All industries continue to be plagued by services which can best be defined as fraudulent. The garage door repair industry is no different. Each year scores of people get conned by so-called cheap or expert services. The best way not to get conned is to understand how the most common garage door repair scams works.

Rebuilding Package

Now this garage door scam runs by various names and with slight variations. The basic premise is that a garage door repair company will pay you a visit, examine the door, and say that everything needs to be replaced. So, even if you don’t need a completely overhauled garage door, they will still tell you, that new rollers, torsion springs, cables, and bearing brackets are required. But that’s not all!

Not only will they replace all these items but mark up the cost, then hide their installation charges, which means you end up paying hundreds of dollars if not thousands. Some companies have customer service people who will tell everyone who calls that they have broken torsion springs or ones that are worn out. Some even convince owners that their five or six-year-old hardware has to be replaced.

Even if your garage door spring is broken never be conned into buying new hardware. Torsion springs are under a tremendous load, and so they work the hardest. However, a seasoned professional should be able to replace the springs within an hour.

If all the parts of your garage door have been worn out, it would be a better idea to save some money and install a new garage door. Though this is only true for reputed professionals who you should trust for this assessment. Many reputed companies install new garage doors at the same cost if not less than a complete overhaul of your old garage door. So, don’t be fooled by complete overhaul scams by always getting a second opinion.

Image Credit Wikimedia Commons

Lifetime Guarantee Scam

Everyone would love a lifetime guarantee, and scammers know this for sure. However, if the guarantee only covers the parts used and not workmanship there is a chance you’ll be taken for a ride. The common assumption that homeowners make is that the lifetime guarantee or the warranty policy means that everything is covered at zero charge! Most trusted brands mention that the guarantee covers parts only under certain circumstances. But a scammer will never mention what the guarantee covers.

The scammer will often install a cheap, often unreliable part and offer a lifetime guarantee. A month later the part breaks down, and you’ll call them for help. The company returns, and replaces it with yet another cheap part but will charge you a lot for labor. The part is touted as free, but the labor costs you an arm and a leg. After a few months that part too will break down and hence the cycle of conning you continues.

The best way to save yourself from all this trouble is to find out what the guarantee covers. If you see that something they mention verbally isn’t covered in the contract, chances are that promise will not be fulfilled.

Concussion

The best way to save yourself from being scammed is to be vigilant. Always get a second opinion and shop around before making a decision.