HOW TO AVOID FOUR CARPET CLEANING RIP-OFFS
RIP-OFF #1: UNBELIEVABLY LOW PRICE. To some degree, all of us are attracted by low price 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 $3.95 and $9.95 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 with hot water
extraction cleaning. Unfortunately, unethical carpet cleaners often use 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.
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RIP-OFF #4: OUTDATED BELIEFS.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.” Year ago, many people believed this was true because their carpets were
damaged by “technicians” who didn’t know how to properly clean using hot water. 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 soap will be much cleaner
than the person who takes only a sponge bath. Obviously, each carpet cleaner will be biased towards his own method. And each method does have
advantages. So I suggest you look to what carpet manufacturers say. Shaw Industries, the largest carpet manufacturer in the world, recommends only hot
water extraction cleaning with a truck-mounted unit used by firms that are IICRC Certified
RIP-OFF #1: UNBELIEVABLY LOW PRICE. To some degree, all of us are attracted by low price 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 $3.95 and $9.95 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 with hot water
extraction cleaning. Unfortunately, unethical carpet cleaners often use 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.
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.” Year ago, many people believed this was true because their carpets were
damaged by “technicians” who didn’t know how to properly clean using hot water. 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 soap will be much cleaner
than the person who takes only a sponge bath. Obviously, each carpet cleaner will be biased towards his own method. And each method does have
advantages. So I suggest you look to what carpet manufacturers say. Shaw Industries, the largest carpet manufacturer in the world, recommends only hot
water extraction cleaning with a truck-mounted unit used by firms that are IICRC Certified
8 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN CHOOSING A CARPET CLEANER
MISTAKE #1: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on equipment alone. No question, your carpet cleaner needs first-rate equipment. But he also needs
something else. He needs employees who are skilled at operating that equipment. Many companies own hot-water extractors, but very few companies
teach their employees how to use them properly.
MISTAKE #2: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on low price. Low price could be a problem in three ways: (1) low price can be the bait that attracts your
phone call. But once the cleaner gets into your home, he pressures you into a much more expensive job. (2) Low price can be for single-process cleaning.
Rarely does the consumer know what this means and, when told, ask s for dual-process cleaning instead, which costs much more. (3) Low price means the
carpet cleaner has cheap equipment, which will not effectively clean your carpet.
MISTAKE #3: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on a single telephone call. Instead, invite the person to your home and ask for a specific written
quotation. Then you’ll know exactly what the carpet cleaner recommends – and you won’t be the victim of high-pressure tactics when the technician steps
into your living room.
MISTAKE #4: Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee. In my view, every carpet cleaning company should be fully
accountable for its work. And if you aren’t pleased with the job in every way, you shouldn’t have to pay for it. Period. Not all carpet cleaners offer a
guarantee. Or, if they do, the guarantee may be “limited.” Ask the carpet cleaner if he offers a money-back guarantee and then make sure the carpet
cleaner includes his guarantee on his written quotation.
MISTAKE #5: Choosing a carpet cleaner without getting comments from his other clients.
Any carpet cleaner can say anything about his past jobs. And, sadly, some of what he says may not be true. Make sure you ask for references or read
comments from current customers so you can depend on the carpet cleaner and his work.
MISTAKE #7: Choosing a carpet cleaner who isn’t a member of the Ethical Services company. Ethical Services is an association of carpet cleaners who
are dedicated to:(1) honest, ethical business practices, (2) staying current on the latest methods for carpet and upholstery care, cleaning and restoration,
and (3) the highest possible level of customer service. You’re making a wise decision when you have your carpets cleaned by a member of ethical services.
MISTAKE #8: Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn’t use a truck-mounted hot water extraction system.
You might expect this from me, since my employees and I use this type of system. But there are several good reasons. Portable hot water systems are good,
but they aren’t as good as truck-mounted systems. Truck-mount systems are the Rolls Royce of carpet cleaners. Compared with portable hot water systems,
truck-mount systems use hotter water, higher pressure and stronger suction. So all the way around, you get a much better job. No two ways about it.
MISTAKE #1: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on equipment alone. No question, your carpet cleaner needs first-rate equipment. But he also needs
something else. He needs employees who are skilled at operating that equipment. Many companies own hot-water extractors, but very few companies
teach their employees how to use them properly.
MISTAKE #2: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on low price. Low price could be a problem in three ways: (1) low price can be the bait that attracts your
phone call. But once the cleaner gets into your home, he pressures you into a much more expensive job. (2) Low price can be for single-process cleaning.
Rarely does the consumer know what this means and, when told, ask s for dual-process cleaning instead, which costs much more. (3) Low price means the
carpet cleaner has cheap equipment, which will not effectively clean your carpet.
MISTAKE #3: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on a single telephone call. Instead, invite the person to your home and ask for a specific written
quotation. Then you’ll know exactly what the carpet cleaner recommends – and you won’t be the victim of high-pressure tactics when the technician steps
into your living room.
MISTAKE #4: Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee. In my view, every carpet cleaning company should be fully
accountable for its work. And if you aren’t pleased with the job in every way, you shouldn’t have to pay for it. Period. Not all carpet cleaners offer a
guarantee. Or, if they do, the guarantee may be “limited.” Ask the carpet cleaner if he offers a money-back guarantee and then make sure the carpet
cleaner includes his guarantee on his written quotation.
MISTAKE #5: Choosing a carpet cleaner without getting comments from his other clients.
Any carpet cleaner can say anything about his past jobs. And, sadly, some of what he says may not be true. Make sure you ask for references or read
comments from current customers so you can depend on the carpet cleaner and his work.
MISTAKE #7: Choosing a carpet cleaner who isn’t a member of the Ethical Services company. Ethical Services is an association of carpet cleaners who
are dedicated to:(1) honest, ethical business practices, (2) staying current on the latest methods for carpet and upholstery care, cleaning and restoration,
and (3) the highest possible level of customer service. You’re making a wise decision when you have your carpets cleaned by a member of ethical services.
MISTAKE #8: Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn’t use a truck-mounted hot water extraction system.
You might expect this from me, since my employees and I use this type of system. But there are several good reasons. Portable hot water systems are good,
but they aren’t as good as truck-mounted systems. Truck-mount systems are the Rolls Royce of carpet cleaners. Compared with portable hot water systems,
truck-mount systems use hotter water, higher pressure and stronger suction. So all the way around, you get a much better job. No two ways about it.
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