Buying carpet at wholesale price

FTB-FTW

Hi all

Tempted by the CarpetRight sale, my other half and I have been spurred into action to buy some new carpet for our hallway, which has an old 70s number at the moment and we've been wanting to spruce it up since moving in.

As the sale ends today, we are wondering whether it is worth taking advantage (it's quite a good deal on the surface; many are around 60% off) but I think we'd be compromising a little bit on what we would ideally want. We are looking for something quite natural in appearance, something in a Berber or sisal weave style and I still prefer the range at somewhere like Victoria Carpets which tends to be sold by independents and would cost us about £10 more per square meter at RRP. Carpetright has some similar stuff, but it all looks a bit less well put-together to me - perhaps I'm wrong but it doesn't have the same appeal as what I've seen elsewhere.

What I'm now thinking is that the best route might be wholesale if we can find what we like somewhere online. I have now found sites that do carpets I think would look good (100% wool, similar styles to the ones I've seen in indie shops) that are selling at as low as £9.99 per sq m (e.g. this one) and am wondering if there is a major downside to this method of buying carpet. Also, if anyone else here has done it are there any you'd particularly recommend? I realise we'd have to get our own fitter in but that should not be a massive problem.

Any suggestions v welcome - we need to make a decision today and I don't want to rush into it unless it's definitely worth it!

Hintza

Go to decent independent shop. Don't fall for the 60% off trick (they will also hammer you on underlay and grippers). Buy your underlay online good stuff will be a fifth of what the shed want to charge you.

FTB-FTW

Thanks Hintza, I had a feeling that might be the case but if we want to avoid the higher costs at independents, might wholesale still be our best option? Or would you expect indies vs. chains to work out about the same if you factor in all the extras?

FTB-FTW

Hintza wrote: »

Buy your underlay online good stuff will be a fifth of what the shed want to charge you.

That's also a really good piece of advice. I don't know which underlay is good or bad, so could you point me towards any that sell the good stuff affordably? Thanks!

Hintza

We were about £30m2 laid (all grippers etc). I took their underlay out and bought slightly better stuff a bit cheaper.

Carpet:- Pownall Comfort Twist EXTRA (3 weights extra being the heaviest)

HEAVENLY 10mm High Density Carpet Underlay (BUY - Roll (= £36.90)
http://www.carpet-underlays.co.uk

So all in we were about £2,400 for 70m2 of carpet.

Remember depending on how the floor is you might need a bit more carpet I had a long chat with them on why I needed about 15m2 more but to get it to work he was absolutely correct.

I am sure I might have a got it all a bit cheaper. But I like to find someone who talks straight with no bull (always handy when they tell you your ideas are nuts, like most of mine). Not so much with the carpet but with my wooden floor downstairs I annoyed the bloke for about a year before I bought from him, by the time I was finished he was very frank with me .

Hintza

Do you really want a Berber? If you have animals (esp a cat) I would suggest not.

FTB-FTW

Hintza wrote: »

Do you really want a Berber? If you have animals (esp a cat) I would suggest not.

I'm very keen on how they look and think they are hard-wearing but it's possible I could be persuaded otherwise if I could get a similar 'look and feel' with another varierty.

Are they really so bad with cats? Is this to do with their claws getting stuck in them?

Hintza

FTB-FTW wrote: »

Are they really so bad with cats? Is this to do with their claws getting stuck in them?

Yes you will end up with runs (like in stockings) and the cat WILL do it. But it is each to their own and I just prefer the twist.

Whatever you buy ensure you have all the costs inclusive and if you decide on the shed check who the fitter works for (he might be self employed and you will have no comeback via the shop even though they will imply he is employed by them).

Good luck.