Carpet Salesmen - Like Car Dealers?

[Allblackdup]

We've got one coming round to measure and price up new carpet on our stairs. Its only a small 2 bed semi so landing and hall are pretty much the same size. Friend of mine recently got really good prices on new carpet and recommended the shop to us. I rang up enquiring about their current prices (currently got 75% off) and queried how to measure the stairs. The fella offered a free measure and valuation, so gonna see what he says.

My question to you lot is, am i able to turn down the first price and see if they will go lower and almost haggle, like you would over a car??, or is it a case of one price and that's it?

He said stair carpet is something like £4 per square inch.

Any carpet salesmen/fitters here? Any advice before he arrives at 11am tomorrow?

Cheers

Gaz

[mouk786]

i tried it with a couple of guys but none of them would budge - one only offered to pricematch.

give it a go by all means tho.

[MikeyT]

£4 per square inch? I'd check that!

Yes, just a sharp intake of breath and a look at the missus when he gives you the price and a mention tht you've got their biggest competitior in town coming round in the afternoon may see him knock a fe quid off - they'll be desperate for the business and turnover in the current economic situation ...

Just say: "Is there any movement on that?" Don't ask, you don't get ...

[johnfm]

£4 a square yard you mean, don't you. You can get cheap 100% wool nutral carpet for about £8-£10/sq meter. Allow £3/sq metre for underlay and £2.5o/sq metre for fitting.

[schmalex]

Definitely negotiate! There is huge profit in carpeting.

[jamoor]

see if there are any asian run carpet shops nearby, they tend to be cheaper.

[Allblackdup]

Thanks guys! Will definately give it a go! yes, sorry i meant per square yard.

Regards other things like underlay, i haven't checked whether out stairs has this, but if not, do i need it?

[schmalex]

Allblackdup said:

Thanks guys! Will definately give it a go! yes, sorry i meant per square yard.

Regards other things like underlay, i haven't checked whether out stairs has this, but if not, do i need it?

Yes. Don't even think about laying the carpet without underlay - it will feel horrible.

[Fort Jefferson]

johnfm said:

£4 a square yard you mean, don't you. You can get cheap 100% wool nutral carpet for about £8-£10/sq meter. Allow £3/sq metre for underlay and £2.5o/sq metre for fitting.

I've been a carpet estimator for 33 years, An all wool natural carpet is the last thing you want on stairs, especialy one that is only £10sm. An underlay for £3sm will also be crap. Don't shop anywhere that claims 70% off, it is utter bullst.

[Fort Jefferson]

schmalex said:

Definitely negotiate! There is huge profit in carpeting.

Is there? tell me, if I, as a retailer, buy a carpet for £20sm, how much do I add on, and sell it for retail?

[caterhamboy]

Been through the same thing only last wk, did all the big player shops, who don't even seem interested at all, how they keep those massive retail outfits going with only two staff on i will never know. Ended up going to a shabby little outfit in not the best part of town and chap who was the owner couldn't have been more helpful. he knocked off 10% off what was already a very sharp price. Carpet fitted last wk no fuss and very pleased with it, the fitter who is freelance and works for the big players as well said the indy does more than any of them and is known for doing the best deals in the trade. they all get there carpet off him when doing foreigners. shop around and go independent i say.

Edited by caterhamboy on Friday 24th October 23:40

Edited by caterhamboy on Friday 24th October 23:41

[Allblackdup]

Thanks guys. The salesman is due about 11, so i'm just going to see what price he comes up with and take a note of the measurements. We've got a local carpet place just round the corner, which i've always imagined being quite expensive, but i may give them a bell this afternoon.

[Wacky Racer]

schmalex said:

Yes. Don't even think about laying the carpet without underlay - it will feel horrible.

Especially on stairs.....don't skimp on the underlay........

[raf_gti]

Fort Jefferson said:

johnfm said:

£4 a square yard you mean, don't you. You can get cheap 100% wool nutral carpet for about £8-£10/sq meter. Allow £3/sq metre for underlay and £2.5o/sq metre for fitting.

I've been a carpet estimator for 33 years, An all wool natural carpet is the last thing you want on stairs, especialy one that is only £10sm. An underlay for £3sm will also be crap. Don't shop anywhere that claims 70% off, it is utter bullst.

Oooo thread hijack alert

What carpet would you recommend for a hallway in a 3 bed semi that is tough enough to withstand four dogs, easily cleanable and still has a certain 'luxury' about it?

Oh and it has to be cheap

[Fort Jefferson]

raf_gti said:

What carpet would you recommend for a hallway in a 3 bed semi that is tough enough to withstand four dogs, easily cleanable and still has a certain 'luxury' about it?

Oh and it has to be cheap

Something from Abingdons stainfree range. It's not going to cost the earth and will wear well, look at Stainfree heather? or Stainfree twist if you want dead plain. There are hundreds of carpets like these but this is a name you are likely to find.

[Olf]

Fort Jefferson said:

raf_gti said:

What carpet would you recommend for a hallway in a 3 bed semi that is tough enough to withstand four dogs, easily cleanable and still has a certain 'luxury' about it?

Oh and it has to be cheap

Something from Abingdons stainfree range. It's not going to cost the earth and will wear well, look at Stainfree heather? or Stainfree twist if you want dead plain. There are hundreds of carpets like these but this is a name you are likely to find.

John,

We're looking at some carpet at the moment also. We need about 120 square meters for hall, landing, stairs, lounge and two of the bedrooms. We're looking at a john lewis carpet which is 29.00 a meter and underlay at 6.75 a meter. Total price is just shy of 5k.

It's a 80% wool 20% nylon and claims to be for extra heavy home use. It's tufted. It looks a lot like victoria carpets 'duchess elite'.

any comments on that lot or are we going the right way?

[Allblackdup]

Update - Well, what a waste of time! The salesman was supposed to be arriving around 11am and obv its now just gone 12! Rang them and the guy said, i know he's out on a couple of calls, i'll chase him up. Explained that they were recommended and if this is what their service is like, i'll look elsewhere. He rang back and said the guys at another house and will be another hour!!!! I'm fuming!!!!

There's an independent carpet place locally, so i'm going to pop in there and have a chat with someone.

Fort Jefferson - Is there an easy way of measuring the stairs without wasting any more time waiting to see if a salesman turns up?

Cheers

Gaz

Edited by Allblackdup on Saturday 25th October 12:06

[Fort Jefferson]

Allblackdup said:

Fort Jefferson - Is there an easy way of measuring the stairs without wasting any more time waiting to see if a salesman turns up?

If the landing and hall are square and the stairs are stright, yes. Measure the length and width of the landing, the length being the distance over the nose and riser down to the first step. Count the stairs (normally 12) give me the width, then measure the hall with the length being the direction away from the stairs. Post the sizes, tell me if it's going to be plain carpet and I'll give you an idea of square metres.

Edited by Fort Jefferson on Saturday 25th October 12:55

[KJR]

Fort Jefferson said:

An all wool natural carpet is the last thing you want on stairs

Why not an all wool natural carpet on stairs ?

[Kickstart]

It is worth getting another firm to come and estimate as amazingly the cheapest firms seem to think that you need another 10m2 or so for the same job.