Sometimes we find ourselves locked out, or something in our homes break. Most will call a repair shop, but calling the first one that comes up in a search could cost extra or even be a scam.
Homeowner Jamie O'Neill called a local repairman when the spring on her garage door broke. She went with the first one on the search, a mistake that cost her.
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She said the worker arrived in an unmarked old van and piled additional fees on her bill. By the time she was done, her bill was $1,258.
Cathie Fehrman found herself in a similar situation earlier this year when she was locked out of her house. She needed a locksmith immediately. She also called the first company in the search and was given a huge bill.
Bradford Rogers at PDQ Doors, a top-rated door installer said that shady garage door repair companies have become a huge problem - some have even pretended to be with his company.
"Sometimes those competitors aren't necessarily legitimate competitors. They are illegal operations pretending to be a garage door company and they are really not.", said Rogers.
To make sure you don't waste your money...
- Don't simply call the first company that pops up in a search
- Make sure you are dealing with a local business, with a local office
- Read reviews at the Better Business Bureau.
- Make sure they are in a marked vehicle, with the company name on it.
Have your radar up, so you don't waste your money.