In the last issue I wrote about something similar to what we’re going to discuss now, but this is different. I recently visited a dealer in New England who runs a very high-end retail operation. The products he sells are all top shelf names and the facility certainly suits the presentation of premium brands. It is a very impressive looking and performing operation, to be sure.

In the course of our conversation, the dealer showed me a product he was having a challenge installing. This is a woven sisal carpet for which, the manufacturer has provided very specific installation instructions.

However, there is one caveat the product’s directions mention: You can cut this broadloom in the length, on the face, using a loop-pile cutter and running a row, but it is impossible to make a widthwise cut without opening a loop. The instructions declare in bold print, underlined, “Avoid widthwise seams if at all possible.”

The question is, why would you manufacture a carpet you can only cut in length? No matter what you do to this product, when you try to make a widthwise cut, the seam will automatically be frayed. If you try to re-insert the loop with latex, you will make a mess.

SISAL CARPET WHICH CAN ONLY BE CUT IN THE LENGTH

One installer suggested using a narrow-tipped, electric glue gun to insert the edges of the cut yarns. This won’t work because you’ll create a hard edge and a seam which will inevitably be very visible.

Why should any carpet manufacturer make its product nearly impossible to install without a problem? It’s built in; so, you’ll have to sell an inordinate amount of additional yardage to Mrs. Consumer. Hopefully, you’ll be able to lay the job out so you can avoid creating a problem for yourself. But then, if you know this product will create a problem, why would you sell it?

This product is not so special she’d want to start off with a problem, knowing the manufacturer marketed a carpet which can only be seamed in the length. Not too bright. It not only presents headaches for the dealer and, especially, the installer; but it is also limiting to the mill, since it won’t sell as much of this product as it could.

There’s no way I’d show this product for sale. All is can do is cause discomfort. This dealer didn’t even have installation instructions. We had to call the mill to get them and then found out, after discussing how to cross seam this product, the mill tells you to avoid cross seams.

Even though broadloom should be run in a full length direction whenever possible, we all know, when you work in hallways and small areas, that is not always possible. The mill tells you, when making a widthwise seam in this product, use a loop-pile cutter or a top cutter with the cut close to the side of the opposite seam edge to prevent the pile yarn from fraying from the backing yarn. But, since this is a loop-pile carpet, no matter where you cut the loop you’ll fray it and not be able to correct it.

Maybe I’m the idiot for thinking styling should include practicality. This just goes to show, installation is not the biggest problem facing the industry. The biggest problem is, not understanding the product-and this is a perfect example of that: Making a carpet which looks good in full sheets but can’t be cross seamed. I love the line in the installation instructions which says, “ Care should be taken to ensure that no loops are cut.” You cannot make a cross seam without cutting loops. I can just hear the complaint being handled: “Did you receive a copy of our installation guidelines?”

“Why no, they weren’t included with the product. If we can’t cross seam it, how do we install it? And, who’s going to take care of this now?” “We’re sorry, this is an installation problem and you did the installation, so it’s your responsibility.”

You can fill in all the other incredulous thoughts and comments which would complete this ridiculous scenario. Boy, we just don’t have enough “natural” problems without trying to create another category of things with which to shoot ourselves in the foot.

Keep up the good work guys. You’re going to sell a lot of this stuff. My publisher asks if I’ll ever run out of things to write about. Not in my lifetime.