Carpet cleaning shams are abundant in our recessive economy and learning how to avoid carpet cleaning shams is best done by observing the adage of customer beware is the best rule to follow. The scam artists have taken to the carpet cleaning business because for one thing it is home based business for the most part. Secondly there is not a major investment in supplies and equipment leases are relatively easy to obtain. And lastly, and the most concerning, is the fact that cleaning your carpets gets the unprofessional into your home or into your business at an off time. This is a wonderful opportunity for the non-legitimate business person to take advantage of you without you even realizing what criminal element could be going on.
Typical Carpet Cleaning Scams
Some carpet cleaning scams are worse than others and in this economy buyer beware cannot be said often enough. A few of the typical scams are:
· Taking your money and not showing up for the work. Many carpet cleaning companies operate out of their homes. They will come by and get a check or cash for a deposit and never show up to do the work. This deposit usually is high and the unsuspecting owner will give it to them because they buy into the scam. Take the money and run is the game of many non-legitimate carpets cleaning companies.
· Upsell their worth by telling you that you need the more exclusive products and, of course, they cost more than the normal charge and you do not get anything extra.
· Casing your home or business to gain access at a later date. The thieves will want to burglarize your home or business and take your belongings with the ruse of cleaning your carpets. This is the most serious offense.
· Claiming to have a business license and insurance against any damage when in fact they have neither.
For a pleasant carpet cleaning experience
In order to learn to how to avoid carpet cleaning scams and have a pleasant carpet cleaning experience it is necessary to do a few things before the contract for the service is agreed upon. This business is developing a very large fraudulent group of companies and it serves you well to investigate to find the professional and legitimate cleaners prior to eve giving out any money.
In order to find the legitimate companies the first step is to talk to neighbors or other friends and see who they are using. If they can recommend a company and have had a positive experience the company is probably worth interviewing.
Interview the carpet cleaning company as though they were your employee because in effect you are. A reputable company will take their time to assure you that they can do the job.
A reputable company may ask for a deposit but it should only be a portion of the total.
Get everything in writing including the company to be used, which will be doing the work, the expected amount of time it will take. Also talk about the worst case scenario and what they are responsible for and what you are responsible for. Many companies will move the furniture for you some require that you move it; some will not move it at all.
Do not despair there are many reputable carpet cleaning companies and they take pride in their work. Get your project laid out in writing and check references and business licenses and documents. Make sure the company is insured. It is better if the company has been in business a while and can give you references. If you treat the carpet cleaning professional as an employee you will most likely have a good experience.
