I am totally disgusted with Empire Today. My husband and I decided to shop around before we bought carpet. First we had Mercer Carpet from Hamilton NJ come in and give us a wonderful estimate. As the salesman from Mercer Carpet came walking through the door the Empire salesman "Paul Sherlock" came walking through our door; knowing as he arrived that we were doing our homework. After giving us the sales pitch for a while he told us how we could get these wonderful discounts...etc. Needless to say he said they could beat the competitor's pricing. He also said Mercer Carpet wasn't quoting us for the correct amount of sq. yards. Of course Empires being much more than then competitors. Not only was Empire able to "match" but they were able to "beat" the competitor's price by $100.00. Everything sounded good...Until we started writing out the contract...

The salesman "Paul Sherlock, from Empire" said that because of the low cost he proposed, he now would be charged a kick back. So if we could write a check out to him for $275.00 we would then be charged the balance the day the carpet was installed. My husband and I actually thought that he was a contractor for Empire, when in fact he is actually an employee for Empire. So we didnt think too much of it. We then looked at our contract for Empire and it made no mention of our $275.00 check. I checked with our bank and this gentleman indeed signed the check and had it deposited into his direct account.

After making Empire aware that they have a salesman who is ripping them off and the customer off, we were told they did a thorough investigation and despite the cancelled check(showing the deposit), the contract from Empire (w/out the deposit included) and our credit card receipt(showing full payment), Empire doesnt seem to think that there is a problem and plans on doing nothing about it. I will get my $275.00 back!

I had laminate flooring installed by Empire Today. I was happy with the installation which was done quickly and all my furniture was moved and then put back. Shortly after the installation, I noticed some puckers along 2 of the seams. I called and someone came out and checked it and made an appointment to repair it the following week. They never showed up. I sat waiting for 3 1/2 hours. I finally called and they claimed they had no record of the appointment. After much run around and not the nicest treatment, they made me another appointment and told me I would have to pay over $300. This was never told to me by the representative who came to check the repair needed. They proceeded to tell me it was in the contract that I would have to pay. I am completely unhappy with this company and warn otheres to be cautious and ask a lot of questions. Also get names and numbers in case they decide not to show up for scheduled appointments. I will not use them again or recommend them to my friends.

In April, 2008, we invited Empire Today to our house to discuss flooring options. We were considering either hardwood or laminate and after our discussions with the Empire representative, we purchased laminate flooring. During this initial consultation, the sales representative told us that the flooring we were purchasing, Quick-Step flooring by Unilin, was water and scratch resistant.

He told us that water could sit on the floor for up to three days before it suffered any damage and that, because of its superior water resistance, it was the flooring that Empire recommended for kitchens and bathrooms.

To clean the floor, the sales person recommended Windex or a laminate cleaner. For sticky spills, he said we could moisten a rag with water and wipe the spill. For tough spills, he recommended Goof-Off.

We agreed to have our entire first floor covered in the Quick-Step product. The cost of the flooring was almost $9000.00!

Installation went smoothly.

We cleaned the floor as recommended by the sales representative, including the use of a moist towel to spot-clean. Regardless of how we cleaned, be it laminate cleaner or Goof-Off or moist towel, we made sure to dry the area thoroughly. At no time did we ever mop the floor with a floor mop or saturate it with laminate cleaner (or water).

Within one month, the flooring in the kitchen began to bubble around the edges of the planks and, after several telephone calls, Empire Today sent a flooring inspector to inspect the floor. The flooring inspector noted that the bubbling was sit-related due to water damage, but gave no explanation as to what he meant by that.

Because the product is in the kitchen, water spills occur frequently during routine use. We wash dishes, prepare food, wash hands after dinner, etc. However, we towel-dry the floor after each spill.

Empire Today has refused to honor our warranty, claiming that the manufacturer will not honor a claim of damage caused by water.

According to the Quick-Step warranty, the product ...will resist water damage. The warranty then states that it WILL NOT cover damage if the product has been ...put to abnormal use or conditions or abused in any way.

The warranty describes abnormal use to include ...water damage from plumbing, storm or flood, damage from smoke, fire or other casualty events; damage caused by negligence... And describes abuse as ...any use of the flooring that is unreasonable considering the normal and expected uses of a laminate floor in a residential environment.

Since the floor was installed in the kitchen, at the recommendation of Empire Today, it is not unreasonable to expect that it would withstand water spills, provided the spills are cleaned up afterward.

The general Manager at Empire Today (Durham, NC) does not seem to think so. He has made it clear that, despite what the sales representative told us, it was our responsibility to verify the accuracy of Empire's claims. So it is our fault that we are stuck with a damaged floor that soaks up water on contact.

I hired Empire Today for carpet installation. Stay away from these crooks! They came and would not install until I paid them in full even after the salesman told me I would pay upon completion. When they came they were short on carpet and had to return the next day, this time it was a different crew and they left a large visible seam in the middle of the floor. They also broke furniture! After about 3 months of the carpet being installed, I noticed that the carpet was wearing quickly, I called Empire and they told me they would have someone come out to look at it, when the man came out, he insulted me by saying my vacuum was no good and I don't vacuum enough, when I told him that I vacuum 3 times a week he said I need to vacuum everyday. I was so upset by hearing this and I contacted Empire again, this time they ingored me. At this point, I reported them to the BBB, this is when I finally heard from them. They had a third party inspector come out and a week later I received a report in the mail saying the carpet was not defective and it was my fault it looked the way it did beause my vacuum doesn't pick up the fibers enough. Too bad they don't have a section on the report that states the carpets they sell are inferior and junk! Stay away from these crooks, they are very dishonest and are not in business for the customer, if you get their flooring, you will need to spend more money to replace it in the near future.

had hired Empire Today to install carpet in my house on 6/27/09. The installers came and installed carpet on bedrooms and stairs, but they did NOT install carpet on the entrance hallway leading up to the stairs. The order form states "Hallway" is included, and our sales representative Mr. Joseph Orelien had mentioned stairs and hallway in the price quoted.
The installers said they had no more carpet left to do the entrance hallway and left. I did NOT sign the complete installation page. I intend to dispute your charge.
When I called the sales rep, he said Empire will have to charge me MORE money to do the entrance hallway as only top hallway was included, I WAS MISINFORMED and was assured that BOTH hallways would be carpeted.
I have digital pictures of the entrance hallway that has little carpet padding thrown on it and is UNFINISHED, and NOT carpeted as promised to me by Empire. The rep. wants to charge me more money to do the job right. This is unacceptable!
I chose Empire Today after reading about good customer service and fast installation PROMISES, I was offer NEITHER. I am extremely unsatisfied with my experience with Empire Today and I will post this on EVERY internet discussion board I can find to inform other consumers to BEWARE of Empire Today unless my issue is resolved