Glass & Crystal Restoration by Giovanni

The experience was very disappointing. Though I don't know how much repairing these items would truly cost, my biggest concern was that when I asked him for an estimate he brushed away my question, implying it would be inconsequential and I shouldn't even be asking. Not having experience in these matters I assumed he meant a few dollars for each item, perhaps a total of 50-100 dollars tops. He found two new bobeches that looked identical to the ones I had had, which was indeed impressive, but later by phone he said that the French china bowl, to be reassembled for use fwould cost $250, and that he could do it for much less so that it wouldn't be used but at least would be intact. The soap dish looked awful, with a dark line where the break had been. For the whole thing he charged me $480.00. Furthermore, he had written up the bill for March 28th, and when we talked by phone a full month later he still didn't indicate what it would cost me. I was just shocked, and mad at myself for not having forced him to give me even an approximate estimate. I felt I had been bullied, in a sense, into not asking. He is an interesting character and perhaps does good work, but his patronizing and unprofessional manner was unacceptable. If you use him make sure to get a written estimate, and if anything will end up costing more to make sure he explains why and clears it with you before going ahead.