I have used this store and actually, this same leading (volume) salesperson, twice, over a 7 year period. Solid hardwood was purchased and installed by CE in both instances. While the first purchase and installation proceeded fairly smoothly, we did note large gaps in between the wood slats at the installation and since the installation. Others having observed the floors, and knowledgeable in wood flooring, said the same thing. I figured that it must have been the milling, as the product is made in China. On this second install, a different installer, but both with CE, confirmed that many things were not done properly, and yes, asked why the installer didn't tighten up the gaps between the slats before nailing them. He confirmed that the problem was not the milling. With job 1, each time I observed a problem with the installation, the installer acted as though it was my responsibility to bring problems to his attention, not his burden to maintain quality control. In both jobs, I asked about the origin of the flooring and the salesperson--both times--said that it would prove a huge ordeal to determine where it was from. In both jobs, the boxes say "made in China" on them. Yes, I prefer American or Canadian wood, although such is getting harder to locate. The second install was riddled with a "blow and go" approach to everything. Here I am in LA feverishly working on a real estate purchase and rushed home, driving 1,400 miles by car to meet my promise--to be present for the installation. The installer and salesperson are leaving conflicting texts as far as the dates. Once I arrive home, the installer I was promised is not present. Instead, his workers come. They did -- from what I can see-- a super job, why I was challenged giving them 1 star. But if staff are installing, why not tell the customer up front? I learn that the installers present do not have the needed T moldings, and it would be 2 months' delay to get these. The salesperson lets me scramble home from CA (doing an all nighter, barely eating, and more) all the while knowing, but not telling me, that the installer will actually have to facsimile or hand make the T moldings, because they were back ordered. Why didn't he call me and give me the option of postponing the installation? I am told that the second half of the money is due at the installation. Instead, this hurried salesperson demands payment the day BEFORE the flooring is installed. The installers pressure me to install the wood without the customary acclimation process, i.e., letting the wood sit inside the home for 2-3 days. The installers did not know where the wood was going to be installed. I explained this all in grave detail previously to the CE measurer. The installers did not know that I was donating wood from job 1 to job 2 for the closet. This is scary, the poor communication having ensued despite the unbelievable sacrifices I made to be present for the installation. Once the wood is installed, and during the actual installation, I tell the salesperson that I don't have a large balance credit card and will have to pay the remaining half with a check. He calls no less than 11 times, demanding payment. Do you think he was calling to inquire as to whether I was pleased with the work or the quality of the wood? No. Just wants the money. This alone was frantic, rude and neurotic. I paid them the same day of the installation, hand delivering a check to them. I had been out of state for a month. The product itself varies tremendously from the sample. The finish has large scalloping / ripples in it with a honey oak hue. The sample was a true light birch color. In summary, the less rushed staff here were kind and the high volume person was in too big of a rush to be effective. It's a bad used car buying experience here. I'm a small real estate developer and buy thousands of dollars in flooring, lighting and paint monthly. This was more painful than anything I can remember. read more