This is a big scam in the industry.
You go to the shop and look at a deck board – which is a book that has a large piece of carpet on the front, and all the smaller samples and available colors inside.
Let’s say you look at three small samples – 1, 2, and 3 (1 being the thinnest one). You choose a color and pick “Sample number 1”. The scam comes in two variations.
Scenario 1. The salesman writes “Sample number 1” on the contract but a week later sends you sample number 2 (most people will ignore checking, others won’t be able to tell the exact difference since they don’t have sample number 1 there, to compare it to).
Scenario 2. The salesman will send you the sample number 1, but charge you for number 2.
How to avoid: make sure you have a copy of the invoice with both sample number and price before leaving the shop – check this against the delivery note when the van arrives in your driveway. Be able to recognize the different samples – measure the thickness of the one you have ordered before leaving the shop (you should never go to buy a carpet without carrying a measuring tape with you). If the wrong goods have been delivered, or the price is wrong, refuse to accept it.