I sometimes read online social media reports because doing so keeps me abreast of what is happening in the maid service industry.
I have noticed a disturbing pattern recently. People are going to social media to share the following type of facts:
- The coupon that they purchased to get their cheap cleaning is not being honored by the “company” that sold it.
- They were forced to pay a gratuity prior to booking services.
- There is no contact person with whom to share complaints or concerns.
- Phone calls go to voice mail 100% of the time with no call backs.
- “Cleaning Techs” are showing up at houses without any cleaning products or equipment!
The long and short of it is, people are hiring companies—-usually via “coupons” without any type of prior knowledge of such companies. They have no idea who owns the company. They have no history of the company. The website of the company is vague and/or misleading. There is no real contact information leading to any semblance of a real company.
I have also seen reviews that reveal that there are some pseudo-cleaning companies out here that are hiring illegal day workers to fulfill coupons. And they are sending those strangers into homes. It boggles my mind how people are so willing to allow anything in their homes in the name of getting a “deal”. People are allowing thieves and possibly rapists or murderers from off the street into their homes in a quest to save a few bucks.
Check out this review, written regarding an apparent pseudo DC company that is headquartered in New York:
This was the worst cleaning service I ever had in my home.
I get my house cleaned every month and thought I would try a new service- BIG MISTAKE USING THIS COMPANY!The woman was an hour late and left an hour early, sprayed terrible smelling chemicals everywhere, and did not actually CLEAN a single thing. She took clorox wipes and wiped them on my mirrors making them unclear and dirty, and she swiffered a little, putting my swifter back in the closet WITH THE DIRTY WET WIPE STILL ON IT! What a terrible service! I used a living social coupon for this and they refunded me- thank god! But I had already paid an online tip for the company and I have written them many emails and not only have they not refunded me or apologized, they have not even responded. I have never been so unhappy with a company, and I never ever have had such a bad experience with a maid service.
She didn’t bring any cleaning supplies with her. I offered her to use the vacuum at least 3 times (hinting to actually clean something!) and she still didn’t do it.
I am not sure what happened in my house- I never heard any water running to clean a sink or shower, and everything looked worse and more dirty than when she started. The house smelled terrible, like toxic chemicals and yet nothing seemed to be treated with them.I am so incredibly unhappy with my service that I am writing a review! I do not want anyone else to have this horrible chemical sprayed in their home, or lose their money to this terrible service. This company should be sued for fraud and should be ashamed to even be in business- that is how upset I am with my wasted time and money.
The woman above is dealing with an alleged pseudo company that operates out of New York. They have set up an office in DC and are continuing what appears to be a money grabbing scam. Sadly, coupon companies—in their desperation to keep “deals” running, are interacting with these fake cleaning companies and people are falling for the dangerous game out of trust for the coupon companies. My fear is that it will come to a head with someone getting seriously hurt by an “employee” in one of these pseudo/scam companies.
Below is a review about the same company, but this person wrote about the New York division (both DC and NY divisions have “F” ratings):
The company should be avoided at all costs, unless you want breakage to be at your expense. Note they state all their cleaning people are “independent contractors” and are liable for breakage. Nice! The woman broke a large piece of glass at my apartment, acknowledged the breakage and then disappeared. Try getting any restitution from the company or the “independent contractor.” Any company such as this one, that does not take responsibility for its services, by independent contractors or employees should, in my opinion, be avoided. Unless you like aggravation and more damage than cleaning, avoid this one.
All this leads me back to my original question. Do you have a clue as to who owns the cleaning company that’s sending workers into your home? If not, it would be to your advantage—-and your family’s safety to find out. If you cannot find out, don’t use them.
UpperCrust Maids is owned by Greg and Cathy Green. Check us out on the “About Us” page. We are real people running a real company. Call us at 301-322-7112. If a receptionist does not answer, leave a message and I guarantee you that you will receive a call back within 24 hours! Do we charge more than the pseudo companies? Of course we do. But we are a real company and we charge real fees.