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Cva
Citizen
Username: Cva
Post Number: 37
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 2:07 pm: | 
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Since we moved to our new house in February, I have received several phone calls from a company, "United Chimney" that wants to clean my chimney and heating flu for "a reduced special rate of $59." I blew the woman off several times, but she is persistent and I finally caved and agreed to a flu cleaning. Am I being scammed? |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 9104
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 2:18 pm: |
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Yes.
No, no, no. Call her back and cancel. Be firm.
Next time, tell them to take you off of their calling list. Keep in mind that once you say "yes", they'll keep bugging you.
The $59 is always more because your chimney has "special problems". You may even "need a new liner." A thorough cleaning by a licensed, insured pro is more than that. Expect to pay $100-$150 to a legit company.
This is a huge opportunity for scams. Chimney cleaning is one of those areas where the legitimate, good ones are swamped & you may have to wait for an appointment. Get referrals from MOL or your new neighbors.
You definitely should have it checked & cleaned, because not all home owners do it regularly. I swear by Bob Harris at Top Hat & Tails. Dave the Village Sweep is recommended a lot on this board, but I've never used him.
Other people may have recommendations, too, or perhaps your oil company has someone that they work with or know about in this area.
A general rule of thumb is to stay away from any home-fixit contractor who solicits via phone. |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 651
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 2:22 pm: |
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We got those calls a lot when we moved in. They always said that the previous owner of the house (whom they mentioned by name) used them regularly, and it was time for our next regular cleaning. We've never done it, and eventually they just stopped calling. |
mjh
Supporter
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 758
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 2:51 pm: |
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Yup. I fell for that "we used to service the previous owner" line the first time (as a first-time homeowner), and agreed to let one company come to evaluate and clean. Afterward, I received calls from at least 2 other companies with the same claim and then felt like a fool.
The scammer came and basically did nothing. Though he claimed to have cleaned, there was visible stuffing (insulation) that would have been fun to deal with had we lit a fire. He also really tried to intimidate me into buying a new liner. What scammers and jerks these guys can be!
Agree on Top Hat & Tails. He did a thorough cleaning, and told us the liner looked new. |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 2305
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 2:53 pm: |
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Just be aware that Top Hat and Tails charges for estimates. If you get service, you can apply the price you paid, but if you don't go with him, you're out the cost of the estimate. |
Cva
Citizen
Username: Cva
Post Number: 38
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 9:11 am: |
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Thanks all. I've cancelled the appointment. |
Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 256
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 4:43 pm: |
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FYI,
We have used these people in the past - they tried to sell us other services but we politely refused. I was there and they did clean our chimneys for the $59 - 2 guys came - they spent at least an hour and were covered with black dust when they left had aluminum poles with extensions and a mix of brushes
The low ball price is to get in the door and try to sell you things you don't need - either way they still cleaned the chimney. Not sure what would have happened if my wife would have dealt with the situation as I said I observed the complete process.
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