I currently work for Empire and I would like to make several things clear to the public about Empire Today. I will set it up in ten categories, each explaining the reasons why you would be CRAZY to buy from empire. I will also tell you about a couple pros so you don't think I'm totally bias...

1. Management. The head manager of the Dallas market is named John kirchner, we have weekly meetings where john explains to us the reasons why were so expensive (none of which having anything to do with product quality.). The sales people are all wonderful but empire treats them horrible and pays them just enough to get by. This causes the sales reps to care very little about any customer individually. The general manager of the store is Dan M. Dan is a yes man that does nothing to make the company better other than look at past stats of performance. He's suppose to have power over John k. But he doesn't even though he's the boss.

2. Pricing. Empire has a "car sales" approach to selling flooring. They will come in, pretend to be your best friend, tell you about the company and then present you with a price. The first price will be either "target" or "8%.". The percentages are commision levels. That price will be very high. Once you reject that price the sales rep will then call a manager looking for a lower price. They will justify it by saying it's for cash, volume, next day, etc. Whatever fake reason the sales rep makes up. The sales rep knows pre call what the price will be. The managers role in drop calling is simply to pretend it's important, when they say the same thing every time. So now the sales rep wil have you at "6%". You will say no to that and then the call charade begins again. Then you will be given a third price, the 4% price. If this doesn't work then the sales rep will try anything necessary to get your business. If all that fails, empire will call the customer 2-3 days later and make a final offer lower than all the others.

3. Products. The products empire uses are the exact same as anyone else. It just seems better bc sales reps can explain it. The quality is equal to that of anything else. The hard wood is waaaay over priced, often $12-$15 a sq ft, and that's with no take up. The bath liners crack easily and do not have warranties.

4. Warranties. Empire claims to have long warranties but the truth is, you mess up your floor it's your fault. You better have a signed letter from Jesus if you want results.

5. Customer service. Possibly the worst part of the job. Getting. A rep to your home is easy, making the purchase is easy (if your rich) but the second you have a problem be pretared to call for hours. Don't call the sales rep, they can't afford to help you bc they work to much and drive far distances. The local office number will not answer your calls, ever. Your best bet is to call John kirchner directly, he's the only person with any say, and he's a demon.

6. Installers. The installers never talk to the sales rep so most of there work is improvised once they arrive. They will convince you not to do things so it's easier on them. Be prepared for Hispanics, none of the installers are American born, and they speak little if any English.

7. Quotes. If your buying anything under $1500 and the rep has to drive more than 10 miles your wasting there time. The rep doesn't get paid well enough to care about that so they avoid you at all costs. It's nothing personal, it's just money.

8. Senior managent. The guys up top are all between 25-35. There all trust fund babies and know little if anything about floors or sales. There focus is making sure we sell at high commission levels and often. They never see the people on bottom and good efforts never get noticed. You will never get to talk to one of them, they hide in a corporate building in Chicago.

9. Website. A lot of what we say we carry we don't, just so we can get in your house and try to sell you something else.

10. Pricing again. Empire offers price match, you just have to get a written quote. Once you get one they will try to explain why it's lesser material. Long story short, good luck, it's not gonna happen.

In short, working for this company is the worst job experience ever. Management walks over there sales force, even though they are the heart beat if the company. You would make a huge mistake buying from this company. Call someone local and private, they may take longer, but rest assured they value you as a customer match, you just have to get a written quote. Once you get one they will try to explain why it's lesser material. Long story short, good luck, it's not gonna happen.

In short, working for this company is the worst job experience ever. Management walks over there sales force, even though they are the heart beat if the company. You would make a huge mistake buying from this company. Call someone local and private, they may take longer, but rest assured they value you as a customer