I was shopping for carpet and I found two different samples from two different manufacturers that have the same color and item #. One is more expensive than the other. Is there any difference?

Be very careful in this situation. Make absolutely certain that the lesser expensive product is the same quality before you purchase it. I once recommended a certain retailer to some friends who were looking for new vinyl. They found the pattern they liked and asked my opinion. I was familiar with the brand and grade so gave them the o.k. On installation day, however, I was surprised to find that the vinyl they supplied for me to install was the same pattern, but a far inferior quality than the one I had originally looked at. They had found the same pattern at a different retailer for a third of the price. The salesman at the second store assured them that it was good quality, etc. so they bought it. Of course, I had their kitchen torn -up at this point and it was a weekend, so they opted to go ahead and have me install it. A year later, they were already unhappy with their decision. If the less expensive model is only slightly less expensive and you are pretty sure it's the same grade, take the better deal, if it's half, or a third the price, something is up. It can't be the same product. Take a very close look before spending your money.

Most carpet manufacturers sell to carpet buying groups and will label their products differently to try to prevent the shopper from comparison shopping. I would ask the salesperson for the specifications on the product such as pile weight and density so I could make an educated choice.