I recently had a horrifying experience with Ethan Allen.in the process of refreshening my interiors, I mistakenly purchased over $20,000 worth of furniture from them. The company's ordering, delivery, and customer service are abysmal. They made a mistake a minute.
Among other items, I ordered an $8,000 entertainment center. Ethan Allen sent three delivery men. Two of the three were obvious "guest workers." Only one could (barely) speak English. Not one of them was over 5'5". As you might imagine, they could not lift the furniture into the house. They complained that it was too heavy. The lead man "suggested" another unit.
I went into the store and spent an additional $3,000 to purchase a "lighter" unit. It just so happens that the new unit will only accommodate a flat screen television. So, I will eventually have to come out of pocket again for a new television. Meanwhile, my current television sits in the middle of the room.
If that was not bad enough, when Ethan Allen subsequently delivered the $6,000 leather chair, sofa, and ottoman, two tiny guest workers called me outside to inspect the goods. They asked me to examine the (heavy) furniture before they took it all the way inside. They then proceeded to point out several flaws in the furniture. I asked my mother to take a look and she said: "Are they kidding? This furniture looks as though it has been in a bar fight."
There was a huge gash across the back cushion. There were also several other bumps and lacerations on the piping and seams as well. The workmanship and packaging was extremely poor. All four witnesses agreed; this furniture was defective.
The delivery men told me that I did not have to accept the merchandise. They showed me where to write my refusal and list the reasons why. They told me that they had experienced a similar problem the day before.
I called Ethan Allen and no one would speak with me. I left several messages asking them to replace the merchandise. After two weeks of this, I finally got a call from the delivery center saying that my furniture was ready to be re-delivered. I thought, that was fast!
How did they perform so quickly? Ethan Allen was attempting to re-deliver the exact same merchandise. I said, "No way! I want new furniture." They told me that the furniture met "their" standards. What about "my" standards, I asked. "Who's the customer here?"
The Customer Service Agent then insisted that the flaws in the furniture were inherent in the leather itself. I asked her if she had seen the furniture. No, she said, she had not seen the furniture; however, the delivery center had assured her that the furniture was fine.
I reminded her that I had seen the furniture along with my mother and two Ethan Allen delivery persons. We all agreed that it was no good. Also, I informed her that over the years I had purchased a lot of leather goods—furniture, clothing, purses, shoes. I know what is inherent to leather and what is not. This furniture had been cut—with a knife or a box cutter.
Ethan Allen has continued to attempt delivery of the same furniture no less that twenty different times. Talking to them is like listening to a broken record. They keep saying the same things over and over again. They insist on trying to convince me that the furniture is really okay. Trust us, they say, not your own eyes.
At this point, all I want is my $2,000 deposit back. Ethan Allen refuses. They also are threatening to make me pay for the furniture whether I receive it or not.
Beware of ethan allen! They are a rip-off!
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