D.A.’s Fraud Unit Sues Carpet Cleaners

A Los Angeles County carpet cleaning business accused of using strong-arm sales tactics with customers trying to use a company coupon was sued Thursday by the Ventura County district attorney’s consumer fraud unit.

The Superior Court lawsuit filed against Preferred Carpet, Drapery & Upholstery Cleaning accuses the company of making false and unsubstantiated claims in its advertising and of targeting senior citizens as victims.

The company, which also uses the name Preferred Carpet Care, mails coupons to potential customers offering to steam clean carpets for $4.95 a room or $19.95 for five rooms, according to the lawsuit. Once a salesman is in the home, however, he employs tactics designed to force the customer to purchase a much more expensive cleaning package, the lawsuit claims.

Those tactics include pouring a deep-cleaning chemical compound on a conspicuous spot on the customer’s carpet, leaving a bright spot. The lawsuit said that the salesman then says that to do an effective job of cleaning the rug, “and by implication, in order to have the bright spot removed,” the more expensive cleaning package must be purchased.

Some Preferred Carpet salesmen have refused to leave a customer’s house unless they are threatened or the consumer agrees to pay for the more expensive cleaning, the lawsuit says.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Gregory W. Brose, who supervises his office’s consumer fraud unit, said Preferred Carpet has operated in Ventura County for at least 18 months. He said his office’s investigation was triggered by customer complaints.

The lawsuit seeks $2,500 for each violation of law found to have been committed by Preferred Carpet. Along with the company, defendants named in the lawsuit include owners William P. Ricketts and Ron Meyer as well as employees John Pepe and Ramon Fuentevilla.