How to handle the fitted carpets deal
Be smart from the outset - get people on your side and have retailers falling over themselves to give you the best price. It's just psychology!
- Get quotes for EXACTLY the same specification
- If your supplier says "the price has to be more because...", ask exactly why. Go back to other suppliers and get an ammended comparison quote.
Winning suppliers must be responsible for their own final check
Insist the winning supplier checks the measurements if you made them - afterall, they would have come out to measure it first if you'd asked them.
Remember you will be responsible for short measurements if you do not insist
Why price is not the ONLY comparison
Deciding on price alone is not always the best policy. Sometimes it's sensible to take a price between the lowest and highest to get the best deal. It's reassuring to know your chosen supplier was close to the better prices.
A few things to consider when choosing a deal
- Will the supplier be responsible if the fitter makes a mistake?
- Will the supplier have facilities to store carpets safely until you are ready?
- Does the supplier have an established trading record?
(We will shortly be adding a page on dealing directly with fitters)
Never let a buyer/seller relationship become one of friction
You must NEVER get a firm to measure your job, then ask them for the plans or how many metres it will be. This is insulting to people who have taken the time and cost to visit you - other competing company's must spend their own time and petrol visiting you.
Don't put unreasonable pressure on for a cheaper price. Ask retailers if they "would like to quote?". Nobody is offended by honesty. Politely ask if that's their best price? Accept it graciously if it is - it's your perogative to choose another quote.
You can be almost "apologetic" as to the fact you're getting other prices, retailers appreciate honesty - and you all know nobody wants to attack anybody who is humble! (Just the "know it all types!")
Never try to get companies to do something you did not tell them needed doing, for example, taking the old carpets up. Always negotiate exactly what you want beforehand - don't try to be clever with this, pay the £20.00.
Play it right and you will get the best deal and still be friends with everybody afterwards. Next time you ask for a quote, you know they'll bend over backwards to give you the best deal.