Window treatment/Blinds

I took pictues of my home so the agent could see the shape of my windows. I have eyebrow arches on 4 of my windows. I was told no problem and i ordered window treatments for 13 of my windows. I was a nghtmare from the beginnng and only got worse. The blinds are not recessed (as shown in the store) as I ordered. I was later told this manufacturer (levelor) did not make blinds that could be recessed.. and I would have to buy bali blinds for that. However, I was told by a contractor that was sent to my house to review the situation that the blinds were installed improperly and would be expensive to redo so that is why i was told they did not make them. None of the eyebrow arched windows have anything to cover the arched section. I have blind across the main part of the window & the arch is left open. This is the ONLY reason we did not do the windows/blinds ourselves. I was told it would be taken care of. Well a few months later, after the blinds were installed - oops, the contractor did not handle eyebrow arches and did not know what to do to fix the gap. Every time I contact them for resolution, I was given a new agent, manager, assistant, etc that was very willing to resolve upon the initial conversation. I was assured each time that they was something they would be able to arrange to resolve. Home Depot sent representatives from different companies and other contractors to look at the windows but nothing was done. This went on for months - months - months -- Finally i was told the contractors were sent out as a "courtesy" to me and if i wanted to hire them to do the arches - that was up to me, ?? So I contacted the contractor only to find out that the would only remove all that home depot had done and redo from scratch because they could not be responsible for the poor installation that was already in my windows. I was also told by the contracstor that home depot had contactor other contractors and was told the same thing. A customer service manager of Home Depot, Clarence Thomas, from the corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia, which I was told is the highest person in corporation, told me it would cost me $4300.00 more to get it done the way I first requested it as none of their contractors handle this types of windows and they would have to hire an outside contractor to fix... I contacted Frank Blake which is the CEO of Home Depot and was told "Mr Blake does not speak directly to members of the general public. He only responds to the media." and was referred back to Clarence Thomas who will not respond. It has almost been a year. I was sent a $300.00 Home Depot gift card for my inconvenience. My inconvenience of having to live wih shabby, half done windows. Remember, I took pictures of my windows so there would not be ANY misunderstandings.

Comment On This

Who did your measuring? You or Home Depot? Inside mounts are only available if you have enough depth for the product to fit, usually 1 1/2" deep for cellulars, un-interupted depth. Each product has a minimum depth requirement to mount the blind properly for support, and it can vary by product. Not all windows can handle inside mounted blinds. Your window depth can limit your choices.

Templates are required for any arch that is not a "true" arch. Any major blinds manufacturer will require a template for uneven arches. Eyebrow arches are NOT true arches. A true arch is a perfect half-circle, or one half the height of the full width.

(example 15"tall and 30"wide) It sounds like someone ordered true arches for your eyebrow shaped window.

If you provided measurements, you are responsible for the accurate sizing. But If you paid Home Depot for a professional measure by their partner sub-contractor, then the sub-contractor should be responsible and Home Depot will settle with them as they are under contract.

A professional measure and install is a guarantee of accuracy in blinds sizing and installation. It usually costs $25-$40 per headrail, on top of the cost of your blinds. It takes two trips, one to measure, one trip to install. But you are paying for a professional service.

If you provided your own measurements it is your responsibility to do your homework in advance and know how to measure properly, and ask the right questions regarding fit and limitations.

Custom-made products require the utmost accuracy in all measurements as there are no refunds for special orders. There are many free brochures by major blinds companies that can show you how to measure properly. The internet also explains proper measuring. As a do-it-yourselfer, you take-on the burden of accuracy.

If Home Depot provided the measure service, Your complaint should first be taken to the store Expeditor responsible for blinds, then store manager, for proper protocol.

A photo does not show proper dimension or sizing, and should not be relied upon in place of actual dimensions.

I believe, Your acceptance of a $300 gift card is considered a "term of agreement" that you have settled your dispute for that value.

Sincerely, A gal with past window blinds experience !