Carpet Insurance, we didnt ask for it!

lindos90

Had a quote for carpet, underlay and fitting for 4 rooms, being an MSEr I asked if there was any negotiation/discount possible because of the size of the order, so they knocked abit off and I ordered and paid for the carpet.

Then I get a certificate of insurance from 'homeserve insurance' in the post, saying I have signed up for a 5 year warranty.

There was no mention of this when we ordered and paid for the carpet, speaking to the man who sold us the carpet, he says that they 'massaged' the figures to give us a discount, and added the insurance to 'round off' the quote!

He says that although its not compulsary, all customers tend to take the insurance (I expect they do if its just added to the quote without being told about it!) He says as we agreed to the quote, which included the insurance, (even though we were unaware it did), that there is not a possibility of a refund.

Anyone have a similar experience?

4743hudsonj

No, it does sound underhand and maybe you can mention it to Trading standards.

But to be fair if you agreed to the price thinking you hadnt got a warranty, think of it as a freebie......

Equaliser123

lindos90 wrote: »

Had a quote for carpet, underlay and fitting for 4 rooms, being an MSEr I asked if there was any negotiation/discount possible because of the size of the order, so they knocked abit off and I ordered and paid for the carpet.

Then I get a certificate of insurance from 'homeserve insurance' in the post, saying I have signed up for a 5 year warranty.

There was no mention of this when we ordered and paid for the carpet, speaking to the man who sold us the carpet, he says that they 'massaged' the figures to give us a discount, and added the insurance to 'round off' the quote!

He says that although its not compulsary, all customers tend to take the insurance (I expect they do if its just added to the quote without being told about it!) He says as we agreed to the quote, which included the insurance, (even though we were unaware it did), that there is not a possibility of a refund.

Anyone have a similar experience?

You requested a quote, negotiated, accepted and paid.

Where is the issue?

lindos90

My issue is that I asked for the best price they could give me for carpet and fitting, we didnt ask for any insurance, they didnt ask if we wanted insurance, they just added it. (This is a money saving forum isnt it?).

Yes they did give some discount, but not as much as they could have done, as the cost of the extended warranty is over 10% of the total cost of the carpet! We have accidental damage on our house insurance, we dont need extra insurance for the carpet (and looking at the cover, its not even that comprehensive or detailed on what it covers anyway!)

The carpets cost around £830, the warranty cost almost £90, and the certificate says it covers 'up to the purchace price of £120', so if we ever did need to make a claim, it wouldnt cover the cost of a replacement anyway! Who would willingly pay £90 to cover £120..its crazy!

Esqui

For any extended warranties, you should have a 45-day cancellation period (I think this is law, someone feel free to correct me ) in which you can get a full refund.

I may well be wrong.

mandi

Give H/O a call make an official complaint , threaten them with standards if they refuse an immediate refund .:)

lindos90

Thanks for the replies, the terms and conditions on the back of the certificate do say I can cancel within 14 days of reciept of the certificate and get my money back, but this has to be done at the shop where I bought the carprt, not with the warranty company. However the salesman at the shop refuses to accept this applies in our case, im guessing they are stalling to get past the 14 days?

I'll call the manager today and see what their opinion is on this.

Hintza

If you think they are stalling send them a recorded letter detailing your wish to cancel it and then you at least have some proof.

Equaliser123

lindos90 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, the terms and conditions on the back of the certificate do say I can cancel within 14 days of reciept of the certificate and get my money back, but this has to be done at the shop where I bought the carprt, not with the warranty company. However the salesman at the shop refuses to accept this applies in our case, im guessing they are stalling to get past the 14 days?

I'll call the manager today and see what their opinion is on this.

It's a tricky one as you may find the cost of the carpet and fitting goes up....

lindos90

Equaliser123 wrote: »

It's a tricky one as you may find the cost of the carpet and fitting goes up....

That would be so funny wouldnt it!:rotfl:

Ive been looking in more detail at the paperwork, and it looks like the cover is only for 17 square meters of carpet, so I'll be asking which part of which room is covered!

Does look like they did simply use it to round up the quote as he says, and the waranty is quite worthless in itself.

DVardysShadow

lindos90 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, the terms and conditions on the back of the certificate do say I can cancel within 14 days of reciept of the certificate and get my money back, but this has to be done at the shop where I bought the carprt, not with the warranty company. However the salesman at the shop refuses to accept this applies in our case, im guessing they are stalling to get past the 14 days?

I'll call the manager today and see what their opinion is on this.

lindos90 wrote: »

That would be so funny wouldnt it!:rotfl:

Ive been looking in more detail at the paperwork, and it looks like the cover is only for 17 square meters of carpet, so I'll be asking which part of which room is covered!

Does look like they did simply use it to round up the quote as he says, and the waranty is quite worthless in itself.

Yes, you would have a real problem with this insurance if ever you did claim. Now it looks to me as if the salesman is trying to get a commission or claim some kind of incentive off your backs.

I would in your position, go back again with a witness with a letter asking to cancel the insurance and hand this to the salesman - or the manager. Keep a copy. Note down any refusal and take the name of the person refusing. If you do this within the 14 days you can relax a bit, taking the matter to head office and trading standards.