VANCOUVER, WA — A January 17 nationwide television program on carpet cleaning “bait and switch” tactics sparked heavy Internet user traffic to The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification’s (IICRC) Web site.
The IICRC reports that, in three weeks since the NBC Dateline show aired, users made 21,726 visits to the site. IICRC also received more than 1500 e-mail messages.
During the show, Jeff Bishop IICRC chairman, explained correct carpet cleaning techniques and analyzed the approach used by cleaners who attempted to get a Dateline volunteer homeowner to pay for cleaning priced much higher than advertised.
Bishop also discussed the importance of certification and why consumers should use the services of certified firms or technicians.
“As an organization dedicated to educating and certifying firms and individuals in the industry, the IICRC is dedicated to helping to inform the public about how to select a certified professional,” says Bishop. “The response from consumers and individuals in the industry has been overwhelmingly positive. This is just one more way we can provide value to our registrants and to consumers.”
When the program aired, IICRC made more than 5,250 referrals from its 800-telephone number (800-835-4624). IICRC says these referrals represent more than $3 million in potential revenue for certified technicians and firms. That figure, the organization says, is based on an average cost of $150 per residential cleaning job.
