaning can turn into an all-day affair. Pro Carpet actually showed up at 4pm well past their quoted arrival window of noon to three.
Horizon's technician showed up at Yaeger’s house 45 minutes past the stated arrival time but Chris says that wasn't the worst part.
We listened from another room and heard the technician suggest 5 times that Yaeger upgrade to the deep scrub method which would have hiked her $30 job to $125.
During the sales pitch, the technician demonstrated the deep scrub method in all 4 bedrooms leaving an uneven spot in every room. Yaeger says she could tell no difference in how the carpets looked before and after the cleaning
I left two messages for the owner of Horizon Cleaning Services before paying the business a visit. Bart Janssen declined to answer our questions on camera but he did respond in writing.
In an email he stated, "It is not common practice to continue to ask the customer to upgrade their services. The deep scrub demonstration ... helps to determine if there are any unforeseen conditions that may be buried in the carpet or hidden by dirt ... Perhaps the customer did not see a difference in the carpet before and after because she needed more than just the basic steam cleaning."
There's so much more to a good deal than the price. If you want the service done correctly and in a timely fashion then take the time to find out what other people are saying about this company.
There are several places you can call including Hillsborough County Consumer Protection at 813-903-3430, Pinellas County Consumer Protection at 727-464-6200, The Better Business Bureau at bbb.org and Florida’s Department of Ag and Consumer Services at 800helpfla.com.
Read more:
http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/money/consumer/taking_action_for_you/taking-action-testing-local-carpet-cleaners-and-oil-change-advertisements
By: Jackie Callaway By: Jackie Callaway
TAMPA -
North Tampa's Chris Yaeger agreed to let us use her home for our carpet cleaning test. She hired Horizon Cleaning Services to clean 4 rooms using their coupon for $6.95 a room.
A 3 bedroom Brandon home served as part two of our carpet cleaning project.
We wired rooms in both homes with undercover cameras. In Brandon we made an appt with Pro Carpet and asked for their $59.95 three-room special. The floors came out visibly cleaner and we paid the quoted price plus a $3 trip charge disclosed in the ad.
But be warned -- carpet cleaning can turn into an all-day affair. Pro Carpet actually showed up at 4pm well past their quoted arrival window of noon to three.
Horizon's technician showed up at Yaeger’s house 45 minutes past the stated arrival time but Chris says that wasn't the worst part.
We listened from another room and heard the technician suggest 5 times that Yaeger upgrade to the deep scrub method which would have hiked her $30 job to $125.
During the sales pitch, the technician demonstrated the deep scrub method in all 4 bedrooms leaving an uneven spot in every room. Yaeger says she could tell no difference in how the carpets looked before and after the cleaning
I left two messages for the owner of Horizon Cleaning Services before paying the business a visit. Bart Janssen declined to answer our questions on camera but he did respond in writing.
In an email he stated, "It is not common practice to continue to ask the customer to upgrade their services. The deep scrub demonstration ... helps to determine if there are any unforeseen conditions that may be buried in the carpet or hidden by dirt ... Perhaps the customer did not see a difference in the carpet before and after because she needed more than just the basic steam cleaning."
There's so much more to a good deal than the price. If you want the service done correctly and in a timely fashion then take the time to find out what other people are saying about this company.
There are several places you can call including Hillsborough County Consumer Protection at 813-903-3430, Pinellas County Consumer Protection at 727-464-6200, The Better Business Bureau at bbb.org and Florida’s Department of Ag and Consumer Services at 800helpfla.com.
Read more:
http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/money/consumer/taking_action_for_you/taking-action-testing-local-carpet-cleaners-and-oil-change-advertisements
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