Here are some tips that you might want to try out.
Buying your carpet is just the tip of the iceberg. Many stores add certain hidden costs to your final carpet costs.
Be clear with your goals. Let the salesperson know what you want and how much you are happy to spend. Tell him or her that you will give your final purchase decision based on the following:
- Whether the carpet blends well with the room you’re installing it in
- Whether you think the carpet gives you great value for your money
Oftentimes, stores will offer you a free measuring service. Avoid getting trapped into buying a carpet by making it clear that agreeing to accept their free offer doesn’t require you to commit to a purchase.
The final cost of the carpet includes various other materials such as fitting, grippers and the underlay. When you are getting a quote, be sure to ask the store to list down each item on the bill. This will help you analyze for which item you can save more money. Also, if you are just replacing your old carpet, consider “recycling” your old grippers and underlay. Try to check if they can still do their job; otherwise, replace them.
Carpets come in various colors that are oftentimes hard to distinguish from one another despite the fact that they come with different names. While you’re scouting for colors, it’s not unlikely that you’ll find two similar carpet shades but with considerably different prices. For instance, one costs $14.99 while the other one costs $30.00. Go for the cheaper one. Sometimes, you’ll be surprised that the level of quality never really matches up with the price.
Loyalty has its rewards. If you decide to return to the store for additional supplies or to finalize your order, always speak with the same salesperson. Especially if they’ve been nice to you.
Never accept the first price they offer you. You’ll be surprised at how much room for manoeuvering and negotiating there is. When they ask you if you can make a final decision today, it usually means you can still negotiate your way to a better deal. For instance, you could say, “If you include the rods and the fitting for free, I’ll buy it right now!”.
Once you have your carpet, the next thing you need to worry about is the carpet installation cost. About 90% of the cost of installing a carpet falls on labor. So if you’ve got the charm, you can negotiate your way to getting the best deal.