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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
MeganCarter · 28/02/2025 20:12

name and shame then try elsewhere of course

SpikyHairy · 28/02/2025 20:14

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

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 😂

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 .

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:
luckylavender · 28/02/2025 20:19

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

autisticbookworm · 28/02/2025 20:24

It is normal to pay the fitters cash on the day

Original poster
Sellotapeandlime · 28/02/2025 20:25

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.

I was happy to pay the fitters on the day but not in cash.

That's fine but there's a respectful way to go about it.

OP posts:
0psiedasiy · 28/02/2025 20:27

autisticbookworm · 28/02/2025 20:24

It is normal to pay the fitters cash on the day

I thought the same, you pay the carpet shop the amount for the carpet, and in the day you pay the fitters.
it’s easier for them. I think the fitters are self employed and if the carpet shop was taking the money for them and then passing it on or paying them it would aff3 t the self employed/employed status (impact then on ni, insurance etc) and the cost of the capers goes up more than paying the two separately.

Original poster
Sellotapeandlime · 28/02/2025 20:27

autisticbookworm · 28/02/2025 20:24

It is normal to pay the fitters cash on the day

I can understand that but it's not worth the risk (personally) just incase anything goes wrong. I need to have a digital receipt of the payment.

OP posts:
Solmum1964 · 28/02/2025 20:27

I seem to recall that when we had carpet from Carpetright we paid the fitters separately.
More recently we ordered carpet for my son's flat from an independent and paid 50% deposit by credit card on order and paid the balance, also by card, after fitting - which was included in the price.

BlondiePortz · 28/02/2025 20:29

Cheapest is probably cheapest for a reason

Solmum1964 · 28/02/2025 20:30

PrincessofWells · 28/02/2025 20:23

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

You only have to pay a small amount by credit card to get the protection on the purchase.

fuckthemail · 28/02/2025 20:30

Tell the more expensive store about your cheaper quote and ask if they can get near to matching it

0psiedasiy · 28/02/2025 20:30

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.

the carpet shop man doesn’t have any control over how the fitters are paid, if they show up, fit, ask for the cash and they say no, he risks not being able to use them as they want cash… I think you were wrong saying no, maybe should have just walked away

Theunamedcat · 28/02/2025 20:30

Buy elsewhere and get independent fitters to do the work it will work out cheaper

In fact go on Facebook you will find numerous virtual carpet companies with a good reputation

Changepassword · 28/02/2025 20:32

Sellotapeandlime · 28/02/2025 20:25

I was happy to pay the fitters on the day but not in cash.

That's fine but there's a respectful way to go about it.

Show quote history

But he told you that you pay the fitter cash on the day, there was no other option, you told him you wanted something that wasn't on offer.

BobbyBiscuits · 28/02/2025 20:32

I don't see why the fitters must be paid in cash? Why on earth don't they get paid by their employer in the normal fashion, unless they're trying to dodge taxes?
But I guess that's why they're cheaper.

Either pay more, or get a mate or family member to go there with you/for you or phone them if you don't want to see that bloke again. I wouldn't want to give them my custom frankly.
But he could be just a bad apple and the other staff are fine?
I suppose it depends how much money there's in it and how tight my budget.