Should you purchase carpet, hardwood flooring or area rugs online?

We get so many phone calls from people who ask us if they should buy their flooring online...It depends.  Have you seen the carpet, hardwood floor or area rug in person at your local flooring store already and just shopping around for price?

Flooring has to be seen, needs to be touched.  We can't see the beauty of a Nourison 2000 Collection Area Rug on a computer screen, doesn't matter how high-def!  It also depends on your monitor's brightness, color and contrast setting.  The area rugs in the Nourison 2000 Collection are 100% wool with beautiful silk accents! You have to see the gorgeous shine of the silk in person under lighting to truly appreciate the beautiful area rugs.

In addition to feeling and seeing a flooring product in person whether it be carpet or hardwood, you should know that the major flooring manufacturers like Mohawk, Shaw, Armstrong, Mannington, Masland and every other flooring brand you can think of will only honor their warranty if the flooring is purchased from an AUTHORIZED DEALER.

Sure you will find cheap flooring online especially if it's only an internet based flooring company.  Remember that professional carpet and hardwood flooring installation is just as important as the flooring you choose.  If you buy your flooring online, who will you go to when there is a problem in a couple of years?  If you bought it online from an unauthorized dealer, the warranty you thought you had is no good!   You should always deal with a local flooring store that has their own certified installers that is authorized to sell the product and guarantees their installation.  And please please please don't buy your flooring from the same place you would buy a toilet bowl!  Go to a local store that specializes in flooring only!

You should also know that manufacturers restrict the minimum internet sale price.  What does this mean in English?  For example, you will find almost identical pricing for Nourison Area Rugs online - this is because Nourison wants to keep the market fair and will not allow pricing lower than a set minimum.  This protects their dealers.  However, did you know that they can not tell us what to price the area rugs in our store?  That's right, you will actually SAVE money if you shop at your local area rug shop!

All the major flooring manufacturers frown upon purchasing flooring online and some simply don't allow internet sales:
Mannington's Internet Purchasing Policy
Armstrong's Internet Policy for Flooring Purchases Online
Mirage Hardwood Flooring is NOT available for purchase online, at least they are NOT AUTHORIZED

This article was written by Sabina at Floor Expo

Floor Expo is your local source for all flooring including carpet, hardwood floors, vinyl and laminate flooring, area rugs and carpet remnants. Carpet Store in NJ, Hardwood Floor Sales and Installation, Carpet Installers on Staff, Certified Hardwood Floor Installation, Dustless Sanding Hardwood Floor Refinishing, call us today for your free flooring measure and quote at (973)276-0039 or toll-free at (800)390-8137.