New carpet is damaged

[xanderma]

I've just had a new carpet fitted, and as soon as the fitters had left I noticed two marks which look like black felt-tip pen. One is an inch long and the other is two inches, on a cream carpet!!!

The fitters are coming back to look, but can anyone give a quick answer as to my rights so I know my footing before they arrive - can I demand a new carpet??

[raysparx1]

Yes you can demand a new carpet,if it has a fault, or a substantial discount, don't pay for it,till it is sorted, good luck, Ray

[xanderma]

Thanks for your fast reply, Ray. Unfortunately it's already paid for - pay on order - but at least I know where I stand. It's one of these situations where the shop subcontracts fitting to local guys - pay for carpet direct to shop, pay fitter when he's fitted it. I hope I don't get stuck between the two of them. Fitter's due back in half hour so we'll see what happens.

[raysparx1]

did you pay by credit card ?

[auzzie]

They may offer to get a professional cleaner in. Dont accept this, demand a new carpet.

[xanderma]

I paid by debit card unfortunately.

auzzie, you're spot on, I don't want it cleaning, it'll never be the same - and it weren't cheap!

thanks for your help, guys, it's nice to know I'm not really sitting in my house alone!

[raysparx1]

I would think it is going to be down to the carpet suppliers to sort out, if it was damaged before the fitters started, if they damaged it they will have to replace it,they will be insured, don't let them talk you into claiming on your own insurance, some will tell you this is the way it works, don't fall for it,they claim from their company,you do not claim on yours.

[xanderma]

Thanks again Ray, I've been looking at consumerdirect.gov.uk which says that if the fault is minor, it is usually reasonable to accept a repair, but that if the repair is unsatisafactory this will not affect my rights to then ask for a replacement. This still doesn't sit right with me though, so I'm going to avoid that if I can.

I'll bear in mind what you said about insurance, I hadn't even thought about that! I'm all of a fluster at the minute.

Fitter should be back here in the next 15 mins or so, watch this space....

[raysparx1]

I am off for couple of days now,hope things are ok for you, Ray

[xanderma]

Thanks for your concern Ray, the fitter has just left. Seems they'd dropped a couple of pins from the hinges of the doors they removed, which were covered in black greasy gunge! He cleaned it with white spirit and it seems fine now, but I'm keeping an eye in case it attracts more dirt than it should or shows any other sign of damage.

Thank goodness for Answerbank, more than once people here've calmed me down when I've got myself in a flap!