Latest News

BUY CARPET WITH CONFIDENCE FROM REGISTERED SPECIALISTS - THE CARPET RETAILERS YOU CAN TRUST WITH A CODE OF PRACTICE APPROVED BY THE OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING
28thth February 2007

Look with confidence for your nearest Registered Specialist Retailer when next buying a carpet as they will be using a new Consumer Code of Practice with Office of Fair Trading approval, which will take all the worry out of buying a carpet. Launched by the Carpet Foundation, the UK carpet industry's trade association, the OFT Approved Code has been exclusively adopted by over 1000 Registered Specialist Retailers nationwide. The Code of Practice sets a completely new standard for selling practices in UK carpet retailing and will give consumer's massive peace of mind. Consumers can be confident that they are dealing with businesses they can trust.

With the OFT approved code, Registered Specialist Retailers are committed to treating customers fairly and giving clear objective advice to enable consumers to select the carpet that is right for them. They will also have user friendly, straightforward and fair procedures for dealing with complaints and they will use clear and fair contracts.

The Code, which applies to all carpet sold, excluding rugs, promises consumers: - Impartial and expert advice - Written terms of business - so they know where they stand - Written quotations - so no nasty surprises - Deposit protection - their money is safe - Extended guarantees from Carpet Foundation manufacturers - Cancellation of orders on 'reasonable' grounds - Agreed complaints resolution procedures - Free conciliation - Low cost arbitration - Ongoing independent monitoring to ensure compliance - An independent disciplinary panel to ensure the Code is effectively enforced

Choosing the right retailer is more important than what you buy. The Office of Fair Trading only approves Codes that have proved effective in safeguarding and promoting consumers' interests beyond the basic requirements of the law. Consumers can go to a Registered Specialist Retailer secure in the knowledge that they will get the best advice on all aspects of the purchase, from measuring and estimating to product suitability, installation and after sales service - all backed up by a Code of Practice approved by the Office of Fair Trading.

The new Code is supported by 11 of the UK's top manufacturers all of whom underpin key elements of the code.

For total peace of mind when buying carpet, go to your nearest Registered Specialist Retailer - people you can trust.

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Rupert Anton
Marketing Director
The Carpet Foundation
MCF Complex
60 New Road
Kidderminster
Worcestershire
DY10 1AQ

Tel: 01562 747 359
Email: rupertanton@carpetfoundation.com

Note to Editors

OFT approval is a 2 stage process - phase one agree the words and then in stage 2 the Code Sponsor has to demonstrate that their members really do deliver the promises. Key to approval for the Carpet Foundation Consumer Code of Practice was the outstanding results achieved from customer satisfaction monitoring of over 2000 carpet purchasers. A staggering 98% of purchasers were either 'very likely' or 'likely' to buy next time from their Registered Specialist.

BACK TO LATEST NEWS INDEX