its not unusual for a carpet (I worked for Mohawk) to be offered in three weights with different pile heights. The sample is uaually just for color only and may be in the mid weight. If you ordered an upgrade it wouldn't be unusual for the cpt to look different from the sample

I would be leary of anyone who had dinner and prayed with the family. Many people use religion to take advantage of others. People think, oooh they are Christian so they will treat me right. This is what they are counting on. I would have run away from that PB. I also had a budget for my pool that I needed to stick to. My PB figured out the costs after getting prices on everything. He told me that they mark up screened enclosures, solar heating, etc. I paid for these items separately, but he arranged for his usual subcontractors to come out so I would pay the PB price, not negotiate on my own. As for the actual pool, none of that could be contracted out. The PB needs to know what's going on since the entire build reflects on his company.

Wow! Somebody either erred/misled big time. Was the possibility of wrapping prepaids into a tax deductible point presented to you by a mortgage broker or a loan officer from the lender? Was this arrangement written down anywhere? At any rate, the scenario is not allowed by the IRS and I would think most lenders and settlement companies would be completely aware of this. Your HUD-1 settlement sheet is your document of record and the one the IRS would review in the case of an audit/question. I'd pursue it with a higher up at the lender and,depending, on what I heard report it to the lender's regulatory authority. The deductibility of points can be a bit confusing so I'll let the IRS explain it: ___"Topic 504 - Home Mortgage Points The term "points" is used to describe certain charges paid to obtain a home mortgage. Points may be deductible as home mortgage interest, if you itemize deductions on Form 1040, Schedule A (PDF). If you can deduct all of the interest on your mortgages, you may be able to deduct all of the points paid on the mortgage. For information on deducting interest, refer to Topic 505. You can deduct the points in full in the year they are paid, if all the following requirements are met: -Your loan is secured by your main home (your main home is the one you live in most of the time). -Paying points is an established business practice in your area. -The points paid were not more than the amount generally charged in that area. -You use the cash method of accounting. This means you report income in the year you receive it and deduct expenses in the year you pay them. -The points were not paid for items that usually are separately stated on the settlement sheet such as appraisal fees, inspection fees, title fees, attorney fees, or property taxes. -You provided funds at or before closing, that were at least as much as the points charged, not counting points paid by the seller. You cannot have borrowed the funds from your lender or mortgage broker in order to pay the points. -You use your loan to buy or build your main home. -The points were computed as a percentage of the principal amount of the mortgage, and -The amount is clearly shown on your settlement statement. Points that do not meet these requirements may be deductible over the life of the loan. Points paid for refinancing generally can only be deducted over the life of the new mortgage. However, if you use part of the refinanced mortgage proceeds to improve your main home and you meet the first six requirements stated previously, you can fully deduct the part of the points related to the improvement in the year you paid them with your own funds. Points charged for specific services, such as preparation costs for a mortgage note, appraisal fees or notary fees are not interest and cannot be deducted. Points paid by the seller of a home cannot be deducted as interest on the seller's return, they are a selling expense which will reduce the amount of gain realized. Points paid by the seller may be deducted by the buyer provided the buyer subtracts the amount from the basis, or cost, of the residence. Points you pay on loans secured by your second home, can be deducted only over the life of the loan. You may be subject to a limit on some of your itemized deductions, including points, for more information on the adjusted gross income limitations please refer to the Form 1040 Instructions. For more information on points, refer to Publication 936, Home Mortgage Interest Deduction."

Thought that those interested in the original post might like an update. First, I took both my print-outs (one that said I ordered a $20.00 GC if one spends $50.00, and the one that said $100.00 must be spent) to the restaurant owners. So, this husband & wife team, BOTH groaned when I presented them with the evidence. They stated they had been trying to get out of contracting w/ R.Com, but were locked into a 2 year contract and despised them for the following reasons: 1) R. Com ran coupons unbeknownst to them during Valentines Day which left them dishing out $20.00 in food costs for $5.00 to the same opportunists who were buying the coupons literally by the dozen. 2) It's nearly impossible to get a live person on the phone. 3)Can't cancel contract for two years. In conclusion, the wife immediately made good on the original purchase - and I had informed them of yet another reason why they will cancel their contract at the end of 2 years.