During the last few years, we have heard many tales of woe from customers who we've managed to help out at the last moment.
Some had simply ordered mats from other suppliers that hadn't turned up, or they had been given delivery dates of up to 6 months !

Worse still, some customers were simply cheated - paying for mats that didn't turn up, expecting to receive 17mm thick mats and only 11mm turned up - or others who claimed on 'guarantees' only to find the words replacement or pay back weren't in the suppliers vocabulary - if the supplier was still around.

Check this out for one such outlet - http://www.solihullnews.net/news/solihull-news/2010/03/12/father-and-son-hid-firm-takings-105074-26020632/ (highlight, click, copy and paste into your browser to goto this news story).

So - here are some tips when choosing a supplier:

Telephone - Are the only contact numbers mobiles ?
Web Site - Is there an address shown?
Company Status - Are you dealing with a Limited company who will carry all the correct insurance risk cover?
Prices - Are the prices too good to be true? - if so they normally are - you're either buying low-grade materials, or imported goods that have side-stepped UK VAT and Duty - which may make you an accomplice !
Reputation - Talk to friends, look at Horse Forums - and don't be afraid to ask for credentials of any supplier.