Senior Homeowners Pressured to Sign $927 Vent Cleaning Service Agreement & Company is Now Unresponsive
Posting this review on behalf of my elderly parents. I'm only giving one star because it is required to leave a review.
Please be very careful if you are considering using Vent Duct Cleaning LLC.
Last week, a technician named Mike (he did not provide a last name) came to my parents' home in Tarpon Springs, Florida to perform a duct cleaning. According to my parents, during the visit Mike told them their home was at risk of catching fire. This was especially upsetting because one of my parents is physically disabled and both of them lived through a major fire in their condo complex a few years ago. Naturally, they were frightened and took his warning seriously.
Mike then convinced them to enter into a five-year service agreement totaling $927 for vent cleanings (one cleaning every six months). When they asked how much a single cleaning would cost, they were not given a price and were pressured to pay for the long-term service agreement instead.
Things became even more concerning afterward. Mike did not schedule the next cleaning, even though he said it would be due in six months. Instead, he told them to call him when the time came. He is now not answering or returning their calls.
When I contacted Mike directly to try to sort this out, he denied performing the cleaning at all, despite the fact that payment for the service had been accepted and the check had been cashed. He then hung up on me.
I contacted Vent Duct Cleaning LLC and spoke to someone who identified himself as "TJ" and was told that no one named Mike works for the company. However, the cashed check was made payable to Vent Duct Cleaning LLC, the company information appears on the invoice provided by Mike, and several other online reviews mention a technician named Mike. I also found responses from the company to positive reviews that specifically thank or praise Mike, which made the claim that no one by that name works there particularly confusing.
I have since confirmed with the company's invoice provider that the invoice number associated with this transaction is valid, confirming that the invoice was issued through their system.
If you're considering hiring this company, I'd recommend confirming the identity of the technician who shows up at your home and verifying any credentials before writing a check or agreeing to additional services.
I'm still trying to get answers, and there may be more to learn about this situation. In the meantime, I wanted to share my parents' experience so that other families, especially seniors and vulnerable homeowners, can make an informed decision.