We went to LL Flooring on the recommendation of our contractor. We were not hindered by cost on this particular project and just had the priority of getting a high quality product that would last us for years to come. We really liked the sales person and he did ask us if we had pets or children that would be spilling water and we assured him that we had neither of those issues, but do have pets that have nails and need something that will stand up to very high traffic. We chose a product that was visually appealing to us and had a mid-high rating. We had the flooring delivered. The day the contractor started laying the laminate, he asked us about it because he said it was not laying well. As they progressed, there was a very large amount of waste because the edges were chipped and some of the edges were already warped. I called and the warehouse said to take it in; I had at least two cartons that had been opened that I took in at that time. The manager said that they do not accept any returns that have been opened. My question is how do we know that it is damaged until we open it? He said that is their policy and he gave me ONE carton. Due to all the damaged pieces, I ended up having to purchase 7 more cartons.
About 2/3 the way thru installation, my husband had a stroke. In the process of EMT's picking him up, a memorial statue containing straight bourbon was broken and spilled on the floor. We INSTANTLY mopped it up with towels, but in the few minutes it was on the floor ALL the pieces warped. We had to replace all those pieces. I spoke with John, the manager, regarding this and he just brushed it off and said he was unaware that alcohol would have a detrimental effect on the flooring.
On one of my visits to the store, I asked a salesman how to best clean the product and he responded, "just clean it." I had to ask several times before I was told about the Bella product that they sell and recommend for cleaning.
We were not hindered by cost and would have been willing to pay more for the product when we purchased it. The installation cost is as much as the product and once it starts going down it is next to impossible to have the contractors stop, pull up what they've installed and start over again. We ended up having to purchase 7 more cartons and using damaged pieces in areas covered by furniture and next to walls that we felt would not have any traffic. It has now been down a month and there are areas where the pieces are lifting and we are absolutely paranoid about dropping any liquid.
This was a large project for us that we were financially able to do and are now heartbroken and constantly on edge that we don't have the security of maintaining it long term. We feel that the service/education afforded to us was inadequate in the beginning, the response regarding cleaning was inadequate and flippant and the service/resolution to our problems due to their substandard product was criminal. read more