When I first called Merry Maids, the receptionist was very professional. Within one day, the co-owner - Hassan Baraka - came to my house, looked it over, and gave me a reasonable quote. I scheduled an appointment and he took my credit card number.
On the morning of the scheduled appointment, 1 hour after they should have been here, Hassan called to tell me that there was a bad accident on the beltway. Seemed reasonable. 2 hours later they still weren't here. Even in DC, 3 hours is pretty unusual when coming from a few miles away.
So I called the main number and spoke to the receptionist. She said they were here, waiting outside. I asked why they hadn't called to be let in, and she didn't know. She said she would follow up. 20 minutes later and after standing outside to wait, still nothing. Finally, I called back again and she said they couldn't find parking... Funny for 8: first thing in the morning in a major development. At that point, I cancelled the appointment, since I had to leave in only an hour now anyway.
Two days later, Hassan called back and although full of excuses, seemed sorry. So I rescheduled. The morning of - again 30 minutes late - they called saying they didn't know where to park. No one spoke English, so I called the receptionist again. After 4 more back and forth calls, eventually, they actually arrived.
Where it gets really bad...
Hassan calls me and asks for my credit card number. I tell him I already gave it to him. He asks for it again. I give it to him and ask if he needs anything else, and he says no. He then calls again and asks for the security code, and I give it to him. He then calls again, and says the card is declined. I tell him the card has no limit, check with the bank, and when it's fine, call him again. I ask if he's using the correct name (I just recently got married and changed it), and he says that doesn't matter. He says it's still declined.
So, I agree to pay cash. He barks at me - 'put Rosa on the phone' to which I sarcastically respond ' aye aye sir.' She hangs up. Then, she tells me that Hassan says they can't start until I pay them. I call him back, ask him if this how he treats his customers, and tell him to never contact me again.
To top it off, they did a half a* job.
Do not use this service - especially not Hassan Baraka's franchise in Maryland!!!
0 comments