Yesterday morning we had the vents to our forced air heating and cooling system cleaned and the process was a nightmare. Why? We chose a company based on a coupon we received in the mail, and they had a hidden agenda. We get coupons all the time but I chose this company because they gave a "15% senior citizen discount." All the coupons charged about $65 for the service which included "free" dryer vent cleaning.
So why was it a scam? Well, the minute the two men started the job, one got busy working while the other, Leo, said their "service" included a free inspection of our furnace. Hmmm... first red flag.
After the inspection, Leo began a high pressure sales pitch trying to sell equipment and services ranging from $850 to $150. Leo began by telling us our furnace needed cleaning and the air in our house was 70% more polluted than the outside air.
First of all, a few months back PGE came out and inspected our furnace and said all was OK. We said no to the $150 furnace cleaning. Then Leo wanted to sell us a UV Cleanser... $850 but we would get a special price of "only $499." Again, we said NO. I told him I don't spend that kind of money without researching it first.
Then Leo insulted me by asking, "Are you Jewish?" I responded, "Are you suggesting that I do not want to spend money because I'm Jewish? It's very insulting to make remarks like that about any group of people, and it's none of your business..." I would not be ashamed to be Jewish but I was angry because it projected a pejorative attitude. When Leo saw how angry I was, he said, "Oh, I'm Jewish" and he walked away.
Next, Leo tried to sell us a washable filter for $150. We already use high quality disposable filters (~$20 each) and it had recently been replaced, so we said no. Leo then said he (Leo) could not believe my dh would not spend money to have clean air in the house, especially since I have allergies (something my husband shared when Leo asked why we were having the vents professionally cleaned).
Then we found out the service did not include cleaning the cold air return vent... that was $35 more. I said OK on that only because they had the grill off and hanging and it's located in a place that is too high for our only ladder to reach. Since moving to this condo, we've given away most of our tools and equipment.
Next, Leo told my husband we had holes in the vent off the heater and poked his finger through one to show him. But wait, for $200 he would duct tape it. By now my husband was fed up and told Leo to just go. So we ended up paying $65 + $35 minus 15% discount. My dh later patched the vent holes... he said he couldn't prove it but thought Leo purposely made the holes.
I had planned to pay by CC to get points but ended up paying cash because the invoice required me to put my CC number and CVC code. Leo was such a hustler that there is no way I would let him have this information. I later called the company and told them I would be filing a complaint with the BBB and explained why. They offered to return 50% of the cost.
So the lesson learned from all of this is that next time I decide to have our vents cleaned, I will ask some questions before booking the appointment:
~ Will you try to sell me other services or equipment?
~ Does the service include cleaning ALL the vents, including the cold air return?
~ Is the technician named Leo? :-
Vent Cleaning Scam
June 19th, 2010 at 03:43 pm
June 19th, 2010 at 04:19 pm 1276964367
My co worker was just telling us she was quoted in the thousands to get her vents cleaned.
June 19th, 2010 at 04:48 pm 1276966135
June 19th, 2010 at 05:18 pm 1276967934
Joan - the invoice is from a company called Elite Aircare in Lafayette, CA.
June 19th, 2010 at 05:36 pm 1276968994
June 19th, 2010 at 07:11 pm 1276974681
June 19th, 2010 at 08:33 pm 1276979610
June 19th, 2010 at 08:38 pm 1276979926
July 2nd, 2010 at 04:20 pm 1278087626
December 31st, 2010 at 11:50 pm 1293839438
August 22nd, 2011 at 06:26 pm 1314037587