Empire Today - Rip off pricing

May 13, 2006

Re: Empire Today, Long Beach, California

On Thursday May 11th, 2006 I fell victim to the sneaky ad's on TV of Empire

Today. I have an important dinner party next week and really wanted the

dining room and master bedroom carpets replaced (the new puppy has wrecked

havoc). I believed the "low warehouse direct pricing" nonsense and was

really hooked by the next day installation.

My estimate appointment was the next day (yesterday). A very charming,

complimentary and professional salesperson came to the door on time. She

quickly engaged me in personal conversation, toured the house and, I admit,

I really liked her. The only thing I didn't like was the aggressive selling.

I told her which rooms and she immediately tried selling me other products

(vinyl flooring) for the kitchen, baths, etc. I had to firmly say no to get

her to stop. So, she went to her car, got the samples and I started to

choose what I wanted, while she ,measured the space and created a map. It

was roughly 49 sq yards (she didn't tell me this, I had to go back and

measure myself later).

Once I decided what I wanted, she started the "I can get you all sorts of

discounts" charade. She even said that if I added vinyl flooring for the

kitchen, she could get it for no cost through "creative" paperwork. None of

the samples had prices on them. She kept this information closely guarded.

At one point I tried to lean over and read her price sheet, but she adeptly

put other papers over it. The price of my carpet was initially quoted as

$5,800. I almost chocked and so did she. She lowered the price because of a

"sale" they were having. I decided to pick a cheaper alternative. It was

reduced as well and I was quoted $4,279. This price was still really much

higher than I had expected. But, having never had carpet installed before, I

assumed this was normal. I gave a deposit, booked the installation for the

following Monday and sent her on her way.

Holy Moly was I stupid. This huge cost kept eating at me all day. So, I went

to the local Home Depot to compare. Now, admittedly, they are having a 10%

off sale. But even without that, the most EXPENSIVE carpet I could find was

approx. $48 per sq yard, including padding and installation. That would be

$2,352. If I added the upgraded pad, another $245. Furniture moving? Add

$62. Hauling away the old stuff - nothing! The MOST I would have paid was

$2,659 for the lot, or $54 a sq. yard . I ended up with a rough quote of

$1,500 for the whole job, picking a carpet that was a better quality and

longer warranty than the Empire style. Empire was quoting me $4,279 for the

job. This is over $87 a sq. yard. ARE THEY KIDDING ME?? I just can't grasp

why they would think they are worth more than double.

I called right away to cancel. My order hadn't been processed yet, but they

entered the cancellation quickly and professionally. They promised to mail

my deposit back. I was asked why, and told them the above.

I am not sure if they were intentionally ripping me off. It seems like it,

as the salesperson started so high and then, wink, gave me a "discount".

Maybe she measured wrong and doubled the space or something. There is no

other explanation for more than double the cost between them and Home Depot.

I like doing business in a straight forward manner. I like to shop where the

prices are prominently displayed. I like everything up front. Empire does

its business in a creepy, used car salesman approach, including hidden

prices and hard core, pushy sales people. They are not straight forward at

all. Home Depot detailed out every line item - carpet, padding, and

installation - everything. The Empire woman just kept saying "It's all

included in the price". Yeah, including her giant commission for ripping me

off.

I don't recommend shopping with them. It's just not worth it.

Dan B