Window Blind Distributors

I was referred to Window Blinds Distributors by my contractor. We went to visit their showroom and picked out our preferences and scheduled an appointment for them to measure and estimate the cost of placing solar shades in our unit. Everything went smoothly until the they came to install the shades. They seemed completely out of their comfort zone. They could not measure the fascia accurately. The shades were misaligned and they kept dropping the metal casing onto our new wooden floor causing scratches. Also, the wrong shades were placed in the wrong rooms and some of the shades were torn. In addition, they produced an excessive amount of dust when placing the shades. When we informed them of these deficits, we were told that they would be taken care of in the second visit. We decided to give them the opportunity to correct their mistakes. Needless to say, the first visit was far from professional. Some of the defects that I documented from their second visit include the living room fascia and shades secured on an angle, the guest bedroom shades incorrect pull position, limited upward movement of the second shade, a jammed up pull cord on shade #3, and an off center shade. Also, the shades in the master bedroom were hung at uneven lengths and there was a loud motor sound when they were lowered. The fascia and shades were secured on an angle and the fascia didn't reach the wall so the wires were exposed. They also left multiple holes in the ceiling where the shades were placed originally on first visit. When I contacted them to complain about the finished product, they charged my card before addressing my complaints. On their third visit, I was very blunt about their poor quality of work. Jorge got defensive and started arguing with me and admitted that they should have ordered a different size shades for the rooms. He insisted that he would place another order. When we politely asked them to reverse the charges on the credit card until we were satisfied with their work they refused because they did not want to incur the service fee to reverse the charges. Fortunately, we had recourse with our credit card company who refunded our charges, sent WBD a letter, and allowed WBD a 45 day window to provide a rebuttal. WBD did not respond in the 45 day period. During that 45 day period we were in a state of limbo and were unable to proceed with our further renovations. We were forced to live in our new place with unpacked boxes scattering the living room. Finally, when the 45 day window expired, we were then able to proceed with finding a new window treatment contractor (Kolor Shades and Window Treatment). The new contractors not only installed beautiful shades, they were also able to correct some of the damage left by WBD. We were extremely satisfied withe their work. Their work is featured on Houzz. Realizing that they had no way to recoup their money, WBD went on the offensive. In early December 2012, we received a email from Window Blind Distributors stating that they wanted to pick up the items and would be placing a lien on my property if we did not comply. We stated that we were in the process of having another contractor remove the items and once their work was completed we would be happy to have the items returned to WBD. Once our new window treatment contractor completed their work (which took them half a day and without the dust and scratches to our floor), we contacted WBD for a second time to pick up their materials. WBD responded and I made it conditional that someone would have to sign off stating that their materials were not damaged upon retrieving the items. We traded emails throughout January 2013 and finally there was no response from WBD. I then stated that we would be disposing of their items. Soon after, WBD responded by having their lawyer draft a letter stating that I was liable for the costs their work. Based on their behavior, it seemed like they wanted their materials but were going to say that we had damaged them. We contacted their lawyer on numerous occasions without any response. In July 2013 I received a summons to appear in small claims court to settle the suit brought by WBD. After appearing before the judge, we agreed to resolve the dispute in mediation. However, WBD was insistent that we pay the total cost. We refused and a court date was set. Luckily, being an Angie's List member provided us with some recourse. I contacted my contractor and asked him to resolve this matter since he was the one that had referred me to WBD. I informed him that if he could not help with the resolution of the matter, I would post a poor review on Angie's List. He immediately contacted WBD and worked out a solution where he payed WBD $1500 and soon after the suit was dismissed. We then returned the materials to WBD. Apparently, WBD has been in the business for 25 years. However, they clearly were not capable of performing quality work in a modern condominium. Not only were they ill equipped to do work in our unit, but they ruined our new bamboo floors and insisted that we pay for their poor craftsmanship. When that was out of the question, they requested the materials back and threatened to place a lien on my property. When we offered to return their materials allowing them to inspect it and sign off that they received it in good condition, they threatened to sue us. When we tried to contact their lawyer to come to a settlement, we received no response. Even when we went to court and agreed to mediation, WBD insisted we pay the full amount. Thankfully we had Angie's List as a recourse and leverage to avoid litigation and reach a resolution!! It was not surprising to have contractors provide poor quality craftsmanship, that's why Angie's List exists, it was the audacity of these contractors to expect payment for poor craftsmanship after damaging my property and then elevating it to litigation that was truly surprising and upsetting.