Bait and Switch: How to Avoid Carpet Cleaning Shopping Nightmares

Many carpet cleaning companies advertise their services at a low price, but often charge hidden fees and costs unclear to the customer. This practice is known as "bait and switch" and is a form of fraud. It involves luring in customers with the promise of a low-cost service, only to reveal later that the cost has been significantly increased through hidden fees. By understanding this tactic, you can identify and avoid companies that use the bait-and-switch technique.

Bait and switch is a tactic where a company advertises a service for an exceptionally low price. Still, once they arrive at the location, they inform the customer that the cost does not include necessary chemicals or pre-treatments. These hidden costs can significantly increase the final bill. Another way carpet cleaning companies use bait and switch is by advertising a low price for cleaning multiple rooms, only to inform the customer upon arrival that larger rooms count as multiple rooms and closets are often extra.

These tactics are widespread in retail sales but are particularly prevalent in the carpet cleaning industry. When a bait and switch company employee enters a home, they may try to sell additional services or features to increase their commission. They can be pushy and demanding and may even use intimidation to pressure the customer.

Companies that use bait-and-switch tactics to scam their customers may also take shortcuts by diluting chemical solutions and compensating their employees based on the number of jobs they complete rather than paying them by the hour. The best approach to safeguard your home and save money is to steer clear of these companies entirely.

Here are some warning signs that a company may be using bait-and-switch tactics in its business practices:

- Unbelievably low prices: It's important to remember that if a price sounds too good to be true with cleaning services, it probably is.

- Aggressive salespeople: Technicians may try to convince you to add additional services or products to your cleaning job with hard sell tactics. This can be a sign of bait-and-switch practices.

- Quotes given by room, not square footage: Be cautious of deals that offer to clean several rooms for one low price. You may later discover that certain rooms or areas are not included in the advertised price, resulting in a higher bill.

- Commission-based pay for employees: If employees are paid commission, they may be incentivized to sell additional features or products to boost the final bill.

It is important to be cautious when hiring a cleaning company. To avoid scams, consider researching and selecting a reputable company. One way to achieve this is to read reviews on the company's website and ask about the materials they use. Additionally, ensure that the technicians are certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certificate and use appropriate cleaning chemicals per the Carpet and Rug Institute.

Be aware of red flags and take the time to research and choose a reputable cleaning company before hiring them. Bait and switch companies can be avoided by becoming informed about their operations. Reading reviews and asking questions about a company's practices can help prevent unwanted surprises.

Here are some questions you can ask the company to get a sense of their operations:

t the materials they use. Ensure the technicians are IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) certified and are using the right cleaning chemicals per the CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute).

To get a sense of how a company operates, here are some questions you should ask:

1. What technique do you use to clean carpets? (Almost all carpet manufacturers and producers recommend the hot water extraction method).

2. Are your technicians IICRC certified?

3. Do you pay your employees hourly or by the job?

4. Do you charge hidden travel or fuel surcharges?

5. Are there any hidden charges or costs that I need to know?

6. Do you charge extra for removing stains or high-traffic areas?

To ensure you're not being misled, consider hiring New Life Carpet Care for your carpet cleaning requirements. Each of our technicians has undergone extensive training and is IICRC certified. We use only the most reliable cleaning solutions and advanced equipment available. We guarantee hassle-free, soft, clean carpets without hidden costs or fees. Additionally, we offer pre-treatment and scrub your carpets with counter-rotating brushes before performing a final rinse using the high-quality hot water extraction cleaning method.