Buckeye Hardwood Floor Supply Inc

I was referred to Buckeye from a friend who had a good experience with them. I dealt with the owner Chad from the start. Trusted him, as he seemed knowledgable and we had a lot in common. Our first purchase sat in our house in boxes ( as directed) for two weeks until the day of install, when it was discovered it was the wrong finish. Chad swore he never told us that wood did not come in a distressed finish, but my wife and son also heard him confirm this the day we wrote the check. This set us back 3 weeks until an alternative was ordered. It was not our first choice, but one that Chad said would be good for two kids and a dog. We trusted him and agreed. We also expected some normal wear, as we understood with a dog and two kids it won't alway look perfect, but we thought it would add to the character of the natural product. After 5 weeks of plywood floors our installer got to work. After the first day, the installer said "something is wrong" This is the best installer in the NE ohio. He is a true craftsman. He noticed that when my dog laid on the new wood, just from him sliding his paw, the wood was scratching. He really began to check the wood and said the finish is "...inconsistent from piece to piece and it's crap... for what you paid for this, I would not accept it". Upon hearing that I had the installer stop until I talked to Chad from Buckeye Floor. Chad and the manufacturer rep came out twice to take pictures and even took a sample to send to "...the lab for analysis...". Of course, nothing was found faulty in their analysis. Both times they came out Chad said nothing in front of the rep, but after the rep left he admitted to me "....you definitely have a problem here...but don't worry I will make it right...". He said he would make it right on several occasions throughout this ordeal. Not only did the finish mar / scratch horribly but the edges of the boards began to flake and splinter even in low traffic or NO traffic areas. Again, we used the BEST installer in the area, so poor installation was not the problem. After the second visit from the manufacturers rep, they declined the claim. I went back to Chad at Buckeye since he is the one that I wrote my check out to... and said "...well I was patient, I waited to give them a chance to fix the problem, now what?". His reply suddenly changed from " I will make it right... " to "...I'm sorry man, my hands are tied....". He ultimately told me he felt like my best course of action would be to threaten the manufacturer with a lawsuit and see if they would settle. I thought he was a good man, and I gave him every chance to make it right, as he promised. I now have a 9 month old wood floor that cost me 10k after installation and it looks like its got twenty years of hard wear on it. I would suggest spending your money elsewhere. I have contacted the better business bureau, Angies List, and the HBA. I have never filed a suit against anyone, but I may now. My real mission is to make sure that this does not happen to anyone else. Please beware.