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AIBU?

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Original poster

Rude store manager?! Take my money elsewhere

188 replies

Sellotapeandlime · 28/02/2025 20:08

Hello everyone,

Had a bit of a shit day but I want to know if AIBU.

I have been to three carpet stores and have been comparing quotes and have decided to (of course) go for the cheapest quote. I get there and I'm ready to pay for my deposit. However, the manager said that I need to pay the rest of the money in cash to pay the fitters on the day of the carpet. I told him "no" that I prefer to pay the rest of the money by debit/bank transfer on the day so that I have a digital record of the payment. I said I was happy to put down a higher amount for the deposit- but it would be too much money to cash out and due to the large amount, I prefer to pay the rest of the balance by card.

All of a sudden he got very angry, face red, shaking and said "NO! You pay all of the money upfront or half on the day in cash or nothing at all". I replied to him "Well, I can see that you are angry and I don't feel comfortable with the way you are behaving, so I'm going to leave and look elsewhere. Then he said "Bye!", and I left.

I mean what the hell???? Can anyone please tell me if AIBU?? Was I wrong to request that I would like to pay the rest by card?

Also! I'm now stuck as my only option is to pay for the expensive carpet place who are known to do a very good job but are very expensive. We need to move into our new home within three weeks. What should I do????????

OP posts:
PrincessofWells · 28/02/2025 20:23

Do not pay cash. You should use a credit card so you get the Section 75 protection.

Original poster
Sellotapeandlime · 28/02/2025 20:22

pavillion1 · 28/02/2025 20:18

Do people really still use carpet stores at all ? try independent, you'll get a better price and better service .

Yes, it was an independent store,

OP posts:
Original poster
Sellotapeandlime · 28/02/2025 20:21

BlumminFreezin · 28/02/2025 20:16

It would be very unusual for a store manager to suddenly go red, start shaking and shouting over a totally benign and polite request. I mean, shaking...really? Out of the blue and JUST because you said you'd like to pay by card/bank transfer?

I'd love to hear the other side of this tbh 😂

You probably think I'm exaggerating. But it is true. I was firm but polite. I found his behaviour odd- but he didn't look like he was in a good mood anyway.

OP posts:
Moier · 28/02/2025 20:21

Happens here all the time... in cheap places...that aren't big well known companies.
Cash to the fitters.. so it doesn't go through the books.. the fitters are probably self employed.. / not paying enough tax etc..or even money laundering.

Changepassword · 28/02/2025 20:19

Whenever I've had carpet, we've always paid the carpet shop for the carpet, and the fitter for the fitting on the day, including any gripper rods and threshold bars, I don't think he was giving you the option of paying it all to the store directly, I think he was telling you how his business works.

BallerinaRadio · 28/02/2025 20:19

Sounds a very odd encounter. Paying the carpet fitters by cash on the day has been the norm whenever I've had a carpet fit though

YorkshireIndie · 28/02/2025 20:19

I am sure we had to pay the carpet fitters separately and in cash when the stairs were done

luckylavender · 28/02/2025 20:19

It's quite normal to post the fitters in cash?

Original poster
Sellotapeandlime · 28/02/2025 20:19

SpikyHairy · 28/02/2025 20:14

Baffling that the cheapest option also turned to be out he worst...

Yes exactly! I'm not sure what to do now!! I really like the expensive company, which we can afford, but it's just a lot. Maybe I should bite the bullet and go with the expensive company.

Is it the norm nowadays to pay the rest of balance in cash??

OP posts:
pavillion1 · 28/02/2025 20:18

Do people really still use carpet stores at all ? try independent, you'll get a better price and better service .

BlumminFreezin · 28/02/2025 20:16

It would be very unusual for a store manager to suddenly go red, start shaking and shouting over a totally benign and polite request. I mean, shaking...really? Out of the blue and JUST because you said you'd like to pay by card/bank transfer?

I'd love to hear the other side of this tbh 😂

SpikyHairy · 28/02/2025 20:14

Baffling that the cheapest option also turned to be out he worst...

MeganCarter · 28/02/2025 20:12

name and shame then try elsewhere of course