How to file a complaint against a pool service?

[azriverfan.]

One way to receive excellent service is learning how to screen companies beforehand. I attempt to get estimates. And if they don't provide free estimates, I don't bother hiring the company. While acquiring estimates, you are more or less interviewing those companies. I've gotten several estimates from companies that provided a very reasonable price but I didn't particularly like the approach of the company and didn't feel like I could work with that person. I like companies that are organized and provide friendly customer service. For example, I did this with a landscaping company I hired recently. Prior to hiring them, I interviewed several companies and some companies were cheaper but were rude, disorganized, showed up late to provide the estimate, were not very detail oriented in how they presented their services or answered questions. Getting an estimate can't tell you everything about a company but it can tell you a lot; if someone says they are going to stop by at 3 PM to provide an estimate and they show up at 4:30 and don't call in advance to tell you they are running late or apologize, you don't want to hire that company. I hired the company I had the best experience with and they have not failed to disappoint.

Whenever hiring a service or company, try to do the same. Get estimates and use your gut instinct. If the person is not that friendly during the "courting process" they are unlikely to get friendlier later on.

I don't get estimates to obtain the cheapest price. I get estimates to interview the company. I'm happy to pay a higher price if I'm receiving good service and peace of mind.

[Juram]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

Based on my personal experience, I would not recommend filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB is not a government organization. It's a private organization that charges companies to register with them annually. Companies pay the BBB to be filed with them. Some of the BBB's practices were discussed on ABC's 20/20. Based on my experience, the BBB was hesitant to publish negative reviews about companies unless they receive many which is a number they don't specify.

Better Business Bureau Probe | Video - ABC News


My recommendation is to post a review on Yelp. Yelp is arguably the most popular and well read review site, it's the Facebook of review sites. It's free and you can be anonymous. It's linked to Facebook so a lot of people will read your review. If they are not listed on Yelp, you can create a page for them instantly and then review them. I've hired people based on yelp reviews and they were accurate. Go to

Phoenix Restaurants, Dentists, Bars, Beauty Salons, Doctors

I would also post a review on Angies List as others stated. That is also a great idea.

Finally, when posting a negative review, be professional and accurate. State exactly what they did and be careful how you phrase things. For example saying "They provide terrible service" is different than "In my experience, I didn't feel like they provided good service" Don't state anything that isn't true.

This, the BBB is a joke. You'll find companies with 20+ complaints in 12 months in under a year having an A+ rating and the BBB actually lists one of the reasons for the high rating as "the companies response to 20 complaints."


The BBB makes money off of companies paying for accreditation.....they're more liable to these companies than they are to consumers, the only companies they really nail are the obvious scum-bucket types that are glaringly obvious. Your BBB rating generally is as good as you can afford to pay, period.



When it comes to dealing with unruly contractors, if they require licensing, the ROC is by FAR the best way to get things done, if they don't, then Ripoff Report, Yelp, Kudzu, Angie's List and Citysearch are all good places to warn others about shoddy service.

[ReadyFreddy]

I agree that the BBB is a joke.

[wit-nit]

If you want to file a complaint, contact these people and explain your situation, they'll tell you what you can or cannot do. If they are a licensable company they will tell you and take appropriate action.
Arizona Registrar of Contractors
3838 N. Central Avenue, Suite 400, Phoenix AZ 85012
Arizona Registrar of Contractors
Phone Number: 602.542.1525
Fax Number: 602.542.1599