In dealing with this customer, we did everything to resolve issues that arose in a timely and fair manner and, contrary to these specious reviews, processed the return of her deposit within 48 hours. Prior to beginning the job we received emails and phone calls expressing unfounded distrust and accusations of extortion along with threats of bad reviews on social media sites. Based on this irrational behavior we decided to not perform the work and return her deposit. In return, she has questioned our integrity, made patently false statements, and unleashed a tirade of attacks against our business. We have never had to cancel a customer's contract, will always timely refund a deposit if so warranted. Unfortunately, the way in which this matter unnecessarily escalated and the hostile threats made by this customer necessitated that we part ways before the relationship started. In light of the serious and unfounded allegations made by this customer, we are compelled to respond. We would like to present the facts that have caused this reviewer to turn angry and libelous, posting a misleading review on Angie’s List, a similar one on Yelp and clearly being behind 3 other, virtually identical 1 star reviews from different Yelp user names in a 48 hour period which has taken us from a 5 star rated company to a 3 star rated company on Yelp. Please look at the source credibility of the reviewer and observe of 43 Yelp reviews Brownie B. has made 67.4% (29/43) of her reviews are 2 stars or lower. Only 16.3% (7/43) of her reviews are 4 stars or higher. The other "reviewers" have zero or few previous reviews. If you look at our reviews dating to 2011 on Yelp we previously had 11 five star reviews (6 filtered). On Angie’s list not including this client's “F” review as of 7.27.13 All Covered Painting had 13 “A” reviews and 1 “B” review. Timeline: 7/9 customer hires us, signs contract, and pays standard deposit to schedule work. Work is tentatively set to start 7/25. 7/16 customer emails asking price difference to upgrade the paint she originally chose. 7/17 Rich replies sends an adjusted bid with a price increase of $420 (represents 28 gallons @ $15 / gallon (on a $6200 job)). Represents actual costs and does not include any markup. 7/23 customer emails Rich, stating she called Sherwin Williams about our paint pricing. Gets misinformation, leads her to believe the difference is $224 and demands we change contract to reflect price increase of $224. 7/24 7:12am Rich emails [member name removed] stating he is unsure who she talked to but the pricing they gave her is wrong and we cannot upgrade her paint at a loss to us. Gives her an “out” and says if you feel you can’t trust us and can’t agree to the $420 increase, we will let you out of your contract. 7/24 11am - 12:30, the customer leaves Rich two voicemails and sends an email, alleging we are attempting to charge her double (using the term extortion) because she is a woman and indicating that she likes writing online reviews, has written a lot of them, and she is sorry but if we cancel she would not be able to give us a positive review. If we do not get this straightened up, she would not expect us to show up the next day. 7/24 Rich calls me (Jason Kono, Owner) explaining the situation and his concerns regarding the customer's statements. Decide based on accusations of extortion and gender-bias (she stated Rich was treating her unfairly because she is a woman-an offensive and unfounded statement) and refusal to pay the actual costs for of upgraded paint, customer appears to have trust issues with us and based on current unhappiness is likely an unappeasable customer. Conclusion is it may likely be best to part ways. Rich is given authority for final decision. 7/24 12:37pm Rich responds to customer that he has called our paint store and double checked the prices. The difference was $21 dollars even though he only charged $15 a gallon upgrade. He asks Ballard store manager to call client and clarify this and let her know that she got the wrong information from Issaquah store. Apparently after this call, the customer agrees with the price as quoted by ACP. 7/24 afternoon, in light of the continued threats, decision to terminate contract is made and Rich emails saying “I respectfully decline moving forward with any of the work. It has been a rocky start to our business relationship and we haven’t even performed any work. I will send you a copy of the voided contract and we will send you a refund for the deposit you made.” 7/24 In response, customer calls, leaves another voicemail. Is increasingly hostile and angry that he has accepted her offer of canceling the contract that she made when she left a voicemail that morning. Threatens again she is going to write reviews about us and that we will not get an “A” rating if we do not show up the next day. Sends multiple emails to Rich, stating our “ultimatum sounds like extortion” I will be writing reviews about my experience with you, and that she has opened a dispute with Discover Card, accusing us of fraud and threatening that if we do not credit her card within 7 business days there will be further action. 7/24 7:28 pm, I, Jason Kono (owner), attempts 1st contact with customer and leaves vm saying. “Hi my name is Jason Kono I’m the owner of All Covered Painting, I wanted to give you a call and start off by assuring you that we are absolutely going to refund your money. Sounds like there was a lot of miscommunication today and I’d like to talk to you about the situation. Please call me at your earliest convenience; I am up until 9pm tonight or first thing in the morning.” I also send an email with a similar message. 7/24 7:52 pm, Customer responds to email says she does not have my number, then that she just wants refund. 7/24 8:24 pm, Via email, I respond and provide the customer with my cell #. State, “I understand you have been frustrated about this all day but whether or not we do the work which at this point is probably best we do not I would like to get a better understanding of your side and share ours. I feel some allegations were made on yelp that are incorrect or inaccurate and if you are going to leave a negative review the least I can ask is that they be accurate. I also respond that we will be issuing the refund as soon as possible. 7/24 11:48pm, Customer emails again addressing formal letter to Mr. Kono and Mr. Wall saying letter is “Official Notice or Complaint” Restates that deposit must be returned within 7 business days, says “I will not tolerate any more emails, phone calls or other contact making demands for contingencies on returning the balance” At this point has gone on Yelp and Angie’s list and accused us of fraud and keeping her money even though it has only been hours since we declined the work. 7/25 1:06 am, I email the customer an email which reiterates that we will be refunding the deposit and attempt to address her concerns. 7/25: The very next day, we begin processing the credit card refund. Due to the fraud allegations, this took additional steps. 7/25: in the interim, Customer emails Jason says “In the meantime to keep you honest I will be filing disputes with the BBB, Yelp and anything else I can think of. On August 2nd if payment is not received my balance either by check or credit card payment I will be filing a Small Claims Court Claim. The case # will be reported to Washington L&I where it will become part of your VERY PUBLIC contractor record. In the meantime I will updating my reviews on the progress of this resolution, I don't like being messed with and you and Rich both have tried to mess with me. If I find out that you are disparaging me in any way then further legal action may occur. Taking people's money and then not performing services is FRAUD! None of your reasons for not performing work or returning my money will stand up in court. I expect to see the credit on the Discover Card in 24 hours. I also expect to receive a letter stating the you, All Covered Painting wish to cancel the contract and am voiding the Contract dated 06/26/2013. They must contain the principal Jason Kono's signature. The original must be received by August 7th. 7/25: I respond, promising to meet. 7/25 Despite response, Customer sends another email shortening the deadline and stating,” The price your company will pay in your reputation is no satisfaction. Reviews on Angie’s List and Yelp, Google and others have brought down at least 2 businesses, I know of. And Yes I wrote reviews on them both. If you value your reputation then you should do the right thing and follow through on your promises promptly and a professional manner. You have been the contractor from hell.” 7/25 9:31pm, Customer emails Jason for 3rd time in 3 hrs saying “FYI. Because you refuse to promptly refund my money. I have initiated a chargeback with Discover. I also have sent an email regarding your dishonest and discriminatory practice of keeping a $2000 deposit and performing no work to the Snoqualmie Ridge Community. The email has been forwarded to residents in Sammamish, NewCastle and beyond. You are the biggest asshole I've ever met.” 7/26: 48 HOURS after ACP declined work, refund is completed on vendors side and forwarded to customer.