can an estimate become binding?

imabadpixie

Hi all, I had an estimate done by carpet right two weeks ago for approx £700 I accepted this quote, gave them my credit card details to take payment and was told that I'd get a call when the carpet was in stock in 5-10 working days. I had a call today from the guy who did the estimate saying he was sorry but he had messed up and had only calculated based on one bedroom rather than 3, the cost is now £1,400. Do I have any grounds to get them to agree to original price? I know estimates are not legally binding but did this changed when I accepted and paid?

Thanks!!

ritesh

Unfortunately, no! It is, and always was, an estimate.

warwicktiger

Is it a written quote without any provisos such as e&oe ? (Errors and omissions excepted)

If it is an estimate (your post is contradictory) then forget it, if it is a hard written quote then it is their problem.

Mark_Mark

warwicktiger wrote: »

Is it a written quote without any provisos such as e&oe ? (Errors and omissions excepted)

If it is an estimate (your post is contradictory) then forget it, if it is a hard written quote then it is their problem.

Can you force them to do it at a loss?

cattie

If I were you I'd write to head office & complain as this sales persons error has mislead you, even if unintentionally. Usually with an estimate, you expect it to be an approx figure & perhaps have to pay a bit more, but not double the price of the estimate. Perhaps you'll be lucky & they will offer you the carpet at a much lower price as an apology & good customer service.

If not, get your money back & do yourself a favour & shop elsewhere, preferably an independent retailer. I'm looking for new carpets myself at the moment & believe you me, they can work out much cheaper than these huge carpet chains with their fake half price or 60/70% off prices. Also the service is much better.

Most of the carpets sold by Carpet right & the like are known by names that are different to the names that manufactures give them, this is so you don't find it so easy to do price comparisons elsewhere.

However, if you have time to spare & do a bit of internet searching, you'll find sites where carpet/flooring professionals will happily give the alternative name of the carpet to help you track it down elsewhere.

booty40uk

" I had an estimate done by carpet right two weeks ago for approx £700 I accepted this quote"


Contradiction.


An estimate is to give you a rough idea only. Admittedly, this guy got it badly wrong and may well be trying it on (or he is a complete idiot). But at the end of the day it is an estimate and nothing more.

shays_mum

Carpetright are horrendous, they are not only hideously overpriced, but their customer services are horrendous.

I know of 2 cases personally where they measured rooms wrong & tried to overcharge people.

I really thought the independents would be expensive, however there are plenty of recommendations on this site where people have got really good deals, with named brands on carpets & underlay.

In the end i went onto the National Federation of Carpet Layers website. I contacted one of their London master layers (i already knew i wanted a cormar sensations 60oz carpet with decent named underlay) who came in atleast £600 cheaper than the cheapest online all in.

He was really professional & came to the house with samples, explained all the pros & cons of carpet types & measured up properly.

Here's hoping you have a positive experience with carpetright as i don't know anyone who has

Goodluck!

imabadpixie

Thanks everyone. Sorry I realise I did contradict myself. The paper I have says estimate at the top and the aim of my question was to establish whether an estimate turns into a quote when you agree to pay. Looks like this is understandably not the case. I will however pursue as some has suggested as it is somewhat shoddy customer service to double an estimate. I am actually more annoyed that its taken 2 weeks for them to tell me and no carpet has been ordered.
I had used carpet right before and had a good experience but will absolutely not accept the new estimate if they were unwilling to budge at all. You'd think they're have at least soften the blow by offering a cursory discount of some kind!!!

lstar337

I would like to see them justify doubling the estimate in court.

I would tell them to rip up their carpet and **** off, or drop the price to something sensible. Their mistake, you shouldn't pay for it.

System

It really depends on the details of the estimate too,
Does it say

"Estimate £700 for everything"

or does it say

"Estimate £700 for x m2 of carpet fitted"

or does it have any other detail on it?

DaftyDuck

lstar337 wrote: »

I would like to see them justify doubling the estimate in court.

I would tell them to rip up their carpet and **** off, or drop the price to something sensible. Their mistake, you shouldn't pay for it.

I don't think it's fitted yet!

First thing I'd do is get quotes quickly from an inde carpet fitter, to see what ballpark cost there is from them. Then, knowing what room there is to negotiate, back to Carpetrippoff and say how disappointed you are, can they meet the original estimate, can they meet you half way, how about they carpet the garage for free... whatever... But, ask for something. If you still get a better deal from the indie, ship yourself off there!