| Your name 2005-06-16, 2:31 pm |
| Lar <larlfu@comcastBUGS.net> wrote in
news:MPG.1cb902a0a02c6dc19896dd@netnews.comcast.net:
quote:
> Stay away from Terminix and Orkin. Their costs will include to pay
> the commissions for the salesmen, then the commissions for the
> technicians and higher costs for name recognition.
> Ask friends/neighbors who they use and like. Find someone who is
> established and check the BBB to make sure they have no problems. Don't
> go too cheap...many companies advertise low prices ($50 and under per
> quarter) only to tell you once they start to treat, I found rodent
> dropping, extra $$$... I found a silverfish, extra $$$ , etc and you can
> end up paying more than what you would with the large companies. Every
> part of the country differs, but $65-$85 a quarter seems to be common.
> If an inspection indicates a problem, have them show you the problem.
> If fixing the problem costs much additional costs you don't need to be
> pressured into the extra work...what ever pest they have found can
> probably go another day or two before remedy.
>
I can't agree strongly enough with your advice about "the big guys", and
not only for the reasons you mention.
I've been a lurker to this group; I am NOT a technician, I answer the
phones, take messages, set appointments, etc. for our techs. My
experiences lie only in talking to hundreds of customers every week, and of
course to the techs themselves (one of whom is my BIL; "shop talk" makes
family gatherings interesting...<G> ).
I'd also add to your excellent advice to find out if you will have the same
technician each time, and if your technician is accessible. Many of our
customers who have used the franchise/chain companies in the past are
shocked to learn that their technician is always willing to return their
phone calls between the quarterly visits, that they will have the same
technician for each visit (doesn't always happen with the big guys; in this
area at least, they have a big turnover rate), and that they can speak
directly to their technician if necessary.
Just for the record, quarterly service with our company here in Michigan
does include everything (no surprises or extra charges) and is below your
common rates - of course geographically, as you note, there are variations
 .
owly the lurker <G>
|