Here's
what you might want to know BEFORE you write the check...
The
last time I checked, all four of these Giant National Carpet Retailers use
OTHER companies to
facilitate their carpet sales, measuring and installation services. That
means if you ever have a carpet problem or complaint, you may have a hard
time getting anyone to help you or take responsibility for making things
right.
Did
you know?
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Home
Depot and Lowe's contract out their measuring and installation
services to privately held companies?
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Empire
Today REQUIRES their sales people form their own corporation so they can be
independent sales contractors?
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Costco
sends all their members to "Custom Decorators" a privately
held company to handle all their flooring sales & installations?
What
does this all mean to YOU the homeowner? With so many fingers in the pie it is
not too hard to figure out that you might end up paying too much for your
new carpet. These four big
national retailers take a large chunk of the profit right off the top and
then let all these other privately held companies and independent
contractors have a shot at making some money from you
too. From costly measuring fees to needless padding upgrades, from carpet
removal and disposal fees to costly installation add-ons, there
are plenty of ways they will try to force you cough up a lot more money
before it's all said and done.
The
Lure of a Great Sounding Deal...
Sound
familiar? Get out your magnifying glass so you can read all the fine print
on these great sounding offers. These great sounding deals are designed to
attract unsuspecting homeowners who would like to save money but don't
know how to go about it. Unfortunately, these four conglomerates are big
players who have only one thing in mind: Making Big Money. The board of
directors must satisfy their stockholders or risk being fired, and the
stockholders only care about one thing... Making Big Profits! From you!
Both
Lowe's and Home Depot have been trying to lure-in unsuspecting homeowners
by giving away free "basic" carpet installation. They make up a
portion of the free installation costs within the carpet and padding
charges. Then they increase the charges for anything and everything that
is considered beyond their limited definition of a "basic"
installation. Their so-called
"free" carpet installation you were told about may not end up being
totally free once their subcontracted installers get
a good look at your home. It's highly likely there will be numerous extra fees
& charges
tacked- on to your final bill. Final bill? Yes, while they do require that you pay for the
whole carpet job IN FULL before they will place your carpet order.
The final bill comes on the day of installation when they determine that your
job requires extra floor prep, haul away, transitions, upholstery, Stairs,
additional labor, and/or materials that is considered beyond their limited definition
of a "Basic" carpet installation. This can easily add up to
hundreds in extra fees and charges that you were unprepared for. Surprise!
This type of scam NEVER happens
when you buy from a reputable, locally owned carpet dealer.
Home
Depot's Low
Price Guarantee? They say they will beat out anyone with a lower
price by 10%, but according to the fine print, that's only on identical in-stock items. That's
virtually impossible to substantiate because they use private labels on all their
carpet samples. They change the name of their carpet styles and colors to
make sure you have a difficult time comparison shopping. A low price
guarantee sure sounds good until you read the fine print.
The
Big Box
home improvement warehouses have been charging homeowners a measuring fee
just for coming
to your home and sizing you up. From what I have been told, the licensed
& certified measuring specialists they contract with are required to measure
your home using a special method. Does
that mean they add another 5, 10 or 15% of material to the total? I'm not
exactly sure, but
basically they want to make darn sure there is plenty of carpet to work
with so they don't run short during installation.
That might translate into paying for a lot more carpet and pad then you might actually
need. Just an extra 10 yards of material could easily add $250 to the
total cost of your job. Ouch!
Empire
Today likes to attract customers by airing repetitive TV ads featuring
great sounding sales and offering next day installation. If you call them,
they will send a sales professional to your home who will show you samples
and try to "close the sale" on the spot. Are you getting a fair
& square deal? How long will these flooring products last in your home
based on your level of foot traffic? These are just two critical questions
from many that you need solid answers to before you should commit yourself
to buying from any flooring retailer. My
advice? Never buy any flooring product without taking time to comparison
shop and be sure to get more than one estimate.
They
all use private labels on their products and use independent contractors
to sell and install their products. If you have a complaint, you have to
deal with the independent contractors to get a remedy. Have a Carpet
defect? You'll have to contact the carpet manufacturer. Have an
installation problem? You'll have to contact the carpet installer.
Salesperson misrepresented the product you purchased? contact the
independently contracted salesperson. At no point can Empire be held
Responsible for anything you purchase through them. That's probably why
they have a spotless A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau!
Costco
members are shown a small display with a rack full of miniature carpet
samples. (Lately they have been taking the samples down) See the photo at the top of this page? If you grab
their free brochure you will be provided with a phone number to call to start your in-home
Carpet Consultation Process. A well-trained sales professional will bring samples
to your home and be happy to write up your order and arrange for
installation. They do carry good quality carpet, but be prepared for
sticker shock when you see what the total cost will be. Again, you can't
comparison shop easily because they change the carpet style names and colors to
thwart you. You would need to take
their carpet samples into another retail carpet store to try to compare
side by side.
I've
spent over 30-years in the carpet business and my father was a mill rep
for 35 years. I know what I am talking about. If you are in the market for
new carpet or flooring of any kind, I think you should consider buying
from one of the dealers that I have listed in my Preferred Carpet Dealer
Directory. It's taken me years to locate, investigate and identify these
locally owned and family run businesses and I think they are the best of
the best in America.
I
suggest you visit several flooring retailers near you and then visit the
carpet store that I recommend. You decide for yourself who to buy from.
When it's all said and done, I think you will agree that my preferred
dealers are the most knowledgeable, honest and reputable! You'll be
treated with respect, get a fair and square deal, and get great service
before, during and after the sale. See who I recommend near you! Visit Alan's
List of Recommended Carpet Dealers
(don't
forget to print up my free coupon so you can get up to $100 off new
carpet!)
There's
a lot more you need to learn before you head out to shop for new carpet.
Read on...
-
Thanks
for the great info in your ebook. I read it, took good notes, and headed
for the carpet stores. – Ken
-
We
purchased your online book, lots of good advice!. – Susan
-
Your
ebook without a doubt saved me hundreds of dollars, let alone not
allowing me to buy a cheap made carpet. I found out, without your ebook,
you more or less go carpet shopping and are at the mercy of the carpet
salespeople selling you what they want to sell you rather than them
selling you what you want to buy. Thanks a million, or should I say
"hundreds" - Ken Palmer
-
I
found your website this a.m. and I'm very happy that there are still
good folks out there that is as helpful as you. Thank you! -
Donna
-
Thank
you for all the great information.
– Sarah
-
Your
book just saved me! I was pressuring my wife to buy Berber carpet
for our family of 4 (and growing). She asked me to research it and I
found your ebook. What a great help it is!
– Victor
-
I
bought your very helpful ebook last year and am finally getting around
to replacing my carpet. – Don
-
Thank
you for your advice on buying carpeting. Your ebook has helped me
deal with the overwhelming choices. - Ben
-
I
purchased your book a few months ago and am glad I did. Thanks for your
insights and advice. – Sarah
-
I
purchased your Carpet Buying Guide a couple of months ago and really
learned a great deal from it. – Sharon
Make yourself a
cup of hot tea or cocoa, sit down in front of your computer and relax. It's
incredible how much you will know about buying carpet from an hour or so of
easy reading.
Consumers email me to brag about how much money they saved,
and how they laughed in the face of sly salespeople! The closely-guarded
insider tips, tricks and secrets I reveal will make your carpet shopping
experience easy, fun & enjoyable!
Don’t take
chances with this costly home improvement, download my Carpet Buying Guide
and become one of the thousands of happy homeowners who have already
benefited from it! Your satisfaction is
guaranteed or your money back.
Don't let a mere $14.95
stop you from having a successful carpet shopping experience!
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Martha Stewart carpet, empire today carpet, Costco carpet, Anso carpet, Tactesse carpet
