Complaint Review: Empire Today

Very disappointed in Empire Today in San Antonio, TX. Worked with a Mr. Dave Smith as the salesman. Grumpy dude and didn't seem to care if he made a sale or not. My wife and I were going to look at other carpet installers to compare, but decided to just go ahead with Empire Today. They have those slick commercials, so you would think they are legit. We were scheduled for installation the following Tuesday. I took day off from work to be there when they showed up. They were scheduled to show up between 11 am and 1 pm. By 1:15 pm still no show and no phone call to update us on when they were arriving. Started calling Mr. Smith and the 1-800 number for corporate. No answers. Is anyone there? After calling several numbers associated with Empire today finally got hold of a Rex Johnson. He put us in contact with the lead installer. By then I was too pissed off to be Mr. Nice. The lead installer and I got into an argument. I calmed down and he said he would be there in 20 minutes. He finally shows up with three illegal alien "assistants". They can't speak any English. The lead installer starts complaining that he started working at 5 am that morning? The absolute worst part is that they were delivering the wrong carpet! I went to inspect it and it was the wrong color and a cheaper version of what I was promised. I am thinking this is a bait and switch situation. It was not what I expected. The salesman sold me thick plush carpet based on the samples and what shows up is thin, crappy carpet. We refused the installation and called Mr. Smith. He doesn't answer the phone until an hour or so later. He starts lying about how the color is different when it is out in the sunlight. I asked him about the poor carpet quality and he said it was because it hadn't been installed and once it is stretched it will be OK. What? I could see the backing of the carpet through the pile with barely pulling apart with my fingers! Stretching is only going to make it worse. Anyway I could on about how they tried to make it right, but you are probably getting the idea. Bottom line up front is Steer clear of Empire Today.
If you ever do business with a carpet installation team, get samples of what you purchasing and compare what shows up with the sample. Also they sold us the Pet Urine Protection padding and it looked real sturdy in the sample, but what showed up was regular padding with thin layer of "protection". We are going to just get the carpets professionally cleaned and look at replacing carpet in the future. Too bad for Empire today, we had another project for them to work on. They will not be getting any recommendations from me. I have already told my co workers to not use Empire Today. Word will spread and they will be out of business soon.

Now for the Rip Off:  I paid Mr. Dave Smith a $200.00 deposit which I have yet to receive.  Considering filing a small claims case.