I'm not looking forward to writing this review but what happened to me with this business appears to have happened to at least one other customer and people deserve to know. So here it is...
I went into the store in April of 2021. I made an appointment and met Kristina and her husband Mikhal. Kristina was friendly and personable. I was fitted for my hat, decided on the design, put down a deposit of almost $300, and was told the hat would be completed in Jan 2022 (9 months later).
I had to move out of state during that time and as Jan 2022 approached, I began to reach out to see how things were progressing. Numerous times over the next 6 months I would reach out by email, and occasionally even through text (I eventually had Kristina's personal cell number) and would not receive responses. I was so excited about this piece of artwork, especially after having to leave NM. I waited and waited, hoping for a handmade beauty that connected me to my time there. I never received the hat and the details are listed below.
At the end of Jan 2022, Kristina called me back and told me that they had a number of personal/family issues arise and would be late on my hat. I'd like to consider myself a patient and tolerant person. I know unexpected events arise in life that are out of a family or business' control, and so I patiently waited. But no word, no reaching out to inform me of further delays, no offering of an accurate timeline for when the hat would be completed ever occurred. I initiated all communication throughout this frustrating experience.
On March 9, 2022, I was finally able to get ahold of Kristina again. She again said things had arisen for the family and there were about 5 other customers from around the same time that they were behind on. At this point, Kristina and I began texting. She sent me photos of my hat form that had been dyed and told me "now it needs to dry, then get blocked to your hat size, and then we're off the races."
The races never arrived.
I reached out on April 20, 2022 because I had heard nothing since the photos were sent. I expressed my understanding that they must have a lot going on, as well as my concern, and request for a timeline of when it will be done. On April 23, 2022, I was told my hat would be done by the following Wednesday or Thursday and then it would be ready for me to pick out the hat band.
Again, nothing.
May 4 2022, I checked in again... "You have been very patient and I am very grateful for that," Kristina responded.
May 24. 2022 More nothingness and at this point it was clear that this is just an absolute mess. This is when Kristina began to threaten to return my deposit. I told her I wanted my hat, not the deposit. I kindly asked her to call me, she said she would and did not.
On June 1 2022 (15 months after I put down my deposit) my aunt went to the store, which was closed. I'm going to say that my aunt is very skilled at being kind, patient, gentle, and de-escalating. She called the number on the door and Kristina was initially very friendly. However, as soon as she realized who my aunt was there for, Kristina became rude repeatedly saying "We do not work for Valerie. I am cancelling the order. We do not work for Valerie!"
They had my $300 sitting in their back account for 15 months and I did not receive the hat I had paid for, nor would they show my aunt the form they had apparently started on. Again, I am understanding and know life can toss us all the most unexpected obstacles but the lack of communication, the disrespect for a paying customer who values and appreciates your artwork so much that they would wait 15 months with no timeline for it, and the fraudulent actions of holding onto money without producing a product was all too much. So disappointing. I hope they are well, safe, and healthy. I hope I am the exception and they don't treat others this way. Very grateful those vibes won't be resting on my head after all! Sheesh.
Good luck, y'all. read more
