Empire Carpet Consumer Reviews - Page 8

We knew we were in trouble as soon as we all sat down because we were forced to get a history lesson on Empire when all we wanted was a carpet and install quote. We were held prisoner in our own home (unless we wanted to be rude) while he spewed his sales pitch, and spew he did, sending spittle into the air. When the first words out of your mouth are showcasing all your awards we became suspicious. Why is this necessary? Doesn't your workmanship speak for itself?

We found out later why because he gave us this outrageous quote of $3100 for ~ 350 sq ft of room, next quote was what Empire could provide it for at $2100 but if we signed TONIGHT, we could get it for ~$1300. By producing the first quote you think you are getting the deal of a lifetime, but the caveat is that you HAVE to sign a contract that night or else the deal is off the table. When we did not fold to his sales pressure he got mad and defensive claiming he would not be back as it costs $350 for him to even come out. He tried to guilt us into signing by saying Empire would not do business with us otherwise. What a awful sales approach.

I work for a sales oriented company and our guys cold call all the time. It is the nature of the business and if we ever tried to bully a customer into buying from us we would never get through the front door again. Your deal or no deal tactic will not work in this economy. Bully sales tactics don't work. He also claimed the commercials do not say anything is free, "pay for this room and got this room and this room for free" is not what they say. Really? I am complaining here, to them and to Better Business Bureau.

I was in need of a new window covering on a large picture window in my living room. I had a shade that finally gave up after many years and after research, decided to go with a vertical blind. I saw an ad for Empire Carpets on window coverings. I visited the website and found that they do handle vertical blinds. I called and they made an appointment for the following day.

The salesperson showed up late, and gave me a rather substantial quote of $875 for a basic vertical for a window 126 X 56. No next day installation as they claim, as it takes two weeks, which I thought was probably the case. As this was my first estimate, I was shopping around. The salesperson was very pushy when I told him that this was my first estimate and that I wanted others before I made a decision. He told me to put the order in, and that I could cancel it if I found a cheaper quote.

They also said that Empire would beat any quote I received which led me to believe right away that it was overpriced. The written quote had no dimensions on it, and I also asked for a price on another window in the area, in the dining area. That had no dimensions on the so called "quote" only a price. I thanked the salesperson, but they kept repeating that he can make a phone call and Empire will beat other quotes. I did not feel comfortable with this person.

I went to a local store that handles paint, flooring and window coverings that I had used in the past and they gave me a quote of $360 for the same verticals, including installation. Yes, it would take two weeks for the vertical to be ordered and made. Less than half of what Empire wanted and the salesperson at this local establishment was not pushy, only wanted a third down and even suggested getting other estimates. (I did have another estimate and it was higher, $500, but still cheaper than Empire).

I immediately gave a deposit and my verticals are on their way... The local store even took measurements for the other window and the order is ready to go, when my budget allows.. just one phone call. Oh, and the salesperson from Empire kept asking about floor coverings, even though I told him that the carpeting and floor covering in the kitchen area was new and provided by my landlord and I was very satisfied with what I have. Stay away from Empire... Shop around!

I live in Cleveland, OH and we recently had an Empire Carpet Salesmen out for an estimate. It was a small job, and we had received a couple of other estimated previously in the $450 - $550 range. Empire did have the carpet we desired, but their initial estimate was $1100 much to our shock. I said "thanks, you're not even in the ballpark though." Well that was "list price" he said, and got it down to $860 or so. Still too high, so he calls a manager and gets it down to the $750 range. Still high, so he calls manager back and gets the "best they can do" which is around $680. "Thanks for your time, but you are still much higher."

So he calls someone else, and gets it down to their final offer, $500.... I asked how he got it there and he called the "district manager" who gave us a family and friends price. And of course, we had to sign right then to get that price. I did not want to buy and was more than prepared to tell him to leave, but my wife did and said as much, so I reluctantly went along and bought the carpet but I am now having second thoughts.

What this all tells me is that this company easily would have gouged me and charged me $1000 for a $500 job if I did not balk at all of their outrageous prices. I certainly did not appreciate their cheap sales tactics and had a nice talk with my wife after the fact about how dirty this whole thing felt. I have not yet had my carpet installed by my choice, so I hope all goes well on that front. In the end Empire gave me a fair price for what I wanted based on of my other estimates, it was just the entire process of getting there that was wrong. I would not recommend or go back to Empire based on that alone, who knows how many people they have taken advantage of in their time.

We are interested in replacing our floors with tile. I saw the salesperson at the mall and inquired on the products offered by empire. He offered me a free estimate and I accepted the offer. The Salesman was 2 1/2 hours late for the appointment. He gave this long speech telling us about the product, etc., then about his career path that led him to Empire. He stayed over two hours at our home and left after 9 pm, we couldn't get him out faster. However, we did pick out two tiles.

Since, we weren't ready to purchase that night, he refused to measure the floors and give us an estimate. Instead, a new appointment was scheduled two weeks later. Again, he was 1/2 hour late for the appointment. He asked if we were ready to buy. I told him only if it was within our budget. Forgetting the tile we picked out two weeks ago, we choose two other tiles which had two different prices. He quoted the prices to us which were way too high, 14,900 and 17,900. We told him that it was way too high at this time because we just located 1200 miles to another state to start new careers after being laid off from our present jobs.

So, he called his manager who dropped the price, on the lower quality tile, which we had told him long before he wrote the quote that we didn't want. The price came down to $10,300 for 1100 sq ft of tile. Again we told him that we wanted to wait a couple days to think about it, plus, we weren't sure if the price was too high since we hadn't had any other quotes. He said put $200 down and think about it you have three days to think about it. We again said no. The pressure started to rise when he told us we needed to decide now or the deal was off and the price will be $14,900. We were firm and said no and we could tell he was angry.

The last statement he made to us was, "do me a favor, don't ever call me again". When he walked out of my home, my jaw dropped. I ripped the flier with the additional $300 off. If circumstance where different I may had purchased since I want to change my floors. Times like today, time needs to be taken to ensure that good decisions are made. Like I told the salesman, I need to weigh out my decisions and determine if I am spending my money wisely. Maybe the answer is that I did make a wise choice tonight and that is not to be pressured into buying. All this Christian stuff he bragged on was a bunch of lies.

JONESBORO, GEORGIA -- Like the others before me I called Empire and set up an installation consultation. The representative was very helpful and did not pressure us like other companies had nor did she talk bad about competitors which I appreciated. After much negotiation we finally reached an agreement we both could accept. So what's the problem you ask?

Well the problem came when she said that we had to pay for the carpet in full prior to installation. Naturally my husband and I were shocked. We could not believe that she expected us to pay them $10,000 before the job was complete with no guarantee of a full refund if we were not satisfied. Well after a discussion with her "supervisor" they agreed to hold the check until the job was complete and our satisfaction was confirmed in a follow up phone call. We agreed.

So imagine our surprise the next day when I checked my account and found that the money had been withdrawn despite our agreement. I called my bank immediately and filed a fraud report. I then called Empire and cancelled my order. They told me that although the order was cancelled they could not refund my money until they completed an internal investigation which could take up to 10 business days because it has never been their policy to hold checks. It was not until my bank contacted them via 3-way later that day that they agreed to refund my money immediately. I was outraged!

Do you know they still sent the installers to my house for instillation, Mexicans who spoke no English, who even after a detailed explanation were still unloading their trucks. I had to go in my house and call Empire before they left. BEWARE! Unless you are willing to pay thousands prior to work completion. I would not recommend Empire!

LONG BEACH -- I just had Empire install some carpet. We are very satisfied with both, the installation and carpet. However, I would never use them again nor would I recommend them to anyone. The reason I say this is we called because they were offering 60% off. When we picked out the carpet we wanted, the guy gives us the price, and it was way way higher than the other quotes we received.

When I asked if the price included the 60% off, he tells me that discount only applies to a few select carpets, and of course the one we selected was not one of them. So I said "OK thanks for your time but you're not even in the ballpark." That's when he calls his manager, and gets special permission to lower the price, by over half. That tells me if I didn't ask about the discount, they would have happily gouged me.

It gets worse from there. After thinking about it, we called him back and say "OK, let do it." He comes back to the house and after filling out all the paperwork asks for payment in full. So I say, "what do you mean payment in full? You haven't installed the carpet yet." He says that's just how they do it. So I tell him "forget it then. I'm not paying you in full before the work is done. I just had $10,000 worth of windows replaced in my house, and they didn't ask for payment in full. I'll give you half now and the other half after it's installed, otherwise, have a nice day." Lo and behold, his manager gives special permission to pay half now and the balance after the installation is complete.

The lack of trust was unbelievable. He actually sat in my dinning room calling his office so they could run some kind of check approval, making it very clear to me that they did not trust me to write them a valid check, yet I was supposed to trust them and pay it all in full before the installation.

I think I got lucky. Most of the time if a company wants to be paid in full BEFORE the work is done, they do very very poor quality work, and know they won't get paid after, so they need to get it up front. Like I said earlier, I do not recommend using Empire for the simple fact that they were not straight up with me from the beginning.

DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS -- We purchased Empire's version of modern shag September 2005 for our living room. The salesperson and installers were fantastic. Problems started about 3 months later. I vacuum with our Kirby everyday but the carpet was starting to take on a very dingy and flat look. So I had it shampooed. After about 3 days it still looked bad but we dealt with it. We have had to get the carpet shampooed every 4 months since purchase just so the house doesn't look dirty.

Last month I was vacuuming and I noticed our 1 and only seam in the room had split so I called Empire. Their guy came out and couldn't fix it (the carpet and laminate separated) so Empire sent an inspector out to assess the damage. The person actually took a piece of wood and made our 1 foot seam tear into a 3 foot seam tear and stuck it between the carpet 1 foot on either side. She cut a bunch of fibers so now along with the seam we now having fraying. Long story short she found pet urine on some of the fibers. Conveniently right on the damaged part.

SO now because we "damaged" the carpet the warranty is void and we have to throw out the carpet. I wasn't expecting new carpet just a repair. The man I spoke with finally, John **, was extremely rude and unhelpful. I am furious right now and completely disappointed with Empire's Service. I am a Chicago native and have been hearing the Empire promises since I was a kid. I expected so much more from them. So here is my advice - stay away from Empire, they do not stand behind their product or service promises. Once they get your money it's a whole new ball game. $3000+ down the toilet in 1 year. Anyone know of carpet sales in the area?

LABELLE, PENNSYLVANIA -- Salesman came to my home on 3/15 and measured and came up with a price of $4600 for 144 square feet of laminate flooring. I told him that was too much and he came down to $3,679. I did some calculations and research and found out that it should be not be no more than $2,800. I called Monday (2 days after contract was written) and canceled.

Pennsylvania law says that you have 3 business days to cancel a contract. Also, gave a credit card deposit of $200. Customer service was very hesitant about cancelling. Told me he would get price down to $3,000. Still too high. This company rips people off. Customer service told me that I will received my credit in 7 to 10 days. I am anxious to see how truthful that is!

ORLANDO, FLORIDA -- My husband and I had several carpet estimates for our home and decided to go with Empire as the carpet looked good quality and the salesman assured us they only used "licensed and background checked" installers. Well, they installed my carpet last Friday Jan 10, and after they left, I noticed a gold ring (valued at $2,000) missing from my master bathroom, where they had no business entering. I searched for over an hour for it, then called Empire. No manager available so they told me to file a police report and a manager would call me back ASAP.

72 hours later (ridiculous) I received a call asking for the police report # and telling me they would start an investigation. I asked when I should expect a follow-up call and was told by Friday the 24th, still haven't heard ANYTHING!!! Funny how great their customer service was before the job but now they want to ignore this situation. I loved that ring and I am most upset that I had a criminal in my home (I was here the entire time of install, working downstairs while they put in carpet upstairs) who now knows where I live! This is scary and ridiculous. Do not use this company!!