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Should I Buy Carpet from a Home Improvement Warehouse?
Buying from a home improvement store can be very
convenient. They have a huge amount of carpet samples to choose from and they
may be having a special sale on carpet, pad or installation going on right
now. One problem you will encounter when buying from a home improvement store
is that they have private labels on all their carpet samples. They have
changed all the style and color names to prevent you from
comparison shopping at other carpet stores. What this means to you is that if
you find a carpet that you really like, you will have a hard time finding the
exact same carpet at another carpet store. This is what I call a CARPET SCAM.
Chances are good that the same carpet is available at other carpet
stores in your area but are selling under a different style and color name.
Using private labels is how they prevent you from comparing their prices with
other carpet retailers. This is how they get away with charging you more for
the carpet, pad and installation. They are trying very hard to take away your
ability to find the best deal. Are their prices fair? How would you know if
you are unable to comparison shop?
One price deals
Carpet, pad and installation. You want a fair price on
all three. You want a fair price on carpet. You want a fair price on padding,
and you want a fair price on installation. How can you be sure you are getting
a fair price when they sell it as "one price for the job"??? You
can't and they know this very well.
Here is an example: You buy a good quality nylon BCF
carpet for $20 per yard. You buy 8-pound 7/16' rebond padding for $4 per yard.
Buy installation of a qualified carpet layer for $5 per yard including removal
and haul away of the old carpet and pad. The total you are spending is $29 per
yard for the whole job. Times that amount by the number of yard you need and
that is the whole price. You know what you are paying and that is good. You
got a fair deal on all three.
Now, If you go to a home improvement store where they
sell carpet, pad and install for "One Price for the whole job" then
it goes like this:
"How much is this carpet?" you ask. "$34.97
installed with pad." says the salesperson.
"But how much is the
carpet by itself?" you ask. "We don't disclose that information.
it's sold as a package deal" the salesperson replies.
"Which padding
do I get?" you ask. "It comes with the standard 6 pound padding, do
you want the upgraded pad for $2 more per yard?" the salesperson
replies.
When they won't tell you how much each item costs how can
you make an informed decision? They change the names, combine the pricing, and
limit the amount of information you have access to. You might as well go in
blindfolded with your hands tied behind your back and give them a signed blank
check. Don't gamble with your carpet purchase. You don't have to!
You need to know exactly what style and grade of carpet
to buy that will meet your needs and budget, get a fair and square deal on the
correct padding, and be sure to have your carpet installed properly by
qualified carpet installers. How do you accomplish all this? The Complete
Carpet Buying Guide. But don't order yet, there's more you need to know first.
Read on...
I am unhappy with my carpet purchase what do I do now?
"I'd like to know what I'm paying for
installation" you ask. "It's all included in the price. he
says.
"But what if I have
a problem with the installation?" you ask.
"We have an independent company that supplies all
our installation crews. You would have to call the installation company
directly and they will
send out someone to look at the problem" says the salesperson.
"What if I have a warranty issue with the
carpet?" you ask.
"You would need to call the carpet manufacturer
about that" the salesperson replies.
You see, even though you buy the carpet, pad and
installation from a home improvement store doesn't mean they can help you if
you have a problem. Should you have any problems with materials or
labor they simply refer you to the installer, the manufacturer or another
company that supplies the materials or labor. Once installed, the home improvement store
doesn't have any further responsibility to make sure you are satisfied with
your carpet purchase. They made their handsome profit and they are
done dealing with you beyond that.
Why is getting a remedy so difficult?
Home improvement stores don't warranty the carpet, the
carpet manufacturer does. You have to call the carpet manufacturer and they
will have the final decision on whether or not you have a valid warranty
claim.. Have you followed the warranty requirements to the letter?
You'd better hope so. Have you kept the carpet cleaning receipts? Have you
maintained the carpet properly? Did you buy a carpet that is capable of
handling your degree of foot traffic? Did you select the correct padding
thickness and density? Was the carpet installed according to the Carpet and
Rug Institute guidelines for residential carpeting? The list goes on and
on.
Home improvement stores don't warranty the installation,
the carpet installer does and must offer a one year warranty on his labor. You
must call the company that supplies the installers to the home improvement
store. They will send out the same installer to try to fix the problem. If
that installer no longer works for that company, they will send out someone
else to try to fix the problem.
Home improvement stores don't warranty the pad, the
padding manufacturer does. Seldom does the padding go bad or have
defects.
So whatever problem you have, you will have to seek a
remedy from one of these other companies. And what makes this even more
interesting, is that each one of these other companies will place the blame on
the other guy. Wrinkles in your carpet? call the installer. The installer says
it is a carpet defect. Call the carpet mill, they send a carpet inspector out to look. He
says you used the wrong padding. Call the home improvement store and say that
they sold you the wrong pad, they tell you that it is your responsibility to be sure that you ordered the correct padding. Now it's your fault. Your carpet
looks horrible and they tell you that it is your fault! You should have been
sure that the padding was the proper pad for the carpet you selected. It's
written in the carpet manufacturers warranty, didn't you read it? Hmmm. Maybe
you should consider ordering my ebook.
