Huge disappointment - Lordship flooring

[Blueskye]

Sorry if this has been covered already!

We have lived in the area for a few years and started doing up our home recently. I found various recommendations on eastdulwich forum over the years (very thankful for this site!); and first thing on the home list was sanding and carpets.

I wanted to say lordship flooring were a huge disappointment. I truly hate publicly criticising businesses but there are some basic requirements re customer service and repeat business.

Firstly - for the carpets, I went in store, to be only made to feel naive for asking basic questions (as this is our first carpet purchase). Honestly, I didn't have any clue how it worked but expected the "experts" to advise me. I then went in with my partner (thinking it was my own 'wrong' approach!) and we were shown either the horrible pieces or the eye watering ones (no middle ground until our 4th visit with Mom!). This didn't fill me with confidence and we both left more confused than before.

Secondly - and this made me really write this post. I had been asking numerous times for their sanding employee. In short - he was there by chance in the shop and came over right away to measure, and seemed really informative and helpful. Few weeks later - no quote. I called around the shop twice (to be told the quote was in the 'active' pile, then they couldn't find it) and lastly, after my call they sent it the day after. I then got a call the next day (very prompt but very annoying) to ask if I wanted to go ahead, after just receiving it! I then emailed a couple weeks later and again, no reply for 4 days until I called them. I advised of the situation/disappointment and that basic customer service would have been a mere apology (not, "no worries will get the assessor to call") and being actively on it to redeem the matter. They called over two hours later (promised "10 mins later") having taken 2 mins to work out my question!

Price - it was DOUBLE the cost of the other competitors including ones that have multiple

recommendations.

Throughout this waste of time - we have found brilliant guys including EJ carpets and back to wood (sanding). Professional, great advisors, helpful and prompt (came around and quoted within a day!). However the delay in waiting for a quote from lordship flooring meant we delayed booking the sander - and now have a wait of 4 months.

Rant over ! (Sorry again...but felt it was important to share the experience)

[sheff]

We had them to measure carpets.

Similar experience.

We had 4 companies measure up. They measured the area 30% larger than the other 3.

This was for 4 bedrooms and a large landing area.

And the company we chose still had some waste left over for us to do cupboards.

[DaveR]

There is one guy in particular at LL Carpets who is dreadful - really patronising and unhelpful - and I get the sense that the other people there know it, but he's been around for years. I went there 8 or 9 years ago and decided to shop elsewhere. Went back a month ago, saw the same guy, and again decided to go elsewhere.

[Blueskye]

I think I know who that is..seems to have an outdated sales pitch (not sure he reads customers well). I am glad I am not the only one. I felt awful writing this but I was so annoyed at this experience- I wanted to share as we all have busy lives and would rather deal with firms with good c/m service, advises and prices right. To be honest if they had done a better job we wouldn't have shopped around.

[edcam]

We've used Lordship Lane Carpets (I assume that's the company the OP means?) They've always been excellent.

Unless there is a different company called Lordship Flooring?

[Pugwash]

We went into LL Carpets last year to get information re stair runners. After about 10 minutes in shop we approached an older gentleman for help. He rather begrudgingly showed us a couple of samples cost ?110 per metre. When we said that was too much, he showed us another sample for ?72 per metre and said we would be wrong in assuming we could get quality carpet for les than that amount. Following recommendation on the forum, we went to RJ carpets in Forest Hill.

Total change in attitude, when it was known that we wanted wall to wall carpeting on landings but runner on 2 flights of stairs, we were directed to sample books and displays that came in several widths so not to have much wastage. I think the price was about ?28 - ?35 per metre. We will need a new bedroom carpet shortly and will be revisiting EJ.

[RWellman]

I too would recommend EJ flooring in Forest Hill http://www.ejcarpets.co.uk/

they are really helpful and have a great range of carpets. I had planned to get a woolen carpet but on seeing their range of artificial carpets I chose those as my house has moths and I have been delighted with the quality and value of their product and the friendliness and helpfulness of the service. They came and measured my stairs for a carpet and didn't mind that I ordered the carpet over a year later!

[cazloz]

I tried three companies - Nunhead Carpets, EJ Flooring in Forest Hill and Lordship Carpets. Both Nunhead and EJ listened to our requirements and gave excellent quotes and advice - there was little to choose between them, but Nunhead could do the job quickest and so got the gig. The installation was excellently done.

Lordship Carpets recommended a carpet well over twice as expensive as the other two.

[*Bob*]

Yes, expect up-sell and 'him' in Lordship - as it's now called.

However, they do carry ranges not available at their competitors.

Identical products in EJ and Lordship are actually priced very similarly - there's not much in it.

We would have been v happy with EJ (all very nice in there) but unfortunately they didn't have anything we wanted to buy, so Lordship it was. The fitting was fine, as it should be (they're fitting carpets, not splitting the atom)

[stevie23b]

A lot of people must be 'happy' with Lordship flooring or carpets or whatever otherwise they would not be in business.

[georgem]

I have used Lordship lane carpets for many years and have always found them to be incredibly professional and helpful! I have recommended them to many of my friends and have never received any negative feedback. I particularly like the fact that they are always happy to chat to you and discuss your requirements and budget. Incredibly patient and knowledgeable, customer service is second to none. I don't usually post reviews, however I felt it was important to redress the balance of some of the negative reviews above, some of which appear to be plugging a competitor?

[Calsug]

Echoing the above, I've used lordship lane carpets a few times and have been very pleased with their service, very helpful and willing to spend time going through different styles plus their fitters were fantastic.

[AC1964]

Another thumbs up here. Had some very good experiences and happy to recommend. Don't recognise the negative comments...

[Blueskye]

Georgem

Absolutely not plugging another firm (I have nothing to gain!) and my post clearly says that it's a disappointment due to the lack of customer service and the price points that I received. As I already mentioned I do not like to criticise local business as that's what keeps communities going!

Lastly - we share our own experiences and reccommend people we are using to give other people the choice. So it's great you has good customer service and can share that.

In short - it wasted my time booking in the sander job and I recognised the difference in service between the two firms.