In The Flooring Industry
- Some manufacturers want you to believe that by going "totally vertical"
they will control the fiber manufacturing, the carpet manufacturing, the
carpet installation and the carpet maintenance; thereby controlling the
quality of product! Is this fact or fiction?
- The manufacturers want and need more control, but it is only to increase
their profit dollars! Look around and see how many mills and retailers have
been bought or aligned with these manufacturers. With less competition for
these manufacturers, does it mean better product or bigger profits?
- When mills produce their own yarns, create their own colorations,
market niche or proprietary carpet with super backings and unusual installation
requirements -- who benefits, and who pays for these so called benefits?
- To help sell these so called premium or unique carpets and to raise
their margins higher, the mills are acquiring their own retail stores and
flooring contractors. The enforcement of what and how these dealers sell
will assure the mill of their "total vertical" plunder. This game of spec
control/price control has the mills owning the ball and the court while they
referee their own game. Unfortunately you will be paying the higher ticket prices!
- Is it a buyers' market when only one manufacturer can make the carpet,
yarn, adhesive, and cushion while setting the prices for installation and
maintenance? It sounds like buyer beware !
- "Total vertical alignment" if allowed will mean that when a problem
does occur you will be at the mercy of the mill. How fast have they acted
in the past? How fast were they in just admitting to a problem? When you
have carpet with bad yarn will the mill who made the carpet and the yarn
be quick in its replacement? Will you be able to leverage the flooring
contractor for help since he is owned by the mill? Who helps you when there
is bad carpet or a bad installation? With "total vertical alignment" there
is no outside force to leverage the mills.
- Buying carpet does not have to be confusing. Mills add confusion when
they feature carpets with unusual specifications and so called enhancements
that you may not need, or that might not work.
- The answer to high carpet pricing is Independent Mills and Flooring
Contractors who are willing to competitively bid worthwhile projects, such
as yours.
- Fortunately, there is in your area, a leading independent flooring
contractor who has always given "Total Customer Satisfaction"!