I don't think I have ever taken the time to give a review for anything before, but for this I cannot leave unsaid... DO NOT EVER GO HERE! I found Smith's after a quick google search for an upholstery shop in Athens - not seeing many other options, I went there because of their said "4 star" review. All I needed done was just a SIMPLE button cap replaced on a couch seat cushion. I got to his shop first thing when they opened, and from the start, noticed that he was short with me and seemed a little frustrated. But, he said he would go ahead and do the repair right away if I wanted to wait. After about 10 minutes his wife dragged out the cushion to give to me - Except there was now a nickle-sized hole popping out of the cushion fabric from underneath one side of the button. It was very obvious that the fabric had been cut or torn in some way, and the white batting from the cushion was now showing through from underneath the button. I know for a fact that there was absolutely no hole in the fabric when I brought the cushion in, because I actually took a picture of it before I went in. Absolutely shocked at what I was seeing, I questioned his wife about the hole and all I heard from Mr. Smith from around the counter was an angrily "THAT HOLE WAS ALREADY THERE, JUST GET ON OUT OF HERE! GO!! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!" I insisted that something was not right, and that something needed to be done. He continued to yell and berate me, claiming "YOU YOUNG PEOPLE JUST COME IN HERE AND TRY TO TELL ME HOW TO DO MY JOB. NOW GO ON! I SHOULD HAVE NEVER DONE THIS ANYWAYS, IT AIN'T WORTH MY TIME!" Continuing to insist that I was not leaving with my cushion in the condition it was, he ended up taking it back. I watched him try to fumble around with the button in an attempt to shift it over to "hide" the hole. He then proceeded to cut the button off again and began to try to stitch the fabric back together where he cut the hole - all while continuing to grumble and yell at me from behind the counter. Brought back out to me, the hole and tear in the fabric was still showing, and I continued to say so. He yelled for me to "just not to mess with it" - which is a crazy suggestion given that it is a couch cushion that you sit directly on, over and over. He then demanded that I just leave and never come back, all while NEVER ONCE asking to be paid the $25 he said upfront was his "minimum charge" for anything. Still in absolute shock at what had just happened and the manner in which a business owner was handling a situation and treating a customer, I took my cushion and left. Long story short - that afternoon I found DTM Upholstery in Watkinsville who went above and beyond to try to repair what had been done. I cannot say enough about their genuine care and service. Confirming what I had predicted had happened, they showed me how he did in fact either mistakingly cut the fabric with his scissors while removing the button - or in a rushed and lazy effort, yanked the end of the string through which could have been caught on the fabric, causing the tear. I also learned that this was not the first thing they have been brought after a incorrect and cut-corners job done by him... and that was his known reputation. While you don't often expect a professional to mess up such a common and routine repair, I understand that people do mistakes. However, there is no reason, whatsoever to behave and treat a customer in that way, all while never admitting or owning up to their mistake. That is where the true issue laid. It was the most surreal and unprofessional experience of my life, and I can't even understand how he is in business. I am sure he has made some customer "pleased" with his work, but to know that a business owner is capable of handling a situation is such a way is mind-blowing. So if you read all of that and made it this far, please consider this your warning of what you may encounter at Smith's Upholstery Studio. Don't waste your time - just go on over to DTM Upholstery instead! read more

What a complete jerk! As a local interior design, I found the owner to be rude and unprofessional. I will keep taking my business to Atlanta if Smith's Upholstery is my only option in Athens. read more