They show up on your doorstep, in your mail, and in the sales papers. They are coupons for a furnace cleaning, and the prices range from $40 to well over $100. But what makes one cleaning different from another? Why the huge difference in price? How do you pick just one? These are all common questions that may cross your mind when searching for a company to perform this vital service on your furnace. Unfortunately, many people make mistakes when scheduling these appointments that often lead to them getting ripped off by illegitimate companies. To prevent this from happening to you, this is a list of 5 mistakes that we commonly hear about at Four Seasons.
Mistake #1
Choosing a company based on the price that they advertise
Everyone is looking for a good price these days, and they often don’t take into consideration whether or not a service can actually be performed properly at such a low cost. Some of us may even jump to the conclusion that the company who is charging more is the one who is trying to scam you instead of the low priced company. That is the trick that the illegitimate companies want you to fall for.
When a company charges a “too good to be true” price, chances are the services they are offering are dishonest. They may not have the proper equipment to actually clean the furnace properly. This type of company could end up doing more damage than good to the furnace. They may not hire bonded and insured servicemen. This would leave you to foot the bill when a mistake is made during the service. And, they may be using the low price to get their foot in to door before they hike up the price with add-ons.
Not at Four Seasons. At Four Seasons, the price we offer gets you the best furnace cleaning possible. Our 20+ point precision tune-up is well worth the price that you will pay. We may not be the cheapest price you will find, but we do offer discounts off of our regular price that help make this service affordable for any family. Just because you are on a tight budget, doesn’t mean you have to settle for mediocre services.
Mistake #2
Choosing a company based on their furnace cleaning equipment
If you look around at the advertisements in the papers, you will see hundreds of companies that boast top of the line equipment. This may sound like a good thing, and it is if the person operating the equipment has the proper training. Many companies will send a serviceman in for a furnace cleaning or a duct cleaning with impressive equipment, but the man has no idea how to properly operate the tools he is given. This often results in damage to the heating system.
When scheduling your tune-up it is important to find a company with good equipment, but do not neglect to ask about their technician’s training. At Four Seasons, each and every one of our technicians is NATE certified and has had to prove their abilities to our masters of the HVAC field. They go through months or in-depth training and we are constantly updating our technicians on the newest technologies. In our in house training school, we are always addressing potential problems that our servicemen may face so that when they enter your home, they are prepared to deal with anything your furnace may throw at them.
Mistake #3
Neglecting to confirm the price before the technician arrives for the service
If you don’t ask, don’t expect them to tell you. Some companies will advertise one price, but once they arrive, add-ons and extra services are automatically attached to the price. This is often the tactic used by the illegitimately low priced companies. The price their coupon reads may only include the technicians cleaning, but not the travel time. You have to ask when you are scheduling exactly what is included in the price. Do not assume. Some companies may offer extras while they are at your home, and that doesn’t necessarily make them illegitimate. It is the companies that use hidden fees and pushy sales tactics that you have to watch out for.
At Four Seasons, the price quoted on the coupon is the only price that you are obligated to pay when you schedule a service with us. We don’t have any hidden fees, and when we offer an additional service, it is simply a recommendation of what we think is best for your furnace system.
Mistake #4
Forgetting to ask if the service comes with a guarantee
If the company you are about to hire doesn’t offer a clear and concise guarantee of their services, then the service they are offering is probably not worth your time or money. Again, you cannot assume. Some companies don’t guarantee their work because they don’t really know what they are doing, or they don’t trust their servicemen to do a thorough job. Other companies may offer a guarantee, but it may be full of loop holes and exceptions that prevent you from ever taking advantage of the guarantee when something goes wrong.
Not at Four Seasons. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee that is backed up by our no breakdown guarantee. That means that if you are not happy with the service, or if the furnace breaks down after you have the tune-up performed by a Four Seasons serviceman, we will return to your home for free! Mistakes are not a frequent occurrence at Four Seasons, but when they do happen, we take responsibility. We do not rest until you are completely satisfied with the services we perform.
Mistake #5
Scheduling a Tune-up without checking for the companies credentials and customer testimonials
When scheduling your service, always check for customer recommendations. Ask your family, friends, and neighbors if they have used the company before, or check the company’s website for customer testimonials. If you can’t find any references, stay away! The company could be what we like to refer to as a “fly by night” contractor. What that means is that they will perform an illegitimate service, take your money, and disappear into the night. When the furnace breaks down a week later, they are nowhere to be found.
Also, check with the city or the Better Business Bureau for the companies credentials. If they are accredited by the BBB and carry a high rating, you can rest assured that you are hiring a legitimate company for your furnace tune-up.
At Four Seasons, you will find hundreds of real customer testimonials and letters on our website. We also encourage you to ask around town because we are sure you will quickly find at least one person who has used out services before and was completely satisfied. Also, Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning carries a BBB accreditation with an A+ rating! That is the highest rating that they deliver, and it is a result of our commitment to top notch services and incredible customer service. After reviewing all of these common mistakes, we are sure that you will find that Four Seasons is the right company for you to choose for your annual furnace tune-up.
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Tags: BBB, Chicago, Consumer protection, Four Seasons, Furnace, guarantee, HVAC, IL, Riverdale, scam artists, Tune Up, yearly maintenace
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