American Blinds and Wallpaper - Decoratetoday.com - In late June, I called American Blinds & Wallpaper (decoratetoday.com) to order a set of wood blinds. The salesperson I spoke with seemed uninterested in answering my questions. In fact, during our brief

American Blinds and Wallpaper - Decoratetoday.com - In late June, I called American Blinds & Wallpaper (decoratetoday.com) to order a set of wood blinds. The salesperson I spoke with seemed uninterested in answering my questions. In fact, during our brief conversation she asked for my credit card number twice, although it was clear that I needed more information before I could place the order. I decided not to order at that time.

American Blinds and Wallpaper - Decoratetoday.com

In late June, I called American Blinds & Wallpaper (decoratetoday.com) to order a set of wood blinds. The salesperson I spoke with seemed uninterested in answering my questions. In fact, during our brief conversation she asked for my credit card number twice, although it was clear that I needed more information before I could place the order. I decided not to order at that time. A few days later, I received an email from American Blinds with a coupon for significant savings. I called on July 2, and this time I spoke with a friendly, helpful salesperson. My questions were answered and I placed the order. I received the blinds on July 13. There were several problems. Both mounting brackets had obviously been used before. Paint was scratched off one and some paint had splattered on the other. One bracket was so dented that it would not snap shut, rendering it useless. Also, one of the wood slats was warped. Turning the wand was difficult and produced a loud noise. The valance's returns (sides) were too long and stuck out so far from the door that the valance could not be attached to the blinds. I called American Blinds' customer service on July 14 and was promised a new set of blinds. The representative blamed me for not specifying the measurements of the valance returns. Yet, when I placed the order, I wasn't asked for that information. One of my questions had been about the length of the returns, and the salesperson said that the product would be sized correctly. Further, at the time I placed the order, I had no way of knowing the depth of the blind's top mechanism; therefore, I could not have determined the proper measurements. (I later checked their online order form: there is no place on it to specify the valance's return size.) The replacement arrived on July 29. The new set was better, but it also has its share of defects. The valance's returns are, once again, too long. Although the packing slip has the correct size printed on it, the valance returns are a half-inch longer. The wand has no hook, so it cannot be attached. (What is so odd is that, instead of a plastic hook, the wand's end has a plastic piece with a hole. That would work if the blinds mechanism had a hook, but it also has a hole.) I attached the wand from the first set of blinds and discovered that when I turned the wand, the blinds made the same awful noise as the first set. I called customer service again and was promised a new valance. (I am currently waiting for it.) I also asked about the noise, but the representative said that if it was working, it wasn't defective. I told her it was odd that these didn't work as smoothly as the blinds they were replacing: a set of inexpensive plastic blinds from Wal-Mart. This representative, like the first one, failed to offer an apology. Unlike the first representative, this one seemed to lack even the most basic knowledge of the product. On August 12, I called customer service to find out the status of the order. The representative promised to call me the next morning with a response. The call never came, so I called customer service again. I was told that they had placed an incorrect order to the manufacturer, were notified that the order should corrected and re-ordered, but they failed to re-order for no apparent reason. This representative promised to place the re-order. I asked to speak to a supervisor, who agreed to have the order shipped 2nd day air. I also sent a message to the CEO’s email address. A "Customer Service Specialist/Decorating Consultant" replied and said the valance would be shipped via 2nd day air and that I would be notified soon about the ship date. I was never notified about the ship date. On August 27, I received valance number 3, which had been shipped UPS ground. The packing slip had the correct valance size printed on it, but the valance was the wrong size again. I sent an email to decoratetoday.com and am waiting for a reply. Believe it or not, I’ve omitted some things in an attempt to be brief. The first five customer service representatives I talked to didn’t offer anything close to an apology. I have been polite in all my communication. Patrick H.

Patrick H Click this link to e-mail the above consumer: //