If you’re looking for a heating and cooling contractor in the Seattle or Eastside areas, here are three recommendations.  (Two I’ve used successfully, and one was recommended by a long-time agent who has sent me good people in the past.)

Eastside:

Tom Duff, Highlander Heating and Cooling:  (425) 868-2971 *

Seattle and Eastside:

Bassett Home Heating Inc.: (425) 398-1666

Seattle (and maybe Eastside):

Mark at Matrix Energy Services:  (206) 682-0212 *

(The * means that I’ve used this contractor.)

As always, I recommend the best people I know but don’t assume any liability.  Feedback on your experience with anyone I recommend is greatly appreciated!

I thought I’d post this because a client of mine was robbed recently after hiring someone off of Craiglist to do some work on her home.

First, for the record, let me just say that I love Craigslist – I post my listings on there, I buy things on there, and overall I’m big on online buying – my last 4 computers came from eBay.

However, there are some things to keep in mind that can help you have a safer experience when you hire from Craigslist.

• Make sure you get real, valid contact information from the person you hire.

My friend communicated with the guy she hired mainly by email.  The phone number she got was for his ex-girlfriend’s beauty salon, and always went to voicemail.

• Ask for references.

Chances are if this person has sleazed out in the past he or she won’t have any, and won’t go to the trouble to try to create fake ones.

• Don’t let your guard down.

It’s amazing how quickly we can get used to people coming in and out of our homes, using our spare keys, etc.  The person my friend hired caught on to the fact that she often left her back door open for one of her pets who has mobility problems.

• Watch for clues to bad behavior.

When my friend described this person to the police (after she came home to find her home robbed, electronics and personal items gone, including birthday packages full of clothes for her two-year old - can you imagine?) she told them he had really bad teeth.  The police just nodded and said, “Oh, meth-mouth.”

Methamphetamine use rots people’s teeth -  I think heroin does the same thing.

For the record, I have to point out that this person was never tracked down or convicted of committing this crime, so there’s always the chance he didn’t do it.  But it did happen right after he was fired and he didn’t respond to emails about the robbery, so it doesn’t look good.

Anyway, I know there are plenty of good contractors on Craigslist, and also plenty of upstanding workers who have bad teeth.  I just wanted to pass on to you some tips that would have helped prevent my client from being robbed.  Hire carefully!

Just a reminder, since this is the shopping season and a lot of us are purchasing online:

If you see a space for a coupon code when you’re checking out of an online store you often can find a code just by doing a Google search.

The other day I saved over $40 when I was buying art on Art.com (an amazing store and website, by the way) when by just Googling ‘art.com coupon codes’ I found one for 20% off of my order.

FYI, the coupon code I used was 84P20 (expires 12/31/08), and the page I got it from which has other codes is here:  http://www.momsview.com/art.shtml.

There’s a great little pet supply and dog self-wash store called Bones and Nips in the Totem Lake area of Kirkland that I wanted to mention because I’ve pointed it out to a number of people who hadn’t heard of it.

It’s located at 11613 124th Ave NE in Kirkland (between NE 116th and NE 124th Streets, basically across the street from Taco Bell), and they have a really nice selection of dog collars, dog beds, and supplies for cats as well.

They also (woe to Libby) have a dog washing station, which always appears neat and clean.

So while the subject of your attention may not always appreciate the visit (see resentful expression, below)…

Bones and Nips is worth checking out – I’ve found cute dog collars there that I didn’t see in other stores, the prices were reasonable and the dog washing station is a nicely kept area.  (They also have full grooming services.)

www.BonesandNips.com  11613 124th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA  98034  (425) 825-WOOF (9663)