I should have read the reviews..others have had unsatisfactory experiences as well. I DO NOT RECOMMEND.
Bought from Door Outlet late last year when starting to have my first house built. Great price, great sales experience with Doug, left happy. I had the door installed (professionally) while having the house built. Once I moved in, I noticed on occasion that the wood floor at the front door was wet feeling, and starting to warp. I researched the issue and watched during storms. While checking the door during rain, I could not believe my eyes. The door was not leaking from underneath, nor down the sides, it was seeping THROUGH the door itself. Where the wood panels met, where the glass pane met the door, drops were streaming down the inside.
I reached out to Door Outlet about the issue, talking with Trevor (head of sales?) Though he listened to all of my concerns and frustrations and shared his empathy, the restraints of Door Outlet let him unable to help me. Apparently, Door Outlet does not have/keep invoices over 8 months old, and therefore had no confirmation that I had bought a door from them. Trevor let me know he'd have to hand my issue over to Don, the store manager. The day ends and no callback. I called again in the morning, left a vmail for Don. I repeated this in the afternoon. No callback. I receive a voicemail at 5:02 (after they close) from Don. He let me know that I need to prove (with receipt and invoice) that I purchased the door from them. They do not have any invoices (What kind of business is this?) Lucky for me I'm a researcher and planner and kept it all - I pull the original and call Don in the AM. No answer, no callback. I call Trevor, letting him know I have had a very hard time connecting with Don. He was happy to help, thanked me for the invoice information to share with Don.
I call Don the next day again. He tells me he matched my invoice (I don't believe him as he just said they don't have invoices) but he can't help as the door only had a 30-day warranty. I question this: nothing is written on the invoice/How would I know that?/Are customers informed of this,? etc. Don told me the manufacturer of the door, told me to call them.
Hours on the phone with the 'manufacturer' for them to confirm that they did not make the door. I call Don back, growing more frustrated with the lack of true information. Don lets me know that 'it doesn't matter who made it, it's not under warranty, there was no warranty on this door' I read my notes from the previous day's conversation back to him letting him know that he had told me it had a 30-day warranty. He told me that when it was sold, the warranty information was listed on the door. I checked my photos from purchase (taken moments before purchase) and can confirm that there is NOTHING listed on the door regarding warranty or manufacturer. Pair this with the fact that there is nothing notated on the invoice either.
Don lists 2 more potential manufacturers. (Why does this company not know where their doors come from?) I spent hours with each before one confirms that this was their door, but it was an INTERIOR door. I almost broke down in tears of frustration on the phone as door outlet sold this to me as an EXTERIOR door. I called Don with the news. No answer, no callback.
I switch to email; its becoming clearer that I need a paper trail for this nonsense. I shared my feelings about the lack of communication from Door Outlet, the lack of correct information, the lack of invoice/paperwork on the business side, the ignorance of their own door manufacturers and products. The next evening Don replies in mostly caps lock. Is he yelling at me? I try to give him the benefit of the doubt but it's getting hard.
Don tells me that I'll need to get a 3rd party to investigate. I (angrily inside) comply and get an approved professional door installer to come out. He took photos also, confirmed the leaking, and told me that in his personal opinion I should fight "tooth and nail" about this because it wasn't right. Don heard the guy out, apparently did not look at this photos, but deemed that nothing else could be done. I tried to get Don to reach out to the manufacturer, as they were eager to talk with him as well.
A week later I followed up (growing extremely jaded about getting any help at all). Nothing had been done on their end. I got Trevor back on the phone and he let me know that there was nothing further to do. He said that they purchase doors at auction and do not always know the conditions/details. The lack of warranty information, invoice retention, product knowledge, follow through, support..it's all taken its wear on me.
Still dealing with the issue..based on the past I am quite sure Door Outlet has decided not to provide support. I am out thousands of dollars on the door, floor, and repairs.
They need operational, service, and managerial improvements badly. If you go with them and you need support, expect to get ignored and shafted. read more