6 Ways to Avoid Carpet Company Rip-Offs

Did you know the best defense against carpet company rip-off is knowledge? In today's economy there are cheats in this business just like any other. You've got to be aware of tactics disreputable businesses practice. When it comes time for you to buy new floor covering, doing a little research will help you avoid getting scammed. Seven tips to avoid rip-off artists. 1) Measure the room(s) you're planning to have carpeted. Installers may stretch the truth so their business can make more profit. If you know ahead of time how much you'll need, this rip-off can easily be avoided. Don't allow the installer to take the room measurements. You're only asking to pay for extra carpet. 2) Take a carpet sample home. Scammers have figured out how to cheat you by installing a cheaper carpet, which looks similar to the more expensive one you just paid for. The carpet sample will have the name, the grade and other important identifying information on it. Be sure to jot down all of this and compare it with the carpet that will be installed. 3) Buy correct padding. Make sure the installers don't "accidentally" install a cheaper padding which will void the carpet warranty. The wrong padding will cause the carpet to wear out more quickly. 4) Hide household valuables. No matter who the carpet retailer is, even if they laid the carpet throughout the governor's mansion, don't trust them. The best people can be tempted to steal. Be on the safe side and put away valuables such as jewelry, expensive electronics and artwork. 5) Do a check up with your Better Business Bureau on your carpet company installer before you buy the carpet. You don't want to deal with a company you can't find after installation if there's any sort of problem. 6) Fiber switch. A carpet company scammer will tell you your carpet is made of a stain-resistant fiber. But, three months down the road, you begin see surprising stains and spots. You call the company, and they try to blame it on your poor housekeeping when in actuality, they sold you one thing for another. Double check ahead of time, what's written on the carpet sample and on your invoice to ensure a match. If they don't, you'll have a good case for small claims court if needed. Voila! He just performed one of the oldest tricks of all time. He baited you and switched carpets. There's definitely a fine line between the bait and switch method used unscrupulously and a good loss leader. A reputable loss leader is used all the time nowadays to get you to come into such stores as grocery store chains. There's nothing wrong with this. It's when it uses a lie to entice you that it becomes a rip-off. Remember, your best defense is to do your homework ahead of time. This will go a long way to ensure you won't be scammed anytime soon.