Business Referrals and Warnings

[MCXU]

Not sure how the mods feel about this idea, but maybe we could have a thread in which we can help our fellow X fans find good and bad businesses in the area.

The reason I bring this up is because I just had a terrible experience with a company (possible scam) and I would like to warn others.

I hesitate to do this because I don't want to possible slander a company that someone here may work for. I do realize the BBB does this already, so let me know what you think.

If the mods are OK with this I will gladly disclose the info of the company. I feel strongly that I narrowly avoided a scam and the coupon I received for the service looked extremely legit and many of you may receive this in the paper.

[LadyMuskie]

Another board I'm on had a poster who bashed a daycare her children attended. She said things like the daycare hired a bunch of lazy, drugged up people to watch the children, and that the daycare was completely negligent and should be put out of business. The daycare sued the poster and she wound up posting a retraction. Now, the rules on that board are that you can post something like "I used XYZ Company and they did not show up on time and left before finishing the job" (in other words, just the facts), but you can't state "XYZ Company is just a bunch of scam artists out to take your money and run. They're all a bunch of criminals" (in other words, opinions).

I, however, like knowing companies with which people have had issues. It doesn't necessarily mean the company is wrong for everyone, but I think it can help make a decision between one or more choices.

[MCXU]

Thats what I was worried about. Great advice. I have already contacted the BBB and they have a file on the company. This particular company has moved from MO, to MN, to IL and now they have set up shop in the tristate. They are currently being pursued in IL by the attorney general. They run their operation till the heat gets turned up and then they move to another state.

I really want to protect my fellow fans from this. Check the BBB before doing business with someone for the first time.

[GoMuskies]

There's nothing wrong with posting opinions of a company as long as you state it as such and not as accusations. And as long as you don't make up facts. If I think a company provided lousy service, I can say that without geting into the specifics of why I think thought the service was lousy. I don't have to have facts to back up my opinion that GoldStar chili sucks, for example. I might be in trouble if I claimed that GoldStar chili poisoned my chili and made me sick, though.

[MCXU]

This statement is probably safe then:

IF YOU ORDER CARPET CLEANING OR AIR DUCT CLEANING, PLEASE CHECK THE BBB FIRST.

Again, what I found out might have saved me thousands of dollars. I'm just glad I was home when the guy showed up. I kicked him out once the "scam portion of the service started." My wife told me that she would have never known what was going on had I not been there.

[gladdenguy]

MCXU,
It is funny you posted about a Carpet CleaningCompany. I was going to ask posters if anybody knew of a solid carpet cleaning business I could use. We need our carpets cleaned real bad.

[xu95]

I would recommend Widmers for carpet cleaning.

xu95

[X-band '01]

MCXU,
It is funny you posted about a Carpet CleaningCompany. I was going to ask posters if anybody knew of a solid carpet cleaning business I could use. We need our carpets cleaned real bad.

Are you talking about wall-to-wall carpeting or actual rugs? If it's carpeting, you can probably just rent a Rug Doctor machine at Kroger or Meijer and also get shampoo for the machine. It may be a better alternative than hiring an outside company to come in.

If you're talking about rugs, that's another story. There are a couple of stores in town that offer cleaning - you'll even get to meet an esteemed XavierHoops employee at one establishment. Send me a PM if you want some further details.

[Jumpy]

MCXU,
It is funny you posted about a Carpet CleaningCompany. I was going to ask posters if anybody knew of a solid carpet cleaning business I could use. We need our carpets cleaned real bad.

I recommend buying your own carpet cleaner. It will be the best $200 you will spend. My carpet cleaner has paid for itself tenfold when I consider how many times I've used it vs. what it would have cost me to bring someone in to do it.

[gladdenguy]

I recommend buying your own carpet cleaner. It will be the best $200 you will spend. My carpet cleaner has paid for itself tenfold when I consider how many times I've used it vs. what it would have cost me to bring someone in to do it.

Very interesting....thanks guys....Jumpy where did you get yours?

[MHettel]

I'm heading over to the BBB site to get the lastest recruit rankings, and see if they have any 2012 dance field projections.

BASKETBALL!

[Jumpy]

Very interesting....thanks guys....Jumpy where did you get yours?

Sears, I think. It was a Bissell that we bought for something like $190 about 5 years ago. that thing is a champ.

[Snipe]

I rent the Green Machine from Lowes when I need carpet cleaned for apartment turnovers. If you hire carpet cleaners they are in and out quick and don't give the carpet the attention it needs. Sometimes you can tip them though to work harder.

I have looked into buying a steam cleaner but they are small and you have to change the little collectors all the time. If you buy a big industrial type like they rent they are really expensive too. I like the big machines better and I have had some good success with them.

If you have to call a service though I would call Barry Minkow at ZZZZ Best (http://www.ethicssage.com/2011/04/barry-minkow-a-portrait-of-a-fraudster.html) carpet cleaning.

[GoMuskies]

Barry just got put in jail again. Apparently life on the legit side just didn't do it for him. Now I see that's what your link says as well. Made for some entertaining learning back in my Auditing class.

[xeus]

I was going to ask posters if anybody knew of a solid carpet cleaning business I could use. We need our carpets cleaned real bad.

Is that because you've been crapping all over them worrying about Tu coming back??

[gladdenguy]

Is that because you've been crapping all over them worrying about Tu coming back??

That, pissin, spillin dip spit, and bleeding (just was in the hospital for a blood clot) until Tu decided to come back. I have some messy carpets and my wife is not happy.

[bobbiemcgee]

http://www.angieslist.com/companylist/cincinnati/

[boozehound]

Is that because you've been crapping all over them worrying about Tu coming back??

That and the 52 dicks.

[Kahns Krazy]

That, pissin, spillin dip spit, and bleeding (just was in the hospital for a blood clot) until Tu decided to come back. I have some messy carpets and my wife is not happy.

I think if you use " wife, messy and carpet" all in one line, you should be prepared for quite a variety of responses.

Dateline did a duct cleaning expose. Basically, duct cleaning is almost never necessary.

[xu drew]

MCXU - are you willing to divulge the name of this company? I had somebody come to my door a couple weeks ago and try to pitch carpet cleaning. She seemed good at what she did, but something didn't seem right about it, so I didn't proceed further with them, though I did consider it.

I'd be curious to know if it really was a scam.

[xeus]

That, pissin, spillin dip spit, and bleeding (just was in the hospital for a blood clot) until Tu decided to come back. I have some messy carpets and my wife is not happy.

Wait, I thought guy's night was not until this coming weekend. Did I miss it?

[MCXU]

MCXU - are you willing to divulge the name of this company? I had somebody come to my door a couple weeks ago and try to pitch carpet cleaning. She seemed good at what she did, but something didn't seem right about it, so I didn't proceed further with them, though I did consider it.

I'd be curious to know if it really was a scam.

Sent you a message with the name.

[xeus]

For services like this, I tend to look for the ones that are sponsored by someone like Gary Sullivan. There are plenty of fly-by-night companies who do sealcoating, air duct cleaning, carpet cleaning, basement waterproofing, etc. When in doubt, I have tended to prefer a) a personal recommendation from someone who had a similar service performed, or b) a spokesperson I know who recommends the company.

If you get the val-pak, Reach magazine, or other similar advertising vehicle, use that as your yellow pages and go from there.

Also, for what it's worth, I think Kahns Krazy is generally a dependable critic of products and services, particularly Cincinnati-specific stuff. So you can always ask him ...

[Muskiefornia]

The BBB is a scam in and of itself. Do not trust it. There was a great 20/20 expose on it recently.