Tompkins Flooring vs. Empire Today…read more
Empire Today = Hassle and High-Pressure Sales
I scheduled an in-home appointment with Empire Today to get a quote for replacing carpet in a single room. This was a small, straightforward job, but the visit took far longer than necessary and felt driven by sales process rather than efficiency.
Instead of focusing on measuring the room and preparing a quote, the salesperson spent a significant amount of time talking and redirecting the conversation. After repeatedly asking for pricing, I was eventually shown a single total on his tablet.
When I asked for a printed quote or an emailed copy, the salesperson said their system does not generate written quotes at all. He explained that even if he had internet access, quotes could only be presented in person and must be signed immediately. He also stated that if I did not accept the quote on the spot, it would no longer be valid and the only way to move forward would be for him to return to my home and repeat the entire process.
The quote shown had no itemization or breakdown. There was limited detail on carpet type, padding, labor, or related items, and no documentation I could review, compare, or keep. The expectation was to agree to a single number immediately, without time to evaluate options or pricing. Given the lack of transparency and the pressure to make an on-the-spot decision, I politely ended the appointment.
Tompkins Flooring = Efficient, Transparent, and Straightforward
After that experience, I stopped in at Tompkins Flooring and worked with Chris. The difference was immediate.
For the same simple job, the entire process took about five minutes. Chris was easy to work with, asked the right questions, and provided a clear quote without needing to come into my home. The quote included details on carpet, padding, and installation, and was provided in written form for review.
Pricing from Tompkins was slightly lower than Empire Today, but the product was better. Both the carpet and padding options were higher quality, and the installation schedule was more flexible. There was no pressure to commit immediately, just clear information that made it easy to decide.
The installation is scheduled for next week, and based on how smooth and professional the process has been so far, I'm guessing it will go smoothly. I'll update this review (if needed) after the work is completed.
Overall, the contrast between the two companies was clear. One relied on urgency and limited information, while the other focused on transparency, efficiency, and respecting the customer's time.