Coupon Ripoff?

@zeloguy (4911)
United States
April 15, 2011 12:09am CST
So my wife has asthma and when we built our home in 2004 I made sure it had an air purifier in it and we had mostly tile floors and the such. Now after some six years we felt it was time to get the air ducts cleaned out and found an amazing offer that offered 10 ducts cleaned for the incredible price of $59.95. What a deal I'm thinking... this is over $200 of work. So the guys come out and they do an 'estimate' of my house. What did the 'estimate' come out to be? How about $861.09 (IF I used the $59.99 coupon, whoopee save $10!) We finally negotiated a price of a little over $300 but according to the guys who did the work (really nice guys BTW), they couldn't have done the $59.95 work without doing other things. Now to be perfectly honest it does say on the coupon 'extra services are extra money' but if you can't even do something without charging for something else... that's fishy to me! Ah well I'm out $300 but have clean vents/ducts. Zelo
2 responses
Stephannie
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
15 Apr 11
I hear ya. You have to always read the fine print when you think you are going to get a real deal on something. There is always something there to make the price skyrocket but also grab your attention to make you feel like you are still getting a good deal. Glad you got it done though.
1 person likes this
zeloguy
@zeloguy (4911)
• United States
15 Apr 11
Yeah when they went in with a flashlight and checked the motor and the heat pump outside it was all good that could have gotten into the thousands. I knew what I was getting into; kinda. I was expecting $200 and got and estimate of over $800. I was JUUUST a little off on my thinking. One thing is for sure; I knew it wasn't going to be any $59.95! Thanks for the response. Zelo
coffeebreak
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
15 Apr 11
Like with any coupon...you have to read the fine print and then often...ask about it when you call to make the appointment. That's what I do....just to make sure. Then get the name of the person that quoted you the price. Coupons are good if they are used right, but as the ones using them, we are the ones that have to find out how to use them right.