Special Reports

LOS ANGELES (CBS) ― We've all seen the ads for those discount carpet cleaners who claim they'll do the job for a few dollars a room. CBS 2 investigative reporter David Goldstein went undercover to see if they would follow through with their promises.

"What's the price to clean this?'"

The coupons claim they'll clean your carpets dirt cheap.

"It says any three rooms for $45."

But are they just trying to clean out your wallet?

"You have it written down, it's like $700."

We set up hidden cameras to find out.

"That's bait and switch."

"I don't know what you're taking about."

"You know what I'm talking about. You claim to work for all these companies."

"It says right here. Deluxe cleaning."

I don't have a Pennysaver and I don't want to talk with you anymore."

"Hey. Where you going? What's the $24.95 for?"

Our undercover producer called those coupon carpet cleaners to see if they would actually honor the discount price.

"Hello. Hi."

Shine carpet's ad said $24.95 for three rooms.

"Yeah, three rooms"

But the technician said that's only for steam cleaning – which wouldn't really clean. We needed more.

"How much is it going to cost me to do all this?"

"$100"

"$100!"

We told him we didn't have the money and just wanted the $24.95 special.

"It's $25 and that's what the cost should be."

"Thank you and have a nice day."

He just walked out. Not even honoring the ad.

"Hold on a second. What's the $24.95 for if you're not cleaning."

"Hold on a second man. Where you going?"

"Hi."

Next we called Father and Son Carpet Care. $6.95 a room.

"Just from looking at it right off the bat you gotta precondition."

Charles also said we needed preconditioning and steam won't work. But he was a little more truthful about the ads.

"It's just a marketing thing. That's how they get the phone to ring. Once we get there, if that's all that's needed, it's fine, but most people need preconditioning."

He brought his equipment and demonstrated how he could get the dirt out.

"See this dirty water. That's just that spot."

Then he hit us with the price.

"I usually get $120.00 when I do these rooms"

Again we said we didn't have the money and just wanted the basic steam cleaning price.

"To spend an hour for $16 is just not work the hassle. I would rather you rent a rug doctor."

He refused. The owner of Father and Son Carpet Care said Charles was a sub-contractor and didn't work for him.

"Is it a bait and switch?"

"I have no idea you tell me."

"I'm asking you."

"I have no idea."

"It looks like it to me."

And finally Shawn from Elite Carpet Care. He apparently couldn't even believe we'd fall for the price of $45 for 3 rooms.

"Do you really think for 45 bucks you get a good clean? Like stains removing and all this stuff?"

His top price?

"You have it written down. It's like $700."

When we walked in with the camera – Shawn grabbed his pad and ran right out the door.

"It's first $45--now $200, $300, $700?"

"I don't want to do anything with this."


Experts warn not to fall for the bait and switch. No one can clean carpets for a few dollars a room.
Use reputable companies in your area.

"You didn't want to honor the $6.95.

"Yes I did."

"You said go rent a machine."

"Sir, you're wasting my time."

Out of five companies that we called to our undercover apartment-- only one agreed to do it for the low price. Four basically refused for one reason or another. That's against the law. Companies have to honor their advertised price.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)