Beware of Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaners!

You know the type – they “bait” you with a low price, then “switch” you to their “dual scrub” or “deep clean” system. They proceed to soak your carpet and leave a soapy residue behind. Good luck getting them back again!

“This is Bubba. The world’s most notorious carpet cleaner!”

Beware of low priced carpet cleaning. If their price is truly low, you should be concerned about their quality. How can you pay technicians a decent wage and have the best products and equipment at the lowest price? You can’t.

Some companies advertise a low price, then charge you more when they get there. Be clear about what is included and what is not. In this ad, the fine print says “we recommend our dual scrub method for all heavily soiled carpet”. How many carpets are heavily soiled? All of them! Even if you held them to the “34.95”, you would get a very poor cleaning.

Here are some questions to ask every carpet cleaner about their cleaning…

1. What method do you use? more information on carpet cleaning methods.

2. Do you vacuum the carpet?

3. Do you pre-spot urine and other spots?

4. Do you pre-spray the carpet?

5. Do you pre-groom the carpet?

6. Do you neutralize the carpet?

7. Do you post-groom the carpet?

8. Do you use air movers to speed dry the carpet?

9. Is all spot cleaning included in the price?

10. Is pet odor treatment included in the price?

11. Do you give a free bottle of spot remover?

12. Do you give a free pair of booties?

Questions to ask about their company…

1. Do you have recent references?

2. How long have you been in business?

3. Are you certified by the IICRC?

4. Do you offer a 100% money back guarantee?

5. Do you have an on-time guarantee?

6. Do you use sub-contractors or employees?

7. Do you do background checks on your sub-contractors or employees?

8. Do you have liability insurance?

9. Do you have a re-soiling guarantee?  

A low priced carpet cleaning company simply cannot provide the most advanced, guaranteed cleaning technology at a low, low price. Something has to be cut from the picture. The Specialists obviously offer all of these benefits and more.