Tropical Wholesale Inc

They were very knowledgeable.

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The Tin Men Early March, 2011 I responded to an advertisement in my local newspaper for "WANTED 10 HOMES OR BUILDINGS NEEDING PAINT! - NO GIMMICKS - NEVER PAINT AGAIN!... We need 10 homes to advertise a new vinyl siding product that covers all exteriors including Walls, Eaves, Patios and Fascia, Wood and Stucco Areas, etc. Call, email or mail your information to Tropical Wholesale, Inc. today". Mike Houar 1 responded rapidly to my request for an estimate. The Confidence Man In addition to the possible siding, Mike Houar 1 suggested that Tropical Wholesale, Inc. could make several needed repairs to our home, replacing our deteriorating deck, replacing our deteriorating front steps, renovating our master bathroom, and replacing several windows. He was very cordial and appeared to be very attentive to our ideas and concerns. Over the following few weeks Mike Houar 1 came to our home several times bearing gifts and we provided him detailed information regarding what we wanted. Mike Houar 1 informed us that the Simonton windows that Tropical Wholesale, Inc. were to install in our home would qualify for various rebates at which time I informed Mike Houar 1 that if the rebates were based on tax liability, we would not qualify due to our low taxable income. Mike Houar 1 informed us that there were rebates available directly from the manufacturer. Mike Houar 1 was very skilled at gaining our confidence and assuring us that all of our concerns would be addressed and resolved to our satisfaction by Tropical Wholesale, Inc. On May 25, 2011 Mike Houar 1 requested payment from us of $1,368.75 for "Planning and Permitting". We paid the requested amount but no receipt was provided. On June 2, 2011 Mike Houar 1 requested payment from us of $5,500 for "purchase of materials". We paid the requested amount but no receipt was provided. On September 17, 2011 Mike Houar 1 emailed us requesting that we create a list to prioritize the various projects in order of importance. I replied as follows: Our first priorities are replacing the deck and front entry which are rotting to the point of being unsafe. Our second priority is to replace the toilet and faucet in the master bathroom because they are no longer functioning properly. Our third priority is to replace the tub/shower in our master bathroom with a shower. Our fourth priority is to replace as many windows as we can. Our fifth priority is the siding. In early August, 2011 in anticipation of the project beginning, Yuko and I spent a few days selecting possible materials and I emailed a list of possible selections to Mike Houar 1 requesting his recommendations. He did not respond. The Bait And Switch On November 17, 2011 the work crew arrived to begin the window installation project. After they had delivered the windows, I immediately observed that the windows which I had special ordered for the master bedroom did not have the grids installed as specified. On November 18, 2011 the work crew arrived to begin installing the windows in the front of our home. It was immediately obvious that none of the four windows they were to install had been fabricated to the correct measurements. The work crew partially installed one window then left for the day. On November 19, 2011 Matt Houar arrived with his son Mike Houar 2 and demanded the first payment of the contract for the amount of $18,277.50. We paid the amount but no receipt was provided. Together, Matt Houar, Mike Houar 2, Yuko, and I looked at the windows that had been delivered for our master bedroom and I again pointed out that the grids were not installed as specified. I asked Matt Houar whether the glass sliding door was built to open from left to right as specified. Matt Houar replied, "If that's what you ordered, that's what you got". On November 23, 2011 the work crew arrived and I discussed with them setting an easily completed goal for the day before the Thanksgiving weekend. They agreed to complete the rough-in installation of the master bedroom windows. The workmanship was unacceptable. On November 27, 2011 I spoke with Mike Houar 2 on the telephone and informed him that the master bedroom window workmanship was unacceptable. He came to our home and inspected the work and agreed that it should be reworked. On November 28, 2011 the work crew arrived in the morning and reworked the master bedroom windows. On November 29, 2011 the work crew arrived in the morning and was unprepared to complete the window installations. They were prepared to begin the siding project. I informed the work crew that the siding project was the last of the projects we had planned and budgeted for. The work crew then collected all of their tools and departed the work site leaving a pile of materials behind. On December 5, 2011 I spoke with Mike Houar 2 on the telephone regarding if there was a plan to make a plan to complete the window installation. Mike Houar 2 said that he would call me back. Mike Houar 2 did not call back. On December 6, 2011 I spoke with Matt Houar on the telephone regarding if there was a plan to make a plan to complete the window installation. We agreed that no new projects should be started until after the holidays but that the window installation could be completed during the next week if the replacement windows had arrived in the shipment that Tropical Wholesale had received the previous weekend. Matt Houar said he would call me back. Matt Houar did not call back. On December 14, 2011 I spoke with Matt Houar on the telephone regarding the scheduled date for completion of the window installation. Matt Houar said that he thought we had agreed not to perform any tasks until after the holidays. I reminded Matt Houar that I had suggested that no new projects be started until after the holidays, but we had agreed to complete the window installation sometime this week. Matt Houar stated that he would call me back. I clarified that HE would call Me back. Matt Houar did not call back. On December 21, 2011 I spoke with Matt Houar on the telephone regarding the rebates for the windows partially installed by Tropical Wholesale and if there was any documentation that needed to be completed by the end of the calendar year. Matt Houar informed me that he was occupied and would call me back. Matt Houar did not call back. On December 21, 2011 I left a voice mail message for Mike Houar 1 on the telephone regarding the rebates for the windows partially installed by Tropical Wholesale. Specifically, to ensure that any documentation that needed to be completed by the end of the calendar year be completed in a timely manner. On December 25, 2011 I received an e-mail correspondence from Mike Houar 1 stating that "a meeting may be in order as you state, and we will arrange that as soon as everyone is back to work. Since we have attempted to accommodate you with several changes on the windows, we also have been attempting to provide the best service for you. Since there have been changes, there have been delays in production of some of the widows- which by the way - are all custom one of a type sizes- and we dont have those in yet to install. No attempt to delay has taken place due to negligence. We simply cannot install what is not on hand. Going forward, we look to better communication and cooperation from all sides. We are the professionals and we certainly can do this project to a high degree of quality. The stress that is a normal side effect that occurs when people work in your home will be minimized if we can let our men move forward without micro management. We have successfully completed over 7500 projects in Hawaii, and are familiar with what is takes to bring this project through. We will dilligently and consistently prosecute this project. Your trust and your patience will be greatly appreciated". For the record, Yuko and I had requested 1 change regarding the type of windows to be installed beside the bay windows. I had spoken to the apparent lead of the work crew on November 22, 2011 to inform him that I was deliberately keeping clear of the work area and to let me know if he felt that I was trying to micro manage the crew at any time. On December 29, 2011 I received a CC of an e-mail correspondence from Matt Houar to Mike Houar 1 stating that "So as the new year turns we should be ready to go". On February 2, 2012 I contacted the Simonton Windows District Sales Manager Mr. Brian Mildenberger by telephone to request that a representative from Simonton get involved in resolving the ongoing issues we have regarding the purchase and improper installation of the windows. We have received no response from Simonton Windows or Tropical Wholesale, Inc. at this time. In March 2012 a new crew suddenly arrived and began reworking what the first crew did, then continued with the contract at which point things got much worse. Take The Money And Run In summary, the time that we were dealing with Tropical Wholesale, Inc. was the worst year of our lives. They failed to install things properly, switched many of the products that we contracted for with inferior products, degraded the hurricane clips installed on our roof, and were very unprofessional throughout the entire process. Naturally, Tropical Wholesale, Inc. refuses to stand by their work or follow up on any of the warrantied work. DO NOT do business with Tropical Wholesale, Inc.!

Initially very happy with service. Removed original jalousie windows and glass sliding patio doors and replaced all with vinyl, double-insulated (awning type) windows 2012. Windows made big difference in heat loss/gain. However, two months ago, discovered large leak in bathroom window during heavy rainstorm. Since then, my frustration has increased with attempts to correct/fix window. I have dealt with Matt Houar, the owner. My notes since my first contact show that he initially did not return my emails, phone calls. When he finally did after a couple of weeks, he inspected and took photos. We did a water test which confirmed the leak. However he could not determine the source of the leak. He then sent out a foreman, Ki to also inspect. Ki also could not determine the source of the leak. He attempted to caulk around the suspected area of the leak, but could not find any definite problem, saying they would have to replace entire window. He gave me an estimate to 2-4 weeks to replace the window. *UPDATE: Subsequent to my initial comments, Houar has contacted me twice to advise me of the status. As we discussed and agreed, this is not a workmanship problem, but is a manufacturer's problem. To that end, he has ordered a replacement window which he states is now in shipment and should be here by week's end. He has additionally taken the initiative to do the repairs at his own expense under the manufacturer's warranty. As a result, I have updated my rating and look forward to working with him to correct the situation.

From the beginning Tropical was professional and easy to work with. They kept appointments, showed up and did the work. As is with all large jobs, they ran into a few problems- dealt with them, kept me informed, and got the job done. I highly recommend them.

Everything went smoothly. The project was organized and well managed. The installers were professional and experienced.