HOW TO AVOID GARAGE DOOR SCAMS

If your garage door breaks, it’s important to get it serviced quickly to help keep your home safe and secure. Finding a garage door company to come to your home and make repairs the same day you call is a modern convenience we expect.

What we don’t expect is to be overcharged for unnecessary parts and service by a professional garage door company that appears at the top of our internet search results. Unfortunately, garage door scams are popping up in cities throughout the United States and Canada, especially when a homeowner needs emergency service.

The garage door industry trade associations and manufacturers have created a video series to help homeowners learn how to spot a scam and avoid over-paying for unnecessary repairs and parts.

Key takeaways:

• Garage door scammers target homeowners in need of emergency service.                                                                                     
• After you contact one of these scammers, they perform unnecessary repairs with unneeded parts and charge expensive fees for these services.                                                                                                                                                                                                        
• Garage door scammers prey on the homeowner’s lack of knowledge of garage door part and service costs.

Key takeaways:

• Garage door won’t close all the way: When the photo eye is broken, misaligned, or obstructed, your garage door will not close. The opener light often blinks repeatedly after every attempt to shut it. You can easily fix a misaligned or obstructed photo eye on your own by cleaning and readjusting it until the light is no longer flashing.
• Broken spring: You can visually detect a this by looking at the spring that is directly above the door opening on the wall. If the spring is broken, there will be a gap between the coils and it will need to be replaced. If you have two springs, both should be replaced at the same time.
• Garage door remote not working: If you have multiple remotes and one is not working, replacing the battery may solve the issue. If that is not the problem, or none of your remotes work, contact us at Georges Garage Doors.
• Noisy garage door: A noisy door can often be quieted by applying Clopay Pro Lube to the hinges, rollers, and springs. If your door still rattles and shakes, we can address the problem quickly and professionally.

If your garage door repair professional recommends additional parts, ask why they are needed. Getting two quotes from different garage door dealers is a great way to safeguard against overcharges.

Don’t forget to check in and see how you’re doing. Just because you don’t achieve the big goals right away doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.

Key takeaways:

• Garage door scammers often use multiple names, generic names, or unclear names. Your dealer should be listed consistently across their website and other advertising.
• Garage door scammers often do not have a legitimate physical showroom. Search Google Maps for the showroom address on their website to see if the search yields a legitimate business location.
• Many scams advertise a low fee for the service call, but add extra charges later. If you contact a company with a low-cost service call, get the quote on their recommended services before agreeing to completion of the work.
• When you succeed in achieving a goal, be it a big one or a small one, make sure to pat yourself on the back.

Key takeaways:

• When you call a repair service, your phone call is one of the best ways to tell if you are being set up for a scam.
• Listen to the garage door company’s name when they answer the phone. Does it match what is on their website or advertising? If they have any trouble consistently stating their name, choose another company.
• Ask for the address of the garage door service company. Does it match their website and advertising? If not, choose another one