And while we highly recommend yearly furnace maintenance to keep your heating system working all winter - there are a some companies that use furnace maintenance as a way to scam you.
How a furnace maintenance scam works
Usually it starts like this - you get a flyer in the mail or stuck to your door offering a furnace tune-up for unbelievable prices (anywhere from free to $29 or $39). But watch out, these offers are almost always bait-and-switch scams.
You see, it costs a heating company a certain amount of money to get someone to your door. They’re paying the furnace technician’s salary, the vehicle’s gas to get the technicain there and other overhead costs. By offering such a low price, they’re just trying to get in your home to sell you something.
Put another way, if you get a tune-up from one of these heating companies and your furnace is running just fine, they lose money. So these companies will almost always “find” a large repair that has to be done immediately. (And they spend very little, if any, time actually tuning up your furnace. They’re only looking for problems.)
You’re left with a large estimate and the encouragement to do the repair immediately or your furnace won’t work.
Signs of a furnace maintenance scam
Again, real furnace maintenance is invaluable. But these companies aren’t looking to keep your furnace running safely and efficiently, they’re trying to make a quick buck. To help you avoid unscrupulous companies like this, make sure you recognize the signs.
- Cheap or free price - Remember, furnace maintenance takes up the heating company’s time and resources. If they’re offering that for free (or too cheap to recoup their costs) there are likely ulterior motives.
- Unrecognizable company name - These companies eventually become found out, so they must change their names regularly. Although it isn’t always a bad thing, be wary of a new company or one you haven’t heard of.
- Bad reviews - Research the company online. Are people complaining about being taken in by this heating company? While every company has a few bad reviews, if the majority are bad you might want to look elsewhere.
- Preys on your fear - Companies that offer cheap furnace tune-up to get in your home, often prey on your fear by telling you need an expensive repair or completely new system because yours is “dangerous.”
How to avoid this furnace maintenance scam
Now that you know how the scam works, it should be easier for you to avoid being taken advantage of. To recap, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Consider more than just cost
- Remember that real furnace maintenance is extremely important
- Check the Better Business Bureau for complaints on the company
And lastly, make sure you hire a heating company you can trust. Get your annual furnace tune-up from McNutt Service Group.
McNutt Service Group has been faithfully serving the heating needs of the entire metro Western North Carolina & Tennessee since 1979.
Signs of a furnace maintenance scam
Again, real furnace maintenance is invaluable. But these companies aren’t looking to keep your furnace running safely and efficiently, they’re trying to make a quick buck. To help you avoid unscrupulous companies like this, make sure you recognize the signs.- Cheap or free price - Remember, furnace maintenance takes up the heating company’s time and resources. If they’re offering that for free (or too cheap to recoup their costs) there are likely ulterior motives.
- Unrecognizable company name - These companies eventually become found out, so they must change their names regularly. Although it isn’t always a bad thing, be wary of a new company or one you haven’t heard of.
- Bad reviews - Research the company online. Are people complaining about being taken in by this heating company? While every company has a few bad reviews, if the majority are bad you might want to look elsewhere.
- Preys on your fear - Companies that offer cheap furnace tune-up to get in your home, often prey on your fear by telling you need an expensive repair or completely new system because yours is “dangerous.”
How to avoid this furnace maintenance scam
Now that you know how the scam works, it should be easier for you to avoid being taken advantage of. To recap, here are a few things to keep in mind:- Consider more than just cost
- Remember that real furnace maintenance is extremely important
- Check the Better Business Bureau for complaints on the company
Coolray has been faithfully serving the heating needs of the entire metro Atlanta area since 1966.
- See more at: http://www.coolray.com/library/article/dont-fall-for-the-furnace-maintenance-scam/?pmc=email&_vsrefdom=email#sthash.rxj2QijC.dpuf
Summer has officially ended and now that it’s fall, many local heating companies have begun the push for furnace maintenance.
And while we highly recommend yearly furnace maintenance to keep your heating system working all winter - there are a some companies that use furnace maintenance as a way to scam you.
You see, it costs a heating company a certain amount of money to get someone to your door. They’re paying the furnace technician’s salary, the vehicle’s gas to get the technicain there and other overhead costs. By offering such a low price, they’re just trying to get in your home to sell you something.
Put another way, if you get a tune-up from one of these heating companies and your furnace is running just fine, they lose money. So these companies will almost always “find” a large repair that has to be done immediately. (And they spend very little, if any, time actually tuning up your furnace. They’re only looking for problems.)
You’re left with a large estimate and the encouragement to do the repair immediately or your furnace won’t work.
- See more at: http://www.coolray.com/library/article/dont-fall-for-the-furnace-maintenance-scam/?pmc=email&_vsrefdom=email#sthash.rxj2QijC.dpuf
And while we highly recommend yearly furnace maintenance to keep your heating system working all winter - there are a some companies that use furnace maintenance as a way to scam you.
How a furnace maintenance scam works
Usually it starts like this - you get a flyer in the mail or stuck to your door offering a furnace tune-up for unbelievable prices (anywhere from free to $29 or $39). But watch out, these offers are almost always bait-and-switch scams.You see, it costs a heating company a certain amount of money to get someone to your door. They’re paying the furnace technician’s salary, the vehicle’s gas to get the technicain there and other overhead costs. By offering such a low price, they’re just trying to get in your home to sell you something.
Put another way, if you get a tune-up from one of these heating companies and your furnace is running just fine, they lose money. So these companies will almost always “find” a large repair that has to be done immediately. (And they spend very little, if any, time actually tuning up your furnace. They’re only looking for problems.)
You’re left with a large estimate and the encouragement to do the repair immediately or your furnace won’t work.
- See more at: http://www.coolray.com/library/article/dont-fall-for-the-furnace-maintenance-scam/?pmc=email&_vsrefdom=email#sthash.rxj2QijC.dpuf
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