Wood Flooring - Colour variation?

[stoobloo]

We ordered (based on a sample) some solid oak flooring, and the colour doesn't match the sample at all. The manufacturer is saying it's what they would expect, it's the same flooring as the sample is.

Is purchasing any and all wood flooring subject to this, or are we being 'fobbed off'?

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Timber being a natural material does have variation in colour and grain. No two trees are alike and even the method of conversion (from log to plank) can make quite a difference