Orkin’s Free Inspections

Apparently, pests aren’t the only thing Orkin exterminates.

As of early last week, Orkin encouraged visitors to its website to call the pest control company for a “free inspection” of their home. Now, Orkin says to call for a “free personalized quote.”

Where did the free inspection go?

The change comes after TINA.org reached out to Orkin after receiving a complaint from a consumer who said he feared he might have mice in his home so he called the company for a free inspection only to be told “we don’t do that.”

In addition to sharing his experience, the consumer pointed to an FAQ on Orkin’s website that states that the company does not give free inspections.

In response to our request for comment on this apparent bait and switch, an Orkin spokesperson said the company updated the page to be “clearer” about what it is actually offering – which is to say, a free personalized quote instead of a free inspection.

But contrary to what Orkin says in its website FAQ, the spokesperson said the company “does indeed offer free inspections for termite (and some other) services because we know each home is unique.”

In addition, while the quote may be free, you cannot submit a request for a quote without agreeing to Orkin’s terms of use and privacy policy. The former includes an arbitration agreement that prevents you from bringing Orkin to court should any problems arise and the latter states, among other things, that Orkin may share your personal information with a host of companies including advertising partners.

“Signing a privacy policy and terms of use are standard operating procedure for our industry (and legally required) whether or not services are rendered for free,” the Orkin spokesperson said.

Still, it all sounds a little pesky if you ask us.

Find more of our coverage on bait-and-switch schemes here.