Don’t get fleeced when purchasing rugs, carpets

If you are looking to add or replace carpet in your home, you may be overwhelmed with all of the options.

When buying carpet or a rug, it’s important to buy from a reputable retailer to get the most for your money. Use these tips when searching for a carpet retailer and picking out new carpet.

The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas offers these tips for purchasing carpets and rugs:

• Find a reliable retailer. Ask friends, family members and neighbors to recommend a reputable carpet retailer they have purchased from in the past. Check out retailers at BBBHouston.org to read reviews or complaints. Be wary of retailers that offer deals that sound too good to be true. • Consider the type of carpet. Think about the areas where you will be installing carpet. If you are carpeting the family room, bathroom or kitchen, be sure to choose a carpet that is easy to clean because it will be vulnerable to stains. Hightraffic areas will need a carpet that is durable and will wear well, as opposed to low-traffic areas, such as bedrooms, where you can consider a less durable carpet. If your household includes young children or pets, select a stain-resistant carpet. If you are not planning on staying in your home long term, consider buying an area rug that you can move with you.

• Take a sample home. Before purchasing carpet, be sure to first take a sample piece home. Make sure you are happy with the way the carpet looks with the wall color and the furniture in the room. Test the quality of the carpet by bending back a corner and checking the density. The backing should be sturdy and contain thick, dense pile.

• Check the label. Each rug and carpet is required by the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act to have an attached label. The label must include: the name of the manufacturer, distributor, or Federal Trade Commission registration number, the country of origin, the names of the fibers in the pile, and the percent of each fiber over 5 percent.

Although, if the piece of carpet is cut from a roll, it’s not required by law for that portion to be labeled. In this case, be sure all the label information is provided in a catalog and written on the receipt. • Get everything in writing. The contract with the carpet retailer should list all the details of your purchase. It should include: the brand name, name of the manufacturer, color, size and style. The details of the price such as the price per square yard, total purchase price, installation costs, and other additional fees should also be included in the contract. If there is a warranty, the specifics should be written in the contract. The contract should state exactly what is and is not covered.

The Better Business Bureau is an unbiased nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Visit www.bbbhouston.org or call 713-868-9500. Leah Napoliello is senior director of Investigative Services with the BBB of Greater Houston and South Texas. Send questions to Leah Napoliello, Better Business Bureau, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77027, or e-mail lnapoliello@bbbhou.org. Include your mailing address and phone number.

Each rug and carpet is required by the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act to have an attached label.