Archive for the ‘Consumer Service Tips’ Category

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How to Protect Yourself When You’re Paying a Small Business

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

As if a down economy weren’t enough, there’s something else to worry about when the country is going through a recession: scams and dishonest small businesses. We don’t want to go through the world every day assuming everyone is out to get us, but we don’t want to play the role of “sucker,” either. So how exactly can you protect yourself when you’re paying a small business these days, without becoming paranoid? Here are some quick tips.

Reputation, Reputation, Reputation.

Reputation is probably the most powerful indicator you have as to the quality and honesty of a small business. If you’re buying a lamp on eBay, you can easily peruse a seller’s feedback ratings to see how honest they are. As for today’s small businesses, it’s nearly impossible to get away with being a cheat or a scammer over a long period of time.

A quick Google search will help you better understand the reputation of the small business you’re working with. Check around and see if you can contact anyone who’s worked with the business before to see what their experience was. A little prevention can save you a lot of pain when it comes to your money.

Beware the Free Lunch.

Everyone knows there’s “no such thing as a free lunch,” but is that true? When you’re working with small businesses, it can be. Although you don’t want to turn away businesses because they offer free consultations or samples, you also don’t want to be taken in by the prospect of paying too little for what you’re getting. Remember that when it comes to quality, you often get what you pay for.

You should especially be on the watch for small businesses that solicit you with a free offer. It’s better if you notice an advertisement or a Web site that advertises a free offer and you come to that business yourself.

Avoiding Paranoia

Avoiding paranoia means having a healthy outlook on life: you prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Paranoia means you prepare for the worst and expect the worst. Be willing to trust people with your money, even if it’s not always comfortable. Ultimately, you’ll need other people to do something for you one day anyway.

Of course, not everyone’s out to get you. Eventually, you’ll have to trust your own intuition and gut-level instincts. If everything checks out, pay a small business and don’t look over their shoulder every fifteen minutes. It’s not a pleasant experience to be a sucker, but it’s not fun to be a nervous nellie, either.

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Compare Companies to Save Money

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

With today’s roller coaster economy, everyone is looking for ways to stretch their paycheck. And, when there is an unexpected household or business expense, getting the best price for your hard earned cash is vital. After all, you want to get the optimum price for the job to be done. So, learning how to compare companies to save money on household jobs is a good way to keep more money in your pocket.

Depending on the type of job to be done, the specific criteria to be compared will likely change; however, here are some generalities to keep in mind.

  1. Begin by compiling a list of specifications that are important to you. Some of these may include: Is the company licensed and bonded? Do they have a money-back guarantee? Does the company provide workmen’s compensation? How much are you willing/able to spend?
  2. Ask people you know for recommendations based on price, performance and product.
  3. Check out the company with the BBB. If any of the companies you are considering are listed-especially with numerous grievances-take them off your list.
  4. Are there limits to what the company is willing to change in regards to procedures? If so, why or why not? Sometimes it may be a safety issue. Be willing to compromise unless it is a known health or precautionary concern.
  5. Are the companies known for customer service? You may be dealing with the company for a length of time; you want a company known for being fair, respectful and considerate in their customer service.
  6. Be sure you are comparing the same services. Just because you are comparing two services does not mean that they use the same cleaning methods, products or work ethic. They may use the same lingo, but have different definitions. Thanks to LocalPrice you now can compare the services side by side.

Once you have narrowed down your selections, make a few phone calls to help finalize your choice. As you call your prospective service providers, be sure to ask about company guarantees and proof of licensing and bonding. You may even want see if they are willing to negotiate on the price. Many companies “pad their price” so there is often wiggle room.

By taking the time to compare prices, you can ensure that you get the most for your money-so don’t be afraid to shop around for the best for your budget.

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Things to Consider when Moving

Friday, July 10th, 2009

Atlanta moving company

Moving is challenging, whether going across town or to a completely new state, the process is certainly not on the list of top ten fun things to experience for most people. The process of moving involves making many decisions, some easy and some a little more complex. Most people agree that with good planning, moving does not have to be a nightmare. The key is for people in this situation to know the things to consider when moving so they can plan and get everything organized. The outcome would include saving money, being far less stressed, and ending up with a much smoother transaction.

One of the most important things to consider when moving is hiring the right moving company. Obviously, people could save money by choosing a lesser-known company but this often means taking a risk. Reputable companies provide reasonable pricing but more importantly, a highly trained team and guarantee. Therefore, while it might be tempting for a person to go with a cheap company as a means of saving money, this could end up in disaster.

Another thing to consider when moving is the packing. One way of saving money is for the homeowner to do his or her own packing but this requires more than just throwing possessions into boxes. It is important that sturdy boxes be purchased or found and that appropriate packing material be used. From there, it is far easier for just one room to be packed at a time with delicate items being carefully wrapped the each box labeled according to room and contents. After the person arrives at the new home, unpacking is far easier because a little time and effort was taken on the starting end of the move.

It is also important that important and valuable items such as jewelry, family heirlooms, collectibles, or even loose items be packed in a separate box with everything clearly marked in a see-through bag. Then, instead of this box going with the moving company, the person moving would place the box in his or her car. Even a small box with necessities such as toilet paper, pet food, medication, coffeemaker and coffee, etc would be beneficial. That way, his or her most prized possessions are guaranteed to get to the new location unharmed.

Another one of the important things to consider when moving has to do with notifications. The person would need to visit the local post office or visiting the postal service website, filling out a change of address card. Once the information has been provided, the individual should follow up with the post office about a week prior to the move to confirm everything is taken care of.

In addition to the change of address, the person should make a list of all services and utilities that would need to be turned off or changed for the new address. This would include standard utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and phone, but also trash pickup, magazine subscriptions, bank statements, creditors, driver’s license, and so on. For people that would be moving to a new state, the Department of Motor Vehicle would need to be notified according to law so all renewal notices and other vehicle related information would be forwarded.

Find the cost of movers in Atlanta as well as reliable, bonded, and insured Atlanta moving companies. There are many things to consider when moving but finding a moving company is now easier than ever with LocalPrice. All you have to do is use our guide to compare movers and find one that is best for your needs.

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Importance of Bonding

Monday, June 29th, 2009

When you get ready to hire a company to do a job for you, it is likely that you will hear (or read) the phrase, “We are licensed and bonded”. But what exactly does that mean? Does it really matter if a company is licensed and bonded? As a home or business owner, hiring a workman or service company is part of life. Knowing the importance of bonding and licensing can make the difference between a job you are pleased with one in which you are burned.

Bonding and Licensing Q&A:

  1. What is bonding? Simply put, bonding is “A third party obligation promising to pay if a vendor does not fulfill its valid obligation under contract.”
  2. Are there different types of bonds? Yes. There are 5 types of bonds: Performance Bonds which guarantees that work will be accomplished as stated in the contract; A Bid Bond which promises you (the company) will perform the work if you win the work contract; a Indemnity Bond which guarantees to reimburse loss incurred for failure to achieve the work or if payment to other vendors is not done; a Licensed Bond which is required in some states for certain business; and, a Payment Bond which promises you will pay all subcontractors and material providers for items used on the job.
  3. Is a bond the same as insurance? No. A bond only means that a job will be completed properly and as the contract stated.
  4. What about licensing? Depending on the type of job, licensing is not necessarily needed. However, most states require a general business license. Companies with a license are often more reputable and are a bit easier to research for customer reviews.
  5. How can I find out if a company really is bonded and licensed? Contact the Register of Contractors or the Contractor’s State Licensing Board.
  6. Why is licensing important? Licensing allows you to assure yourself that you are getting qualified workers. Typically, getting a license requires fingerprinting and a background check. Also, a licensed contractor often has a minimum of 4 years experience and must pass at least 2 test that demonstrate knowledge of their field.

    7. With any job, you get what you pay for. By hiring a licensed and bonded contractor, you are protecting yourself and taking the steps necessary to see that you have a job with which you are pleased.

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How Important is a Termite Bond?

Friday, June 26th, 2009

Current homeowners and people thinking of buying a home need to know the dangers of termites. These tiny insects are the most destructive in all of North America, causing serious damage to homes inside and outside. Termites live underground where they build tunnels. Within the tunnels are various rooms used for storing the food they eat – wood. In the wild, termites scavenge for dead trees but when termites build tunnels around a home, they find food in the form of wood decking, foundation, floor and ceiling joists, and so on.

The problem is that if an infestation of termites is not controlled quickly, they multiply and soon, thousands and thousands of dollars of damage has been done, often creating an unsafe environment for the homeowner. For homebuyers, regardless of the property’s age, it is important to purchase a termite bond after treatment. During the time the home inspection would be performed, a professional should be hired to complete a termite inspection. This inspection is so vital that buyers should never sign a contract for the purchase of the home until this is completed.

During the inspection, the professional would look at areas where termites are commonly found. The exception is during the month of April, a time when termites swarm and remain inside wood, devouring everything they can. The inspection involves looking for tunnels or any other suspicious area. Once the inspection is completed, the professional would provide the homeowner with a report on his or her findings, outlining the location of damage and the degree of damage. The inspector would also recommend that the homeowner have the termite problem treated immediately. For the buyer, the cost of this treatment usually falls back on the seller.

After treatment, the pest control company would offer the new homeowner what is known as a termite bond. Of course, existing homeowners that are not selling should also consider having an inspection done, at which time they too would have the option of a termite bond. In both cases, the termite bond is a type of contract whereby the home would be inspected once a year to identify any new termite activity. A termite bond does require an annual fee but considering the depth of damage these tiny insects do, it is a great investment.

Typically, a termite bond guarantees that if new termite activity were found upon inspection, the home would be treated again at no charge. Some pest control companies also put in the contract that any damage done by the new termite activity would be covered at their expense. For a homeowner to pay for such damages, the cost would be significant so the small fee of the termite bond makes it a wise decision.

The most important thing is that once the homeowner agrees to a termite bond, this contract should not be allowed to expire. Even if the homeowner expects to remain in the home for 20 years, the annual fee ensures protection from damaging termites. In summary, the termite bond is an agreement between homeowner and pest control company that any future problems with termites after the home was treated would be the responsibility of the company and not the homeowner.

Find termite control companies in Georgia where you can get a termite bond for Atlanta so that you can rest soundly knowing that your home investment is protected.

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Pros and Cons of Lasik

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

Atlanta Lasik

Since Lasik corrective eye surgery has become available, millions of people have gone through the process, most with great results. While this type of surgery is refined and the outcome positive in most cases it is still surgery. Therefore, anyone that is has given thought of having this type of eye surgery performed needs to first look at the pros and cons of Lasik to determine if this is the best decision.

Lasik corrective eye surgery was first approved by the Federal Drug Administration or FDA in 1998. Although this means the surgery has been performed for more than 10 years, this is not enough time for long-term studies to be performed. Considering this surgery involves a person’s eyes, learning everything possible is imperative. Obviously, as with any surgery, there are risks. Therefore, choosing a board certified surgeon, someone with years of experience and who works in a high quality facility is the most important factor.

As far as the pros for Lasik, one of the greatest is that a person’s eyesight is not just improved but improved immediately. In fact, most people sit up after having the surgery performed and for the first time, look across the room and see the numbers on the clock with clear vision. For people who suffer from low to medium levels of farsightedness, moderate to high degrees of nearsightedness, astigmatism, or even for people with thickening corneas, there are many benefits to Lasik surgery.

A couple other pros that go along with Lasik surgery is that for the majority of patients, recovery is fast and easy. In fact, as much as 85% of patients that undergo this type of eye surgery have clear vision and no pain within 24 hours. Compared to the older non-laser types of corrective eye surgery, this is a vast improvement. In addition, a good surgeon can perform Lasik surgery and have both eyes completed in less than five minutes. With this, the patient is ready to leave in an hour, feeling great and seeing with clarity.

Along with the pros, some cons of Lasik need to be understood. While most facilities where this type of eye surgery is performed are clean, designed with state-of-the-art equipment, and highly maintained, some fly-by-night companies have cropped up. Therefore, people need to do their homework first to ensure they are choosing a top doctor and facility for the safety of the eyes, but also for better vision.

Another potential problem associated with Lasik is that if the surgeon does not have the required training, education, experience, and skills, the patient might be misdiagnosed. This means instead of walking out of surgery seeing, the individual might end up with a lifetime of double vision, glares, halos, and other problems. Obviously, going from having poor vision to being completely debilitated would be devastating.

One other con for Lasik is that for people that are farsighted will end up with diminished results with age. Therefore, this person would have improved vision but at some point in life, he or she would once again be wearing glasses or contact lenses. The thing is that Lasik can be an incredible option, one that changes a person’s life for the better but because people have but two eyes, this decision should be taken very seriously.

Learn more about the cost of Lasik in Atlanta and compare eye surgeons and various procedures available. Find out what surgeons in metro Atlanta are Fellowship trained, how many procedures they’ve performed, and other important information that will help you make an informed decision.

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Do I Really Need a Professional Just for Pressure Washing?

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Many people are tired of looking at stains, mold, mildew, and other unsightly spots on the exterior of the home, dealing with deep dirt on a driveway, or trying one cleaning method after another but without success. While some people consider doing the pressure washing on their own, a common question is “Do I really need a professional just for pressure washing?” In truth, people could rent a power washer and do the job themselves but with this type of washing being specialized, if not done right, significant damage would be done.

In addition, power washers are designed to spray water at high rates of speed. Therefore, if someone were accidentally to aim the nozzle at another person or pet, serious physical harm would be likely. This is why hiring a professional for the job is a much safer option. With this, the surface needing to be cleaned would look beautiful but without damage or physical harm to family and pets.

Depending on the professional pressure washer hired, some use various chemicals to sanitize, as well as clean. The benefit of hiring a professional for a job such as this is that they use the best and safest equipment, they understand the best water temperature, and they use appropriate cleaning products. Most professionals physically remove anything in the area being cleaned before getting started. For instance, if the deck were to be cleaned, any outdoor furniture, plants, waterfalls, and other items would be moved to a safe location and covered.

The professional hired for pressure washing would also check the homeowner’s doors and windows to make sure they were securely closed. Window screens would be taken down and set aside to prevent possible damage. These professionals also lay the hose used for pressure washing out carefully to ensure the garden, lawn, or other plants are not accidentally damaged.

After the area is prepared, the professional would begin by applying the cleaning product, spraying at the bottom and moving upward to prevent dripping and the development of unwanted stains. After the substance had time to break up grease, oil, and dirt, the pressure washing machine would be used for getting rid of mildew, spider webs, mold, dirt, and so on. Professional pressure washing is so versatile that it can be used on gutters, railings, home exteriors, equipment, and more.

Because there is so much involved and due to the amount of time, it would take the homeowner to complete the job, the answer to the question “Do I really need a professional just for pressure washing”, the answer is yes. These professionals have the knowledge, training, and experience needed to ensure the outcome was perfect. Using state-of-the-art equipment, the area cleaned is restored to its original appearance.

Professional pressure washing services take the work seriously. Because of this, they provide the homeowner with a contract, one that outlines the services being performed, the types of chemicals and equipment used, and a guarantee that if the homeowner were not satisfied, the work would be redone. Pressure washing requires specialized training, something the normal homeowner would not possess so paying for a professional would be considered money well spent.

Learn more about the cost of pressure washing in Atlanta and compare Atlanta pressure washers at the LocalPrice guide for this helpful service. As someone that has tackled this job before I can tell you that hiring a professional is money well spent because by the time you rent the equipment and dedicate a day to the job you come out better hiring someone.

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Hiring a Small Business

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

You’ve just purchased your first investment property and it needs a little work, or maybe a lot of work. No, wait a minute, maybe you just wrecked your car or maybe you’re looking into having some landscaping done around your home this spring, or maybe you need a personalized sign made for your kid’s soccer team. Are you hiring a caterer? Whatever it is that you have to do, you are more than likely going to use a small business to get it done.

When hiring a company to provide a particular service to you, there are certain things that everyone should look for that might help you make a good decision on whom to select. Of course, common sense should always be used. If you have a bad feeling about a company, especially after meeting their representative, then it would pay to do a little extra research before hiring them.

The best way to get started in finding a small business that can meet your needs is to find out what choices you have. You can look on the Internet or search the Yellow Pages in your phonebook, but remember that the best website or the largest and most colorful ad in the phonebook doesn’t necessarily translate into the best service. It all really depends on your needs. If you are looking for a carpenter to build on to your back porch then it is not very likely that you will find a website or an ad in the Yellow Pages. In situations like that it’s good to ask people that you know that work around that business that can lend some advice or maybe some referrals. Usually, that is the best way to find out what is the best company in your area for that particular service. Another thing that you can do is build a list from your web & phonebook search and then ask around and narrow down your list that way. So, do your research first and save yourself a lot of trouble down the road.

You always want to make sure that the business has attained the proper insurance and licenses for their particular field. Any reputable business should be happy to provide you with proper documentation of their credentials. This is very important as many people have been ripped off by companies that were not legit. If you are suspicious of a company or just want to double check, you can call the business office in the city or county that the business is based from to make sure that their status is up to date.

Whenever it is possible I like to know the history of a company when deciding on whom to choose. The best company for you may not be the company that has been in business longer, but you’re sure to have more to judge their performance by. A company that has not been around quite as long may be the best choice for you, but I would certainly be 100% confident in my choice before signing a contract with them. Also, don’t assume that a company that has been in business for a long time is the best choice. Do your research! Management or ownership changes can certainly change the nature and philosophy of a company, so make sure that you are “in the know” as to who’s in charge!

This is a simple but effective way to get you started in looking for a small business that can serve you. Now more than ever we want to make sure that the companies that we hire are in good financial shape and not disappearing or going bankrupt while they are working for us. So, do your research and take your time making your decision and I think that you’ll be surprised at how well you can do at “Hiring a Small Business”.

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How to Avoid Getting Scammed by Carpet Cleaners

Friday, June 19th, 2009

Sadly, many people around the country have lost significant money by being scammed by carpet cleaners. Whether on the phone or in person, consumers are introduced to a new carpet cleaning service, product, or technology, and believing they will end up with carpets that look brand new, they pay only to end up with nothing, a subpar job, or an outrageous bill. Because this type of scam is so prevalent, it is important for you to know how to avoid getting scammed by carpet cleaners.

One way to avoid being taken for a ride is for you to conduct research. Any company that calls or comes by your home and pressures you to make an on-the-spot decision should be considered fraudulent. After all, reputable and honest carpet cleaning companies would have no problem with a potential customer doing research prior to making a commitment. Therefore, excessive pestering or pressure would be a sure-fine sign that the company doing the selling is not what they claim to be.

Often, you’ll get some type of coupon in the mail, which is designed to save you money while introducing you to a new service such as carpeting cleaning. While coupons are often used by honest companies for marketing, they have now become a popular choice for carpet cleaning companies that are not on the up and up. In this case, a homeowner might decide to have the company come to their home for carpet cleaning but when the job is done, the coupon is not honored for one reason or another.

Known as the bait and switch scam, carpet-cleaning companies across the country use it. The goal of the carpet cleaning company is to get into your home by marketing or advertising an extremely low price for a supposedly great service. However, after the work is done the company starts tacking on a variety of additional fees that were not mentioned in the coupon. By the time you get the bill, it is hundreds of dollars more than anticipated.

Therefore, if you receive a coupon in the mail for carpet cleaning you should start by reading the printed information carefully. This means understanding the specific service being provided, as well as any guarantee. Of course, if you still have concerns visit the Better Business Bureau’s website at www.bbb.org and look the company up by name to determine if any complaints have been filed against them, the number and type of complaints, and if there are any outstanding claims in existence.

You can avoid being scammed by carpet cleaning companies by knowing how to deal with them. While the service might be fine, the problem is that the salespeople are trained to oversell. This means while you may only want the basic service, the carpet cleaning company may come up with bogus reasons why additional services or products are needed to do the job. In this case, you need to stand firm, and refuse everything but the basic services agreed to or stick with a known carpet cleaning company.

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Burglar Alarms: To Contract or Not to Contract

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Atlanta Burglar Alarm Costs

As crime rises, people are choosing a home security system for protection. People interested in burglar alarms have two primary options – a do-it-yourself security system or a system installed by a professional security company. Both options come with pros and cons. For instance, burglar alarm systems installed by the homeowner would not be under contract with a monitoring company whereas a professional system would be. With this, the question of to contract or not to contract needs to be addressed.

The advantages of self-installed burglar alarm systems are that they are generally inexpensive and easy to install. Systems such as this include wireless cameras, sensor lights, or perhaps a sticker on the window or a sign in the yard. While some people choose home security systems such as this believing they are improving protection of family and property, the truth is without monitoring, help falls back on the homeowner’s ability to call local law enforcement for help when needed.

This is why most people realize the value of hiring a professional security company, one that would go to the home, perform an analysis on the type of system needed, and then have the installation completed by a highly trained professional. Once the system is in place, if an intruder were to try to break in, the burglar system would set off an alarm notifying the residents but more importantly, the monitoring company would contact the appropriate emergency services (police or fire), and send help.

While the do-it-yourself installation means no contract, it also means a low-grade security system. Therefore, the best choice is for the individual to work with a reputable burglar alarm company, which would require a contract. After this decision has been made, the individual would then need to make comparisons between the various home security companies to determine the one that would provide the best system but at the most affordable price.

While non-monitored burglar alarms might serve as a deterrent to an intruder, homeowners are taking a huge risk for family’s safety and the security of property. Therefore, choosing a monitored system, one that requires a contract is a great investment. Today, reputable security companies are eager to work with homeowners, often offering to customize plans specific to the need. For instance, if one family has an elderly person in the home, the system might be modified to include a personal alarm in case that person were to fall or become ill while no one was at home.

For the contract, homeowners would need to look at everything carefully before signing. Information typically covers the length of the contract, the type of system being installed, the monthly payment, as well as any fees associated with the installation, monitoring fees, and other terms of the service such as service calls, repairs, and accidental trips. Look at our guide to get an idea of cost of burglar alarms in Atlanta so you’ll know what the variations are and what additional services and features cost.

People need to keep in mind that most alarm companies charge for extra services such as personal alarm, carbon monoxide or radon monitoring, fire, and even system maintenance. Therefore, going over the contract first and asking questions with the representative could save the individual money while giving that person much-needed peace of mind regarding better protection.

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