A Dundee carpet shop owner is furious after discovering a city rival has copied his company’s flyer word for word.
Laszlo Kohanyi, director of 4 Seasons Carpets in Lochee, regularly keeps an eye on the local market and came across a competitor whilst browsing online, Carpet World.
He was shocked to see the other business, who operate from West Gourdie Industrial Estate, has exactly the same words as his flyer in its Google description.
He said: “I started to read the description of Carpet World and thought ‘wow, this sounds familiar’.
“I had a look at my flyer and word for word, it’s exactly the same as mine.”
Complaint to Google
The two carpet Dundee businesses now share the same slogan, ‘Where we supply excellent service throughout the year!’
Among other similarities, the businesses both offer the same services and discounts.
Mr Kohanyi first left a comment in the review section on Carpet World’s Google profile.
He warned the firm to take down the copied information or credit his company.
He said: “I am furious. It’s obviously my work and they have stolen it.”
But the yarn doesn’t end there.
After getting no response from Carpet World, Mr Kohanyi then made his case to Google.
He claimed the rival had stolen his information and that it should be taken down.
But Google said Carpet World had not violated any policies. Mr Kohanyi’s request to remove the business description was denied.
Dundee carpet shop boss wants to ‘gain from this game’
Mr Kohanyi said: “I wouldn’t mind as much if it were in a different town, but we’re both in Dundee, it’s not a big place.”
4 Seasons Carpets has had the same flyer since it set up in Dundee in 2019.
Carpet World opened in March last year, and Mr Kohanyi is frustrated to see his work used without permission.
Mr Kohanyi feels business owners who use others’ work are “lazy”.
He said: “I don’t want to put shame on anyone, but I want to gain from this game.”
Carpet World Dundee did not comment.
