Ten Tips on Choosing A Garage Door Repair Service
- Ask your friends for recommendations of good garage door companies.
- Get estimates from two or three competing businesses, and ask for clear statement of warranties involved.
- Ask the company for a list of customer references in your area.
- Ask for the "total minimum charges" for a service call (basic fee, travel, labor, parts, etc.)
- Don't equate the size of a Yellow Pages ad with the reputability of the company.
- Don't blindly believe information in an ad. Some companies have been known to publish large ads with false or misleading information.
- Call your local better business Bureau to see if complaints have been filed against a certain company.
- If possible, be present while the work is being done. Some scam artists have been known to intentionally break parts and then replace them.
- Don't authorize work to be done until they clearly explain the problem and the exact costs. Repairs to a garage door will rarely cost several hundred dollars.
- Never pay in-full, up front. Asking for a partial deposit is a legitimate business practice, but be sure you are dealing with a reputable company before even paying a deposit..
Five Red Flags
Address unknown. Does the business have a published physical address in your area? Some fraudulent businesses advertise many phone numbers but have no physical address.
High Pressure. Does the technician pressure you to make a quick decision? Does the technician claim that your family or property is in danger if the proposed repair or replacement isn't done immediately?
Surprise Visit. Be wary if a company knocks on your door, claiming to have a special deal.
No-Name Phone ID. Do they answer the phone with their advertised business name? If they operate under several business names, they often answer the phone with a generic response, such as, "Garage door service."
Pre-payment. Do they demand payment in full before the project is complete? Never pay for an entire job in advance. Avoid paying in cash whenever possible
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