BBB Alleges Air Conditioning Companies Of Bait & Switch

The Better Business Bureau of Acadiana wants to caution people about an air conditioning vent/ duct cleaning company who operates on the local level as CleanaVent, also known as VacuVent or Coastal Environmental LLC.  The BBB alleges they are using bait and switch advertising.

The BBB says their reports indicate that under the VacuVent name, the company “lures customers with bait and switch tactics”.  Basically the company offers you some really great advertised price through print or on the phone, like twenty-five dollars for cleaning, but that changes when they are face to face with you.  The BBB says they make customers believe they have a serious mold problem.  The price for that?  Over a thousand bucks!

Locally, CleanaVent has an F rating with the BBB under their Coastal Environmental name at the following address: http://www.bbb.org/south-east-florida/business-reviews/duct-and-air-filtration-system-cleaning-contractors/coastal-environmental-in-sebastian-fl-23005852.

The F rating comes from 94 complaints filed against the company.  The BBB says they did not respond to 54 complaints, and 11 complaints filed against business that were not resolved.

Here are some things that the Better Business Bureau recommends you can do to avoid problems:

• If you hire a company to clean vents or other air conditioning ventilation systems and you are informed of a mold problem, seek out a second opinion before paying thousands of dollars.
• Cheaper is not always better.
• Be sure to read all fine print in advertisements and contracts before signing them or agreeing to any service.
• Be sure to get a firm price on the services rendered before signing any contract or agreement.
• START WITH TRUST. Always check with the BBB before using a business or service to ensure you will use a reliable company.

The BBB of Acadiana says they work to maintain standards for truthful advertising.  They also investigate and expose fraud against consumers and businesses.  You can contact the BBB at www.acadiana.bbb.org  or (337) 981-3497 24 hours a day for information on businesses throughout North America.