1.
Are they a franchise?
The Steam Team is an owner-operated
partnership. We built it with our own hands and work hard
to gain your referrals and repeat business. The
reason we rate highest in the entire Bay Area for
outstanding customer care and satisfaction, is simple: we
truly care about our clients and do an outstanding job for
them. It’s has been proven to be good for business.
2. Who'll come
to my home? Are they independent contractors?
While some companies do not even bother to check about their
employees, we will not let anybody into your home who we will not
let into our own homes. With the Steam Team only one of the owners
will work for you. We are also bonded and fully insured so that
you are absolutely protected. Some companies use independent
contractors to save the cost of insurance, social security and
workers compensation (enormous savings!) That means that you might
be personally liable if anything happens. When we work for you,
you will have complete peace of mind.
3. How
well trained are the technicians? Are they IICRC certified?
Everyone at The Steam Team is an IICRC certified Master Carpet and
Textile Cleaner- the highest cleaning certification in the world.
We know of no other company that offers this. A Master Cleaner has
invested hundreds of hours in classes and successfully passed the
most rigorous tests in: carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning,
advanced stain removal, odor control, journeyman textile cleaner,
carpet dying and repair. Our thorough training and years of
experience assure that your valuable furnishings are in good hands
and will be meticulously and safely cleaned.
4. Do they pay their
employees a commission?
Commission-based cleaning employees have an incentive to
either sell you lots of extras or rush through the job
because this is how they make their money. We do not sell
you anything extra. We also feel strongly that taking all
the time necessary to do the best cleaning possible is the
surest way to win your referrals and repeat business. We
invest our time in you; and it's good for business.
5. One or two person cleaning crew?
It sounds like two are better then one. After all, can’t two
people do more then just one? And yes--the first and last ten
minutes of the cleaning go faster with two people. However, after
the first ten minutes only one person actually works while the
other chews gum. The unavoidable economic reality creates pressure
to rush and cut corners. You do the math:
While only one person cleans, two are being paid.
We use one-person crews exclusively. This enables us to take all
the time necessary to provide you with the best cleaning results
possible.
6. Is steam the only cleaning method you use?
As a consumer you may have found it very difficult and confusing
to understand which cleaning method is best. Not surprisingly
every company claims that their specific method is better. So
which one is the best—and who says so?
We at The Steam Team choose to offer our customers each and every
major cleaning method. We do have opinions about which is
better--ask us how we clean our own homes. However, we want you to
have the freedom to choose the cleaning method most advantageous
to you.
7. Everybody’s testimonials sound great. Can I talk with these
people and not just two or three of them?
We’ll give you as many referrals as you wish to check, not just a
few strategically chosen ones. Feel free to talk with each and
every one of our customers; ask whatever you need to know; and
decide for yourself.
8. Are they recommended by any organizations?
The Steam Team is the only company in the entire Bay Area
to be awarded the highest customer satisfaction rating by all, not
just one, of the following consumer organizations:
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“Consumer Check book” - Consumer Check Book is a
prestigious, subscriber only, consumer rating magazine.
You can not buy a rating in this independent consumer
publication; you have to be rated by their subscribers. |
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"Judy’s Book.” |
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“Consumer ValueStar.” |
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“San Francisco Good Service Guide”- 1991 till present |
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“San Mateo Good Service Guide” - 2001 till present |
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“IICRC”- Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration
Certification. |
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“CFI” - Carpet and Fabric Care Institute. |
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“Angie’s List.” |
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All of the above consumer organizations highly recommend The Steam
Team for “Outstanding customer care and satisfaction.”
9.
What does the price include?
Our cleaning includes: Spotting; grooming; high traffic area
pre-spraying; moving furniture within reason; extra-deep,
meticulously thorough hot water extraction; and extra dry passes
for fast drying. We use safe non-toxic, mostly naturally derived,
biodegradable cleaning products.
When we are done, your carpet will feel softer to the touch and be
nearly dry and residue free. It will also last longer--and you
will save money because you will not need to clean as frequently.
There are no hidden charges.
10. Do they use chemicals?
There is no other issue more misunderstood. And no other claim is
as commonly used to scare the consumer. No matter what they claim,
everyone uses chemicals. (If they claim that they don’t use
“chemicals,” do not give them the job on the grounds that lying to
you is not a good way to start a business relationship!)
To illustrate, we as human beings are walking, talking and on a
good day, singing chemicals. Water is a chemical. Water alone can
not dissolve heavy or oily soils created by cooking, pets or
air-born pollutants that settle even on the cleanest person’s
carpet. Try washing dirty clothes without using a little
detergent- it does not work. It will not work for your carpet
either.
The real issue is not chemicals but how toxic these chemicals are.
The Steam Team uses safe, non toxic, biodegradable, mostly
naturally derived cleaning products. Starting in 1991, we led the
field by offering our clients cleaning for people with scent and
chemical sensitivities.
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