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Choosing New Carpet Wisely
©2008 Alan J. Fletcher - Consumer Advocate
Buying new carpet anytime soon? Carpet prices have increased dramatically in the past few years making it a major homeowner expense. In order to save money and get the job done right the first time you need to make wise choices. Otherwise you stand to lose thousands and end up with a carpet that you are unhappy with. In order to be completely satisfied with your carpet purchase you need to consider the following:
- Appearance - Select a carpet style and color that you like.
- Quality -Choose a carpet will meet your needs and goals and last as long as you expect.
- Cost -Select a carpet priced within your budget.
- Maintenance -Select a carpet that will resist stains and clean easily.
- Value -Determine if you are getting a fair and square deal.
How do you accomplish all this?
- You must know how to select a carpet that will meet your needs, goals and lifestyle.
- You must choose the correct padding type, thickness and density.
- You must buy from a reputable carpet dealer with knowledgeable salespeople who will provide good service and reasonable prices.
- You must obtain proper installation.
Smart shoppers can save hundreds.
When buying new carpet, consumers usually get what they pay for as long as they buy from a reputable dealer. Inexpensive carpet & padding is poorly made and is not designed to last very long. But consumers often believe that the higher the cost, the longer a carpet will last. This is not always true The more you spend on carpet the higher your risk of being scammed.
Selecting the right carpet
The carpet samples you see at the carpet store will all look and feel great, but once installed in your home you will discover the truth. Some carpets mat down and look horrible within a year or two, depending on how they are constructed. Appearances are deceiving, you can’t tell if a carpet will last a long time just by looking at it. You need to know how to interpret the carpet specifications. This includes the carpet fiber type, tuft twist, pile height, pile density and face-weight. Carpet padding also has specifications that are important to consider. I can help you choose your next carpet and padding wisely.
Where not to shop for carpet
Depending on where you live, you may have limited choices as to where you can conveniently shop for new carpet for your home. In rural areas, there are usually fewer choices and you may need to drive to a more populated area to have more choices and better options. In larger cities there are plenty of carpet retailers to choose from, but not all carpet retailers are reasonably priced.
Bad advice
Consumers often rely on the advice of carpet salespeople. But many retailers hire salespeople who are not sufficiently experienced and because they lack fundamental carpet knowledge and experience consumers don’t get the correct answers necessary to make wise and informed carpet choices. I can provide you with honest and accurate answers to all your carpet buying questions.
Poor installation
Another huge problem carpet stores have is finding qualified carpet installers. Installed wrong, your carpet can lose half its life span. It is your responsibility to make sure your carpet is installed correctly. You need to know a little bit about how carpet is installed. Why? Because if they do a poor installation job you need to be able to recognize it and take necessary steps to have the problem corrected as quickly as possible. I can tell you all you need to know about carpet installation and what problems to watch out for.
Private Labeling
Many carpet dealers have their own private labels to confuse you. They change the style and color names of the carpets and place their own labels on them so you can’t shop around. If you find a carpet you like at one store, you can't just call a different carpet store to see what their price would be for the exact same carpet. You need to learn how to overcome private labeling scams and comparison shop for the best deal.
The Solution
Finding a fair deal on new carpet is harder than ever because unscrupulous carpet dealers take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. There are still plenty of reputable carpet stores, but you need to know more than just where to shop, you need to know what carpet and pad is right for you. I can help you with all that and help you save a bundle too. Take advantage of my 30+ years of carpet buying experience in my instant download ebook, "The 2008 Complete Carpet Buying Guide." Inside, you will find everything you need to know about buying carpet wisely including the best places to buy carpet, how to determine if the price you are quoted is a good price and how to avoid common carpet scams. Visit my website for free carpet buying information.
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Carpet choices, carpet selection, choosing the right carpet, carpet styles, carpet cost, carpet installation
The 2008 Complete
Carpet Buying Guide
