I should have learned sooner…read more
My first two orders from Blind Boutique (BB) were for a bathroom shower shade and plantation shutters. The newly hired full-time BB installer had to return to LEVEL the shower shade he originally installed. In addition, he drilled into the window frame for the lower shade chain holder, which he also did incorrectly: It was not centered with the upper chain holder, causing the shade fabric to hang lopsided, which he waved off. Yes, I paid someone else to make the repair.
Because the first order of shutters did not fit well, BB offered to replace them. The new measurements were taken by the BB hourly/per-job contractor. He included written notes as to how and why each measurement was determined. These were taken by the accompanying BB employee to the office.
The second replacement order arrived and was not at all what was finalized the day the BB rep and per-job installer measured and determined to be ordered, basically, wood with hidden tilt bars, a sash lever, and a 4 sided frame. What arrived were composite, with center tilt bars, no sash lever, and a 3 sided frame.
This installer for this replacement order was arrogant. When I asked why they were so heavy, he said "they're composite." I responded that they were to be wood. He said, "that's how they come." When I asked why the tilt bars were in the center, he responded "they match your porch doors" (because of the window grids, it had been decided we shouldn't have the center bars). When I asked about the 4 sided frame, he said he didn't know what I was talking about. Before leaving, he pointed out that the shutters would have to be actually lifted to be opened because they're composite, nothing can be done, and they'll just keep sagging because of the weight.
When I called the office upon his departure, he offered to return and adjust the shutters so they wouldn't be scratching the sill and removing paint when opened. Why didn't he adjust while he was installing? Because of his flippant communication while here and on the phone, neither my husband nor I wanted him back in our home.
It seems that too much was going at the office with my order and no communication was happening within the office or with me about order details and changes! I had started out telling people "the new BB on 17 is a place you might want to check out for window treatments; we ordered our plantation shutters from them." This was based on the early in-home consultant and per-job original installer. Why did BB change installers on my order and totally remove him from consulting about the order? From my experienceS with the full-time installer, he doesn't know what he's doing technically, and his attitude and customer relations skills need vast improvement.
My goal was to get shutters and to help the newly opened location. BIG MISTAKE. The owner may know about cabinets and counters, (he owns another location in downtown Mt. Pleasant), but he sure didn't exhibit knowledge during my experiences about plantation shutters or people he's employed.
Lengthy, I know. Just want to get the info out so people can be cautious. Months of waiting and disappointment took their toll. Now back at work on shutters and using a company that's been around for more than 3 decades.
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Incredible response on Google to the above GOOGLE REVIEW. I can assure you that NO ONE knew I was writing the above review. Remember, Valerie is it?, you phoned me twice in two days, asking me to " find it in my heart" to delete the review; offered to buy me dinner as an apology; didn't know anything about the situation that had been going on for several months until reading my review. Even went on to say you were going to speak to the installer about his behavior!
New business for you, as you stated several times on the calls. Maybe you should have been more on top of what was happening. So you now reply about an internal investigation. BS. You're trying to remove the responsibility that ultimately falls to you as an owner to who knows whom. Ridiculous. Shame on you.
New blinds are perfect: wood, no tilt bars, window sashes hidden, 4-side frames, and only a bit more than you were going to charge. Also, I'm glad you sent me a photo of the 1300$ reimbursement you were going to send to the employee who covered my down payment out of their personal account once they knew the order has not been as it should have. (Maybe you should have sent a copy of the cleared check - just to be totally above board.) Would you have even reimbursed
the employee had you not spoken to me?
You've some good reviews. Let this conversation be laid to rest.