Complaints.com

From: Message Author
Date: Monday, 30-Jan-06 07:02:59 CST

Business Info

The Laminate Store, 11475 49th St. No., St. Petersburg, FL

877-748-1549

TO: Email User

RE: Shoddy installation and failure to repair/re-do moldings

On 9/17/05, we purchased laminate flooring, moisture barrier, and silencer plus quarter round molding for $1,797.60. On 9/18/05, we purchased an additional quantity of flooring and molding when the visit by the installer, Rick Widmer, showed that we could possible need more product. Mr. Widmer was hired at The Laminate Store and he came to our home on 9/17 and measured and set the installation date for 9/22/05. We understood that he would be the installer and paid him at the store for the installation.

On approximately 9/22, two people arrived to install the floor. They worked until approx. 5:00PM and then left for the day as they had not finished the one-day job and it was complete except for approximately 3 feet. When they left, we discovered that there was a large mark on the floor in the shape of a swoosh.

9/9/23, the job supervisor, a woman, and her assistant arrived before 8:00AM. I pointed out to her that there was a mark on the floor and went off to have a lab test. When I returned, there was a lot of oil or something on the floor plus all of the marks of hands and feet. The installer said she did not use oil. In any event, they were unable to get out the swoosh and had to take out 2/3rds of the flooring to replace the several boards marked. I requested that they call Rick Widmer and have him come over to see the floor. The inference was that we had moved furniture and marked the floor. Mr. Widmer was supposedly called but did not come over. Mid-day, the original helper left and another young man arrived to help with the installation.

Throughout the day, there was much grumbling and a lot more noise then the previous day. The work went on until 7:00PM. When they were ready to leave, I did an inspection and noted that the molding was not flush to the tile on the drop to the living room from the dining room; that there was original molding missing that had been taken off and not replaced, and that the molding around the fireplace was badly cut. The installer said that we needed to put books or weights against the molding to hold it there for 2 days and that the irregularities were because of the way the room was designed. As far as the missing molding, she said it was not her job to put it back which I did not agree with. She found a piece and put it up with something.

We removed the books from the molding as directed and noted that they were still not flush to the walls and other moldings and that there were actual gaps where the wood was not cut at correct angles. It should be noted that the molding was cut and re-cut by the young man with much carrying on.

We called Rick Widmer. He said he would come out and look at the job. And we called, and called and he set appointments and never arrived-- up until just before Thanksgiving when he finally, he arrived after I called the main phone number and complained to customer service. He said that the molding should have been put down with caulk and that he would pick up some new moldings and caulk and come back and re-do the moldings that were badly done. He also said that they were not responsible for putting the moldings down…. He never came back to do the work and did not return calls.

I called The Laminate Store on 12/16/05 and spoke to Freddy, a manager in customer service. He was going to get someone to come out and investigate the installation job. I was requested to send my original receipts and photos of the store. I took digital photos and sent them via e-mail and faxed the receipts to him that day. He assured me that he would have someone call to set up an appointment to come to the house and inspect the floor.

I called Freddy again and finally on 1/2/06, he said that I would hear from someone within 48 hours who would set up an appointment to come fix the moldings. I called him on 1/9 and he said it would be within 48 hours. It still did not happen. I called again the following week and he said that they were sending me a letter. I was really upset that this was not being pushed off. He asked me why I had waited so long to complain!!!!

On Jan. 16, they wrote a letter postmarked 1/18, postmarked from Tampa Florida: The Laminate Store International, 3018 US Highway 301 N. Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33619. A form letter filled in with “Dear Mr. &/or Mrs. Ray” stating that “we have forwarded your request for an inspection to W.L.I.N.A., which is the inspection company for The Laminate Store. W.L.I.N.A. charges $150.00 inspection fee, payable in advance to W.L.I.N.A. by the customer. We have conferred with them in reference to the fact that your moldings are coming up. They have given us a few reasons for the reason that your molding are coming up.

1. If the moldings were secure at the time of installation, the probability of the following is likely.

2. a. Someone removed the tape from the moldings during the 2 day cure time after installation.

3. b. Something was dragged across the moldings to cause them to lift out of their track or place between planks……”

Since I have two college degrees and my fianc