Carpet Fitting - I have to pay the fitter separately - who is liable for faults?

Feeling_Blue

You need to check with the store. Some stores will ask you to pay the fitters once the job is done and you are happy with it, but you are still dealing with the store. The fitters are only collecting the money on their behalf. However, with Carpetright, I believe that you are paying the fitters direct and that any issue with the fitting will be down to them and not Carpetright. Please check very carefully. I should say that there are a great deal of good fitters at Carpetright and as with any business you only hear the horror stories and not the great many satisfied customer ones.

Stammers

I'd be interested on views on what to do with my current issue.....here it goes, and this is the shortened version!

Ordered a carpet in September along with sofas so got the "free carpet" deal......onlymy room was too big so had to pay more, PLUS underlay, grippers etc. Ok, so I accept all that. Anyway I could not decide in Store between two shades so asked to see samples brought by the surveyor, then I'd make my decision when I saw them in the actual room. (Bear in mind I've also had to go to the store as well as several calls as the sales chap couldn't add up and had undercharged me)

Surveyor comes out, I choose the carpet. Fitting date sorted. Day comes carpet half laid when I go to check and ITS THE WRONG ONE. Ring up STRAIGHT away. Told would ring back. They ring, admit to an admin error new one will be sorted. When it's fully laid there's also faults/gaps in it where there has not been enough weave. Three weeks later STILL nothing. I ring. Chap has gone on holiday and not even ordered it! I can keep the current if I want....errrr no! Told It's ordered. Fitting date for 17th December. Week before I'm told this is not possible. Manufacturers have closed for Xmas so earliest date is 9th February! I ring on 6th February and am told all good. Get a call on the 8th. NO CARPET IN! They say they'll ring the next day. They ring and say discontinued. Nothing they can do. Go to store, where they then try ringing round to see if can get anywhere( surely this should have already been done). After I say I'm very upset I'm told to "get it in Perspective as it's only a big rug". I choose another and go home. They call and say the one I've picked is too expensive and I'll have to pay more money! Or they'll rip up the one that is down and give a refund.
I have spoken to the manager who is "prepared " to send out a surveyor to look at the faults in the current one and bring some samples...... This being MY SUGGESTION at a possible solution. I am going to issue legal proceedings against the store as currently I have the wrong carpet, which is also faulty with gaps and they want more money from me to get a new one!! Surely I deserve more than all this.

I will NEVER use SCS again or recommend them. I am so upset. It is on-going. Customer services wont deal with it as it is a store issue. I've no where to go or complain to and the store just dont give a damn.

thescouselander

Why not send the whole lot back, including the sofas, and go somewhere that doesn't mess you about.

82much

Very few carpet shops actually employ full time fitters and chains definitely don't but a decent shop takes the fitting payment and therefore is fully responsible for the work. Most private businesses will be cheaper than the chains with like-for-like. Chains 'look' cheaper but add everything on later and work out a lot more expensive. Buying a sofa and getting a 'free' carpet!! Nobody can charge a fair price and give something free. Just like 50% off! Some companies con customers all the time with this type of advertising and unfortunately people keep falling for it.

wallbash

Most private businesses will be cheaper than the chains with like-for-like.

A sweeping statement, do your homework, compare ALL places and just focus on the bottom line.

MadelinesMum

I had the same happen. I asked at the shop if I could pay it all at once and was told if I paid the shop for the fitter then I'd have to pay VAT on the fitting costs. I expect they weren't really supposed to tell me that!

DSmiffy

The fitters will be sub-contracted to the store, if you paid the store and they paid the fitters, they would be seen as employed by the store. Then follows, tax, sick pay, holiday pay etc.
The fitters are self employed and get the work through the stores.
hence you pay the fitter direct.
Perhaps you should just take delivery of the carpet and advise you will source your own fitter to lay the carpet.
That way, you can employ a fitter who is recommended to you by others and have a better idea of his standard of work.