Did you know? Buying carpet is the third most expensive consumer purchase. The Buying Carpet section of the Carpet Buyers Handbook addresses a number of consumer questions, when shopping for carpet.  Carpet benefits, carpet myths, how to budget for carpet, carpet cushion selection, where to buy carpet, questions to ask when buying carpet, carpet warranty issues, and carpet color selection are each discussed in detail.  For questions related to Carpet R-value, acoustics, and safety issue visit our carpet benefits tab. For carpet myths, such as Kawasaki Syndrome, carpet allergies, and carpet chemical emissions visit our Carpet Myths section.  For carpet measuring for installation, visit budgeting for carpet.

Buying Carpet       

Buying carpet is the third most expensive purchase the average homeowner will make.  Purchasing carpet ranks behind the purchase of a home and a new car as the most common and most expensive single purchases in dollar  

terms.  While most purchasers carefully consider the current condition, anticipated life, anticipated repairs, the cost of maintenance, resell value etc. in the purchase of a home or new automobile, the primary decision in the purchase of new carpet typically rests with color and whether it will match the sofa or wallpaper.  

For most consumers, carpet is a blind item in which the purchase decision weighs heavily on the salesperson’s recommendations.  Little does the consumer know that the salesperson may have been selling TV’s or washing machines two weeks prior.  In addition, most retail carpet salespeople take the path of least resistance during the sales presentation.  They tend to lead the consumer to products that other consumers have purchased in the past or they search for a product with a color line that offers the specific color that a consumer is seeking.  After much deliberation as to specific color or a specific shade, the consumer plunks down a 50% down payment and waits for the happy day to arrive when the carpet is to be delivered.

When the happy day arrives, the installers show up three hours late and take two days longer to install the carpet than promised. The happy day begins to sour.  One month following the carpet installation, the visible seams that were supposed to disappear are still noticeable and the coffee spill beside the sofa has permanently stained the “stain-proof” carpet.  The traffic lanes have begun to change in texture and the new owner is certain the carpet is beginning to “wear” so the retailer is called to inspect the carpet.  The salesperson is now selling TV’s again, but the store manager assures that someone will be out to inspect the carpet.  After four weeks have passed, no one has been out to examine the carpet, so the store manager is again called and he explains they are waiting on a factory representative to travel into the area to make the inspection.  Four weeks later, the manager is again contacted and he explains that a factory rep will be in the area in two weeks.

This web site has been designed to educate the consumer in the differences between perceived and actual value.  It will guide them through the selection process and inform them of carpet installation traps.  Fiber systems and construction will be explained in detail.  It will provide insight in dealing with product claims and provide suggestions in best handling these situations.  Indoor air quality, allergens, and carpet cleaning suggestions will be discussed and hopefully this handbook will become a useful reference guide in spot removal (carpet stain removal) and regular carpet care.  After reviewing this web site and studying its content, the average consumer should be better informed than the average retail salesperson selling the product.  While not every obstacle can be predicted, a good understanding of the product and intended performance can create real expectations rather than disappointments.