If you happen to turn on your tv anytime during the day, you’ve likely seen the ads for Homeaglow, a company promising to get your whole house sparking clean for just $19, yes, $19. They’ll clean everything, even do your laundry, according to the broadcast ad.
After seeing the ad repeating endlessly on cable channels, I decided to check it out.
Homeaglow Inc is based in Austin, Texas, according to its initial business registration filing in Hawaii.
Corporate officers are listed as Aaron Cheung, CEO/Direcor, and Xiao Wei Chen, Secretary/Director.
On closer inspection, Homeaglow is setting itself up to be the Uber or Lyft of house cleaning.
The company “is a digital application-based company that facilitates ‘on-demand’ home cleaning services. Individuals who perform cleaning jobs for third parties sign up to be independent contractor cleaners through the Platform,” according to a declaration filed by Cheung in a class-action lawsuit filed earlier this year in California.
In other words, the company doesn’t clean houses. It owns and operates a digital platform that schedules “independent contractors” who sign up to offer cleaning services as part of its gig economy.
The privately-held company doesn’t have to file public reports, but “between December 5, 2018 and January 5, 2023, approximately 5,715 individuals performed approximately 129,910 cleaning jobs, performed on approximately 113,088 aggregated days, in the state of California for third parties using the Platform,” court records show.
A LinkedIn profile of someone who joined the company last year added more information about the company.
Fast forward 10 months, we’ve grown, we’re now at >$100m GMV, bootstrapped and net income profitable. We’re still a small company, with 9 in HQ and hundreds of colleagues in the Philippines. We’re now looking for employee #10, a growth PM who loves to make huge business impact and play in a large playground. Ideally, this PM wants to own a lot and can run independently.
But the available online reviews of the company’s services are quite critical, and point to several key problems on the ground, where cleaning services are actually performed. Basically, it’s another example of the familiar adage–If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And in this case, there are now mountains of negative reviews panning the service, many calling it a scam.
I’ll just browse through a few online complaints.
There are more than 80 complaints that have been lodged with the Better Business Bureau in Austin, where the company is headquartered, which gives it an “F” rating.
Here’s a typical complaint.
…falsely advertises and misleads customers with $19 home cleaning. What they leave out is that price is a lure to mislead customers to get trapped in a 6 month membership in addition to fees that they say they charge at their discretion to pay for their business expenses on top of and beyond the membership and actual cleaning costs. If you request to discontinue the monthly charges they will only allow you to do so with a big fee.
Some sound more desperate.
Homeaglow: I have been trying to cancel with this company for months. I have not been using any services yet they continue to charge my credit card $49 dollar monthly. I even switched my card info and somehow they were able to charge my new card. This company if fraudulent and stealing from many people daily. Please stop them!
Indeed.com collects complaints from the perspective of cleaners who sign up with the company. Here are a couple of samples.
Clients rarely tip, you have to waste money on your vehicle, gas and cleaning products for usually 20/hr. On top of that the clients was promised a whole house clean in 2 hours. They now have a shady deal where people sign up for a membership and pay for the cleaning on top of that so the client can’t choose to just hire me directly instead. No help from Home-a-glow except lies. They’ve sent me into BIOHAZARD cleaning jobs before where I would get in trouble if I left. Would never work for them again.
***
They “give” you tons of jobs that are never available to anyone.
It says job not available anymore
Then they will text you to say they tried calling when they never have. Just don’t do it
They have a bad reputation & employees as well as customers have nothing good to say
Eighty-four percent of the reviews on Trustpilot.com are for 1-star out of five, and some reviewers sound like they would have preferred an even lower rating.
This service is not worth the money! I only wanted to try the service first, but was forced to become a member. If you cancel prior to 6 months, you are charged $200 for the first cleaning for $19 originally.
The monthly service fee (which provides NO SERVICE!) was VERY MISLEADING appears to be included in the cost of the cleaning is actually an additional charge. But, once you book, you learn that you have to pay that membership fee monthly! SO, any savings from the “discounts” offered, are eaten up by the monthly fee. AND they also charge a $15 service fee per cleaning??? There is NO options to speak with a customer service representative. So, the monthly charge and service fee serves no purpose, it’s just an empty charge.
Here’s one review that was somewhat “balanced.”
The service provider was excellent. They did an excellent job. They were on time and I feel that I received what I paid for. But beware! In order to get their discounted rate, even the first time, you are signing up for a club that cost $50 a month and if you use the service once then you are locked into the club for six months. If you cancel your $20-$40 introductory fee would then be changed to upwards of $200. I paid for four hours of service for $39 which was a great deal. However, if I don’t stay with their club then I will be paying an additional $210 for that first service plus other fees. They are deceptive. And you will NEVER REACH A LIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE.
A review at 99Consumer put the blame on those gullible enough to believe that you can get your house cleaned for $19.
HONESTLY!! All the individuals here who have expressed disappointment and disapproval of the company, especially those who are upset about the payments and fees they charge after you try to cancel, I say you DESERVE IT! You deserve to be scammed every bit of the way. Why would you in your ever right mind listen to a commercial that only wants to “charge” you $19 for your first cleaning. Like really think about it. Does that sound like a company who is even willing to pay their workers well? Does that sound like a company who is going to prioritize anyone but the company, they literally told you to book a cleaning for ONLY $19 !!!! That’s outrageous. I would never try to have someone come and clean the place that I’m suppose to Value and call HOME the place Wher I lay my head and get peace of mind. I should only pay someone $19 I don’t care I value the place I live in too much to stoop that low, or try to get a lowball offer to clean my place, y’all deserve it. Good for you. Sorry but Stop supporting those type of company’s, most of you are adults but your really need to grow up and stop being so sheeply.
And, yes, it appears the company is active in Hawaii. It was registered with the state in August 2022. And the Homeaglow website says their service is available in Hawaii: “Yes, 235 people near 96816 signed up for Homeaglow in the last 30 days!”
But quite obviously, this is a classic case of “Buyer, Beware!”
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“Facebooked” your article to warn against this scammer. Thank you again Ian….
I am a cleaner for homeaglow and I DO NOT AND WILL NOT RECOMMEND TO ANYONE!!! There’s so many deceptive practices and absolutely no human resources or even a person to call as a cleaner if u have an emergency!! Not to mention the cleaner also has to pay homeaglow 5 dollars an hour to clean for them!!! The worst
Auwe Homeaglow! Thank you Ian…
I’ve had my share of experiences with house cleaning services, and this article struck a chord. It’s important to consider both positive and negative reviews before making a decision. Transparency and communication play a huge role in a successful cleaning service. I’ll definitely be more vigilant in my selection process after reading this.
It offers a critical take on the Homeaglow House Cleaning Service, presenting a balanced view by addressing both positive and negative reviews. By dissecting customer experiences, the blog post equips potential clients with valuable insights to aid their decision-making process.
The entire advertisement is False Advertising. #1 The $19.00 is only for a coupon/ Voucher allowing you to schedule a cleaning #2 You DO NOT GET TO SELECT A CLEANER Homeaglow sends a Sub Contractor some of who are convicted felons as they do no background checks #3 Per the “Contract” they require you to sign the sub contractor bills you additionally for services #4 Extremely difficult to get a representative from Homeaglow on the phone.
If I could have gave them a zero I would, Also check all their complaints on the BBB.org website! It’s Horrendous!
I was absolutely given a background check. I was not able to take jobs until my background check was complete. I’m not sure which company you’re referring to ???? but I was definitely given one.
Sorry but that is incorrect. They 100 % do background checks on their cleaners
I thought I was signing up for a 6 month membership at $49/month for one hour of a service of my choice with a $19 voucher applied toward the initial appointment.
I realized I was scammed when I couldn’t get the same cleaner for my follow-up appointment and couldn’t find a customer service number.
What to do except call the BBB. Any ideas?
Totally unfair and horrible company to work for not only do they lie to their customers but also their cleaners you are no way compensated for time supplies or travel but they also take $5.00 per hour out of the pay Not given fair choice at jobs but given clients that expect a miracle and unrealistic expectations then penalize the cleaner. Save yourself the stress Do not waste your time
Hello I just recently signed up to be a worker for themi have not done my first job yet will be soon but wanted to tell you that in the agreement contact i signed for travel it a tax right off they have a app that your supposed to fill out when you book jobs for gas, mileage and repairs and have to upload receipts as well
I’ve seen this commercial all the time one just ran on t.v.as I’m typing this. It’s not a buyer beware by any means. This is a do you have even one cent of common sense. I’ve cleaned many houses in my life time. In your right mind does 19 dollars to clean an entire home sound possible even if it’s just the first time. Any company that makes such an offer is losing money lots of money making such a claim. To clean a whole house well takes a person 6-8 hours minimum. And that’s for an average single story 1500 sq.ft. house and that does not include doing windows, laundry,and dishes. I’ve never once was requested to dishes,or laundry. Windows alone is a 4hour job minimum. So how they have the idea of charging 19 dollars for the first clean including windows, laundry, and dishes is ridiculous. Hell why not promise you your yard and car washed too. Think before you even try to allow yourself to call this company to clean for you. You have shopped at a store in your lifetime the cleaning products are going to exceed 19 dollars. How in your right mind would you even call a business that’s losing money with this ridiculous offer. God gave everyone common sense and He expects you to use it. Another home a glow commercial is on right now.
As a cleaner who started a month ago I regretted not checking reviews, inspite of only allowed to work 6 jobs before my account was paused for no reason, when I emailed to ask why I was assured I didn’t break any rules but was limited to how many jobs I take to allow clients to be match with top cleaners. I was 2 weeks in the company had 5 stars 4 out of my 6 clients had already requested me for their next cleaning which I couldn’t accept due to the “paused” after several emails today my account was deactivated for no reasons code DTC which could find the meaning of the code
THE WORST!!! STAY AWAY! They are SCAMMERS!
As the saying goes………….caveat emptor, “let the buyer beware”. From the plethora of 1/5 reviews of this fly by night company, you would be better off looking somewhere else. There are numerous other very reputable companies out there, like Merry Maid to look into. Don’t allow yourself to get sucked into their scam.
Homeglow or whatever names they channel to at this time has a long history of false advertising and misleading the customers since 2015. Every time the subject starts to be a problem then the just change the name and assume a new identity. Their advertising is very misleading and does not meet FTC guidelines and they seem to think if they put the terms and conditions in the very very fine print at the bottom left hand portion of their website it covers them or will try to make you think it covers them. Yes they even fooled me I went over they website looking for this information and asking for this information when I kept seeing our members get these great discounts yet I could never find any plans or cost I was under the understanding I could get my home done at the rate of $39 a month plus a processing fee so that$ $49 a month but what are your membership fees I sent in several emails just silence but we need a valid credit card but I stated I gave it to you no we need one to put a hold on a future cleaning. SO DUMB ME GAVE THEM A CARD WITH MORE PURCHASE POWER SO IN DECEMBER 4TH AND 6TH I SAW $49 CHARGE TWICE WHEN I EMAILED THEM DEMANDING WHAT THE CHARGES WERE ABOUT I GOT A REPLY THATS MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP FEES AND YOU WERE BEHIND A MONTH PLUS THE EXTRA $60 WAS DO TO THE FACT YOU CHANGED YOUR APPT DURING HOLIDAYS SO WE CHARGE $40 AN HOUR. FIRST THE CHANGED THE APPT NOT ME BECAUSE THEY SAID NEED A VALID CRERIT CARD AND THE PEOPLE WHO PERFORM THE SERVICE NEVER RECEIVE ANY EXTRA AMOUNT ON THATVSO CALLLED DOUBLE HOLIDAYS RATE AS THEY STATE THEY GIVE TO THEM. SO THE WAR WAS ON AND IN SHORT TERM I WON AND ITS LOOKS LIKE THEIR ADVERTISING PLATFORM AS CHANGED FOR THE TIME BEING
BUYER BEWARE
Homeaglow is a JOKE! I scheduled a 2 time cleaning appointment for 6 hours with promised discount. Homeaglow informed me I had joined a six month commitment at $49 a month. My only cleaning session lasted 4 hours. Homeaglow charged me the $49 monthly fee, $79 for my one cleaning session and a Cancellation fee of $115.25. My one four hour session cost me $243.25. You can’t speak to a customer service person and Homeaglow only communicate by email. They will rebook your appointment when convent to Homeaglow. This is the worst company to deal with and you will regret their suspecious activities. This should be a 0 star review.
Date of experience: December 24, 2023
Edit
How can I cancel, I just signed up tonight
Cancel your credit card, dispute the charges, call the local law enforcement for business fraud. These are bad people.
I have been a professional house keeper for 20+ years. Those claims of whats all included for 19. Time to book appts, provide all cleaning supplies. Wash all these towels and supplies each time. Gas for trip, wear and tare on your car. All office supplies needed. Time takes drive in traffic not paid trip charge. In commercial say “ I fired my last house keeper” Who does that! When you find a good housekeeper, you keep her! My average client stayed with me 7 years. People, your not going to get honest, dependable hard working housekeeper for 19.00 unfortunate this has happened. Read the contract. You get what you pay for…I think because most homeowners can do the work, that choose not to. You do not criticize your own housekeeping work or keep detail hours time may take you to do everything your housekeeper is doing. Then you white glove us. Did you ever white glove your own work? Have realistic expectations.