Carpet "Bait and Switch"
Scams
By
Alan
Fletcher - Carpet Expert & Consumer Advocate
The
Carpet Bait
and switch scam is a simple but easy scam to get away with, it's where the
customer orders a carpet of a certain face weight and density, and a lesser
grade or quality is delivered. Many carpet styles come in several grades where it is
difficult to tell them apart.
For
example, there may be three face-weights available in a certain carpet style
like 38, 40 and 42 ounces. The carpet salesperson may show you the 42-ounce carpet
and then deliver the 38-ounce carpet thinking you will never know the
difference. The salesperson then can make more commission on the sale
because the cost is less for the lower face-weight carpet.
There is
only one sure-fire way to guard against this common carpet scam, and that is
to keep the original carpet sample until your new carpet arrives and check
them side by side when they deliver your new carpet.
Some
carpet dealers won't let you keep the carpet sample more than a few days, if
at all. They may say that it is their only sample and they need it to show
other customers who are interested in seeing it. If this is the case with
your carpet dealer, you have to decide if you want to buy carpet from them and take
the risk of becoming the next victim of the Bait and Switch
scam.
Just so
you know, the carpet sample and the actual carpet that the manufacturer
delivers to you may not be exactly the same. There can be some color
variances and some slight differences in the feel or look of the carpet.
This is normal and should be expected. Don't freak out if there are some
minor differences, but if there are obvious differences in the weight, color
or texture, you should not allow them to install the carpet until you are
completely satisfied that this is the same carpet that you ordered.
After
looking at dozens of colors many homeowners become dazed and confused. It's
quite common for some homeowners to forget what color they ordered by the
time their new carpet actually arrives. It may take several weeks for your new carpet to
arrive from the mill and many homeowners aren't sure what color they
actually ordered. This is why it is very important to write down all the
specifications about the carpet you ordered, the style name, color number,
face-weight, and anything else that is shown on the label.
The
same holds true for the padding you order. You need to know the type, style,
thickness and density of the pad you ordered. That way there can be no
confusion when the actual pad shows up to be installed.
More
Carpet
Information:
The
History of Carpet
In-Home
Carpet Scams
The
Bait and Switch Scam
(You are here)
Measuring
Scams
How
to Choose Carpet
Determine
Your Level of Foot Traffic
Carpet
Fibers 1 Nylon and Olefin
Carpet
Fibers 2
Polyester and Sorona®
Alan's
Preferred
Carpet Dealer Directory
The
2009 Complete Carpet Buying Guide
