Don't Be Fooled By Super Low Priced Carpet Cleaning

The Bait and Switch in the Carpet Cleaning Industry: A Hidden Pitfall for Consumers

Many people turn to professional carpet cleaning services in order to maintain a cleaning and healthy home. After all, your carpets are the largest filter in your home and they endure daily wear and tear of foot traffic, spills, pet messes, and much more. A fresh, clean carpet not only enhances the appearance of your home but also promotes a healthier environment and better indoor air quality. 

Don't be mislead there are lots of very reputable carpet cleaning companies out there providing excellent service, there are also some uninformed, uneducated and downright unscrupulous ones in the industry too using deceptive practices, particularly the "bait and switch" method. Bottom line this an unethical tactic that entices consumers with a low price only to reveal hidden fees and upsells after they've committed to the service. 

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how the bait and switch works in the carpet cleaning industry, its impact on consumers, and what you can do to avoid falling victim to this common scam.

What is the Bait and Switch?

The term “bait and switch” refers to a very deceptive advertising tactic where a company entices their potential customers with a super low price (the “bait”) but then attempts to upsell them with additional charges, services, or conditions that weren’t initially advertised (the “switch”). Mostly this plays out in the form of a low introductory price for a cleaning service that sounds too good to pass up. As the saying goes if it seems to good to be true, chances are it is.

Most common scenarios:

• The Bait: You see a flyer, online ad, or social media post advertising an incredibly low price — say, $99 for cleaning the entire house's carpet.

• The Switch: After scheduling an appointment and then inviting the technician into your home to inspect your carpets, you're told that the price doesn’t include essential services like pre-treatment, stain removal, vacuuming, or deep cleaning for heavily soiled areas. And "heavily soiled areas" in these cases are typically not that soiled! Suddenly, the bill shoots up dramatically to 3, 4, or 5 times higher, with no clear explanation or warning upfront.

This tactic is extremely deceptive and exploits the trust of consumers, taking advantage of their need for professional carpet care, all while delivering far less than what was promised. On top of all of this you typically will not have an technician that is certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification). Instead, you will have someone that is either A; completely ok with deceiving people to earn a bigger pay check or B - a brand new person to the business that has no idea what they are doing when they are "cleaning" your carpets. This is a lose-lose situation for the consumer in every aspect!

How the Bait and Switch Works in Carpet Cleaning

The bait and switch strategy in carpet cleaning often follows a few distinct patterns:

1. Advertised Low Prices: Carpet cleaning companies advertise outrageously low prices, typically for a “basic” service. The pricing looks tempting because it promises to clean a whole house for a budget-friendly fee. To be frank, there is not a honest, professional, and ethical cleaner out there that could every successfully run a business charging these prices. 

2. Hidden Conditions: Once the customer schedules the service, the company may say that the advertised price only applies to small rooms or basic cleaning. In reality, this service may only cover one or two rooms, with a laundry list of exclusions that weren’t made clear during the booking. Companies that adhere to the standards set forth for cleaning by the IICRC will not have silly exclusions like charging more for pre-treatment or pre-vacuuming.

3. Pressure to Upgrade: When the technician arrives at your home, they might use high-pressure sales tactics to convince you that additional services — such as stain protection, deep cleaning, or deodorizing — are essential for your carpets’ long-term health. The prices for these add-ons can quickly add up, leaving you with an inflated final bill. That is not to discount the fact that carpet protector can and will increase your carpets resistance to permanent staining and will stay cleaner longer. However, an honest, professional, ethical cleaner will never pressure you into purchasing something that you do not want or need!

4. The Final Bill Shock: So when the technician arrives you would likely be basing your final price on the ad that you saw that got you to schedule the cleaning in the first place. Then when the job is finished....WHAMO your shocked to find that the actual cost is much higher than the advertised rate. The technician may cite additional factors like the carpet’s condition, square footage, or the inclusion of essential services that you didn’t originally agree to.

Why Is This Problematic for Consumers?

The bait and switch in the carpet cleaning industry isn't just an inconvenience; it can be a significant financial burden; and most importantly it is downright wrong! Here are a few reasons why this practice is harmful to consumers:

• Misleading Advertising: Potential customers are made false promises of a low-cost service that doesn’t match the reality of what really happens during the cleaning. This misleading information makes it difficult for consumers to make informed decisions and compare services fairly. Instead they end up booking the super low price because they have been conditioned to ask "how much" not "how can you help me...".

• Unexpected Costs: Customers who are on a tight budget or a fixed income may be blindsided by the final cost, which can be two, three, four, sometimes even five times higher than what they originally expected. This can lead to frustration, stress, and even a lack of trust in legitimate businesses. It is disheartening that this happens more than consumers realize.

• Loss of Trust: When consumers experience a bait and switch, they lose faith in the carpet cleaning industry as a whole. After all if they just got "taken" by Chuck In The Truck's Carpet Cleaning Service they are going to be very hesitant to believe that there are actually honest businesses out there that can truly help them and provide a service that gives value in exchange for a fair price. 

• Quality of Service: Often, the services provided after the switch aren’t necessarily better than what was originally advertised. Many times, these upsells are unnecessary, and the cleaning may not be significantly better than what was promised in the low-price ad. Do you know what one of the biggest unnecessary upsells is...deodorizer! Typically deodorizer is a topical application after cleaning of a (hopefully) a water-based product. Initially, there will be a pleasant smell in the are but it will dissipate quickly after cleaning leaving the customer feeling upset they spent more on something that did so little.

How to Avoid Falling for the Bait and Switch

As a savvy consumer, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself from falling victim to bait-and-switch tactics in the carpet cleaning industry.

1. Do Your Research: Before hiring a carpet cleaning company, take some time to read reviews, check their reputation and verify they are certified by the IICRC. Look for businesses with a track record of honest service and transparent pricing.

2. Ask About All Costs Upfront: When you contact a carpet cleaning company, ask for a detailed explanation of their pricing.  They should be willing to come out and give you a FREE written quote and make sure to inquire about any hidden fees, additional services, or conditions that could affect the price.

3. Check for Included Services: Be sure to clarify what’s included in the advertised price. Most cleaners that are operating their businesses in an professional manner will have a multistep cleaning process that includes all of the steps outline in the IICRC Carpet Cleaning Standard. You should not be paying extra for a cleaner to use pre-treatment or to vacuum your carpets before the cleaning begins. Keep in mind that some companies will offer package pricing with a good, better, and best packages and that is ok just make sure you know what is in each package before committing.

4. Get Multiple Estimates: To get a better understanding of the going rates in your area, contact several companies and compare quotes. This will help you identify unusually low prices that might signal a bait-and-switch scam.

5. Read the Fine Print: Always read the terms and conditions carefully before booking the service. Look for any disclaimers about extra charges, service limits, or exclusions.

6. Watch for High Pressure Upselling Tactics: If you are dealing with a professional company the representative that arrived to provide you with your FREE quote should be looking to inform you of any issues that they find that could impact your health, safety or the overall comfort of your home. However, if the technician arrives for the cleaning and starts applying high pressure for you to upgrade or add services you do not need to put up with that. 

7. Make Sure They Have A Guarantee: At the very least any professional cleaner should have a written guarantee that they can provide to you. In essence, there should be some form of a money-back guarantee if you are unhappy with the service. Make sure to ask about that before agreeing to the service.

Conclusion

While professional carpet cleaning is a great investment to ensure that you have the cleanest, healthiest, most comfortable home possible. It is incredibly important to remain vigilant against deceptive practices like the bait and switch. By doing your research, asking the right questions, and comparing services, you can ensure that you’re not caught off guard by unexpected fees or upselling tactics.

When hiring a carpet cleaning company, trustworthiness and transparency should be at the forefront of your decision-making process. Avoid falling for low-ball pricing that may ultimately leave you with an inflated bill and a sense of frustration. Your home deserves quality service, and you deserve honesty.