From the Better Business Bureau

Don't get sucked in by deceptive air duct cleaners

[June 27, 2013]  PEORIA -- Local ads offering a low price on air duct cleaning can seem like a great deal with minimal risk. While most companies are on the straight and narrow, the Better Business Bureau warns consumers to beware of air duct cleaning businesses that employ bait-and-switch tactics, use unqualified technicians or try to scare the homeowner into thinking they have a serious, health-threatening mold problem.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a careless or inadequately trained service provider can damage your ducts or heating and cooling system, possibly increasing your heating and air conditioning costs or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or replacements.

"Most of us aren't experts when it comes to maintaining the mechanical components of our house, and we have to rely on the opinion of the technician," said Bonnie Bakin, president and CEO of the BBB that serves central Illinois. "Unfortunately, some companies are taking advantage of that trust by misleading customers and doing substandard work, if any."

Customers are baited with low advertised prices, generally through mass mail or local newspapers, for duct cleaning services. These ads typically offer a whole-house cleaning package for a very low price, but once service providers arrive at the home, the consumer is quoted a much higher price.

When looking for a professional to clean out air ducts, the BBB advises consumers to:

• Check the company out with the BBB. Before scheduling a visit, check the company out with your Better Business Bureau first. Pay close attention to the name of the business you're researching because unscrupulous outfits often choose a name that is similar to an existing business that has a solid reputation. To check out a report on a company's reliability or to locate a BBB-accredited duct cleaner, visit www.heartofillinois.bbb.org or call 309-688-5124.

• Look for the fine print. Ads and contracts may contain fine print that the business might think will absolve them from honoring their advertised price. Always ask plenty of questions and get to the bottom line of what it's going to cost you -- before they come out and before you sign on the dotted line.

• Get a second opinion. If the duct cleaner discovers that you have a mold problem, get a second opinion. Mold remediation can cost thousands of dollars, so you'll want expert advice on how to take care of it.

• File a complaint with the BBB. If you believe you've been misled by a business, file a complaint with your BBB online. Even if the BBB isn't able to resolve the issue for you, the complaint can serve as a warning to other consumers about the business.

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For 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2012, consumers turned to BBB more than 100 million times for reviews on more than 4 million companies and reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at www.bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 114 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation.

[Text from file received from the Better Business Bureau of Central Illinois]