Carpet from big box store?
 

Now that we are pet-free (sniff) it's time to replace the master bedroom carpeting. Rest of the house is hardwood and tile, but DH likes carpeting in the bedroom. We are 30+ miles from a flooring store, but looked at carpeting at HD and Lowes yesterday. Their nicer carpeting looks fine for what we need-it's a low traffic area and no pets. Does anyone have experience with carpeting from a big box store? Thanks!

I don't know about big box stores but I did want to mention padding. Years ago we put carpeting in our bedroom and in an effort to be economical picked a thin pad. I've regretted it ever since. I have another room with a thicker pad and it feels so nice and cushy where our bedroom is rather flat. I think part of it is the pile of the rug too as that rug does have a lower pile.
Something else to consider, if the room is not too big, is remnants. Flooring stores have "remnants" that are big enough to be wall-to-wall in some rooms (or maybe need one seam in an out of the way place). The color choices may be limited but worth a look. I think one room we did that way is about 12 x 14.

Talking with my brother, he has put HD carpet tiles in his master. Since we both have pets, this is perfect for vomit and accidents. Once a tile gets too soiled to clean, just remove and replace. My house is ceramic tile thru-out so just putting some under and around the bed and enough around the living room furniture. Will get an extra case for replacements.

A year and a half ago we put new carpet in our master bedroom. Lowes higher end carpet and higher end padding. Two weeks after we got it my little dog got sick on it from her south end and left a big mess with dribbles coming away from it. After the major clean-up I used a pet stain remover on the remaining residue on this medium green carpet. The carpet handled all of this very well and you can't even tell where it happened. So without the pets, I would think it should do very well in a low traffic area

Out front bedroom has hardwood floors, it needs carpet because the cold air comes up and that is the coldest room in the house. I used to handle homeowners claims and knew a great carpet installer/repairman etc. I called him because I wanted to protect the hard wood and there is a protective padding to put underneath and he also made a carpet to fit the room. (He finished the edges so it looks great.)

Carpet in master bedroom, sewing room and the bathroom all have carpet from a big box store (Menards or Lowes). They've all been in there 10 years now and only the bathroom has started looking shabby recently.

As the others have said ... get the BEST padding you can buy. If you have a budget to stick to, spend on the padding and save on the carpet.

Seems like I remember that you may be able to get away with a less expensive carpet if you get a good pad. Might look into this...

Lowe's usually has a sale come November where the pad is free with purchase of carpet. Talk to the sales person and ask when their sale will be. Their carpets are very nice quality. But as with every thing you get what you pay for. My BIL use to work for them -he's a carpet installer-and he put their carpet in my old house. Seeing as how you are in Ohio I know you see the commercials for Empire Carpet. DO NOT use this outfit -their carpeting and padding is the worst right along with their workmanship.

Happily, I'm carpet free these days, but years ago I was given that advice. I bought the best padding available and that carpet stood up forever.

Yes, the secret is good underlay and a good installer/layer.