Beware of Bait and Switch Tactics Be aware of companies using "bait-n-switch" techniques! You’re ready to have your wall to wall carpeting professionally cleaned and want to get the best job for the best price, right? You may have received a coupon in a Val Pak or via direct mail, advertising $9.95 per room! That sounds like a great deal. Have you ever wondered how they can they afford to charge such a low price? As a reputable business owner, I can tell you with all certainty, THEY CAN’T! The cost of just getting to your home would make this a losing proposition for the ‘company’. Then there are cleaning agents, time to set up and break down, and the actual job labor—a firm charging $6 or $9 a room would soon go broke. How/why are they charging this price? The answer is simple—Bait & Switch! Here is a typical scenario: Once inside a home, the owner is informed that the advertised price is for ‘basic steam cleaning’--in other words, clear water. Without providing a lesson on the chemistry of carpet cleaning, even a light soiled carpet cannot be properly cleaned using only water. To properly clean a carpet, cleaning agents such as a pre-conditioner, spot cleaner, and rinsing agent are required. Oh, they have these products on their truck, but if they actually USE them to clean carpets, the $6 per room price quickly increases to $75. Then, there’s the high pressure add on sales (carpet protector, deodorizing) as well as a charge for moving any furniture. Add in the ‘nominal travel charge’ and the two rooms one thought would cost about $20 to clean now costs $300! And don’t forget to account for the less than marginal job performed by the inexperienced, poorly trained, and under paid technician. These companies hire right off the street and pay on a commission basis. Commission on what you ask? Commission on selling everything required to properly clean carpets! These companies are routinely reported to the BBB, often sued, and go out of business only to resurface under a new name. Save yourself the trouble! At All Bright Cleaning we pride ourselves on providing professional carpet cleaning services. There are no hidden charges. You will know exactly what we are going to do and exactly how much it will cost before we begin any work. Once we give you a price, that’s it. You pay that price and only that price. Don’t be taken in by bait and switch companies! Remember the old adage – if you think it’s too good to be true, it probably is! Here are some questions to ask every carpet cleaner before hiring them: 1. Are you IICRC certified? 2. Are you insured? 3. What cleaning method do you use? 4. Do you vacuum the carpet before cleaning? 5. Do you pre-spray the carpet? 6. Is all spot cleaning included in the price? 7. Do you post-groom the carpet? 8. Do you use air movers to speed dry the carpet?
