How To Choose New Flooring Like A Pro!
Carpet | Vinyl Tile & Plank | Hardwood | Local Stores
(Free Information by Consumer Advocate - No Flooring Sales)
Why I Only Recommend
Locally-Owned Carpet Stores
When you're shopping for a new carpet, don't forget to check out your
local flooring shops. These stores carry quality products, provide guaranteed installation and
first-class customer service. You'll also get the most bang for your buck with a
reputable locally-owned establishment.
Locally-owned and family-run carpet stores are my favorite because they stand behind their products & workmanship. These are your neighbors and they pay state and local taxes that help support your schools and maintain your roads. Most large corporations rarely pay any taxes and have lousy customer service.
Locally-owned carpet stores thrive from building an honest and reliable reputation over many years. They rely on referrals and repeat customers in order to survive. I only recommend those stores that have been in business for a number of years, have knowledgeable staff and use qualified and experienced installers.
Don't be an unhappy camper
I've been online helping consumers for over 24 years and I've received emails from many unhappy homeowners. They usually become alarmed by the lousy installation job provided by a Big Box store or nationally advertised carpet seller. They are frustrated because no one is willing to step up and accept responsibility for fixing their carpet problems.
I
never recommend retailers like these...
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Big Box or Home Improvement Warehouses
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Nationally Advertised Carpet Chains
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Ads for Next-Day Carpet Installation
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Offers of Free Carpet Installation
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Buy One Room, Get Two Rooms Free
Homeowners email me hoping I can help them get their carpet problems resolved. They are usually upset or angry about they way they have been treated. Unfortunately, for most homeowners it's already too late and the damage has been done. When they email me they often write something like...
"Every time I call Home Depot to ask for help they say they will call me right back... but they never do!" or... "I've been calling and trying to get someone from Empire to come out and take a look at my carpet problem for more than a month!"
The Carpet Blame Game
Even
if someone finally shows up to see what you are complaining about they may not be
willing to accept any responsibility. If you have kids or pets, they may blame
them for causing the problem. They may even blame you for not
taking proper care of your carpet.
If you've had your carpet cleaned recently, they may blame the carpet cleaning company for creating the problem. They might even blame your vacuum for being too old or too powerful.
No matter what they say, most consumers are not prepared for all the hoops they must jump through in order to get anyone to do anything about their carpet problem. It can takes months to get a remedy, if you get any remedy at all.
The best way to avoid this nightmare from happening to you is to buy from a local, reputable carpet store. If you ever have a problem they will go the extra mile to make things right! The Best and Worst Places to Buy New Carpet
The 3 Most Common Carpet Complaints:
1. Bad or Poor Quality Installation
It's hard to get qualified installation these days, especially when you buy from a "big box" carpet retailer. They have always had a hard time finding and keeping qualified carpet installers. Now they farm out all their installations to subcontractors, some good, some not so good.
When carpet is installed improperly the carpet will start to wrinkle, ripple or buckle in the main walkways, on stairs and down hallways. To fix the problem, all the furniture needs to be moved out again and the carpet needs to be re-stretched.
Unfortunately most carpet installation warranties expire after one year, so if you don't call and get it resolved within the first year you will have to pay to have the carpet re-stretched. Bad carpet installation can easily cost you hundreds in repairs and re-stretch fees and potentially cut the life span of your carpet in half.
2. Defective Carpet
Sometimes homeowners end up with a defective carpet. Usually it is a appearance issue where the color is lighter here and darker over there. Sometimes tufts are coming loose or the backing is defective.
In
this case, a representative from the carpet manufacturer will need to see your
carpet and determine if you qualify for any adjustment or correction. This
means you might get a partial in-store credit to have a portion of the carpet
replaced.
If you are lucky enough to get any credit at all you may still be responsible for paying for furniture moving and installation of the replacement carpet. Take another day off work, move furniture around and wait for the installers to show up.
Be
Advised: The
replacement carpet they provide may not quite match your existing carpet in
color or texture. There is not much you can do about it, as every roll of carpet
they make is a little bit different even though it is the exact same brand,
style and color. Should
I Buy Carpet from Home Depot, Costco, Empire or Lowe's?
3. Low Quality Carpet
The worst thing that can go wrong is when your carpet mats down and looks horrible, especially in the main traffic lanes, hallways and on stairs. The tufts were once soft, upright and fluffy. Now they are laying down flat as a pancake and look worn out.
You can clean, rake or vacuum all you want... but nothing will get those tuft to stand upright again! This means you have purchased a poor quality carpet, likely made from Polyester, or P.E.T. Polyester fiber, which is soft, and resists stains well but has very poor resiliency.
Did you pay a high price for low quality carpet? Carpets made with Polyester fibers are prone to matting and crushing of the pile and there is rarely any manufacturer warranty coverage for it.
If you bought from a locally-owned carpet shop, they may be able to help you resolve the situation, unless too much time has passed since the carpet was purchased. If you purchased from an unscrupulous nationally advertised carpet retailer or shop-at-home seller, then you are likely out of luck. Learn about Carpet Fibers
Have You Read Your New Carpet Warranty?
It amazes me to know how few actually read the manufacturer's carpet warranty. It certainly is an eye opener! Carpet warranties are worded in such a way that it practically takes an act of congress to substantiate a valid claim.
Homeowners are required to follow strict care and maintenance procedures or the warranty will be voided. This includes periodic cleanings, proper stain removal techniques, and selecting a carpet that is suitable for your application.
Simply put, you have to make sure you select a carpet that is designed to handle your level of foot traffic. If you don't, they will say you have abused your carpet and the warranty is null and void. Learn about Carpet Stain Warranties
Why Buy Carpet Locally?
Even if you do have a carpet problem or concern, you won't get the runaround from a local, reputable carpet dealer. They can't afford to have any unsatisfied customers. You are more than just a number to them. These are your neighbors who have built their longstanding business and reputation based on honesty, integrity and word-of-mouth advertising. They strive to provide first-class service and have a vested interest in your community.
Locally
owned carpet stores
hire and train local people who pay their fair share of state and
local taxes to help support your schools, maintain your roads and do so much
more for your community.
Your Key To Carpet Success
Not only must you acquire qualified carpet installation, you must also choose the right grade of carpet and padding too. Just as important is making sure you buy from an honest and reputable carpet and flooring dealer. These are the real secrets to choosing new carpet like a pro! See Who I Recommend Near You
