Here is the actual press release and ad. Due to poor reproduction during scanning, the numbered areas are expanded below:

1. "Also Available-Preconditioning For Heavily Soiled Areas"

2. "Some heavily soiled carpets and upholstery may require preconditioning for best results"

3. The Consumer and Environmental Protection Division ofthe Ventura County District Attorney's Office announced that The Honorable Robert C. Bradley approved a stipulated judgment today between the Ventura County District Attorney, on behalf of The People of the State of California, and defendant Ron Meyer. Meyer does business as "Preferred Carpet, Drapery, and Upholstery Care," located in Simi Valley.

The lawsuit filed on May 11, 1995, alleged that Meyer utilized unfair and coercive bait and switch tactics in marketing his carpet-cleaning services to Ventura County residents.

The complaint alleged that Meyer used bulk-mailed coupon circulars (see copy attached) which advertised inexpensive carpet steam cleaning. The complaint alleged that Meyer used the advertisements to get leads for appointments at potential customers homes, but when his technicians arrived at consumers homes, they coerced customers into buying extra services costing ten to twenty times the prices quoted in the advertising circular.

Specifically, the complaint alleged that Preferred would "switch" consumers by performing demonstrations (without consent from the customer) of it's extra "deep cleaning" service, in the middle of customers rooms, even though the customers had only requested the low cost advertised basic steam cleaning service. The demonstrations allegedly left an obvious bright spot in the middle of the carpet, which customers were informed would not be removed by the advertised service. Customers were thus left with a choice between paying several times more than the anticipated price, or being left with an obvious bright patch of carpet in the middle of one of their rooms.

Under the settlement, Meyer was required to advise consumers prior to performing any demonstrations, and to revise his work order slip to contain a prominent advisory concerning the demonstration. In addition Meyer agreed to pay $11,000 as civil penalties and $1,500 as cy pres restitution to the Ventura County Library Fund, for the purposes of supporting the operation of libraries in Ventura County.