On april 14 i purchased a Jaclyn Smith Dutch Harbor Gazebo from the K-Mart on St George Ave in Avenel, N.J. I read the assembly directions and followed them to a tee. I had three helpers as per the instructions.
The lower supporting structure and glass-topped bar were fairly easy to assemble. The top canopy structure, while already assembled was rather difficult to install because it is extremely flimsy and not well designed to be installed and removed quickly. As per the directions you do need atleast four people to install the canopy to the frame and the top frame to the bottm frame.
We had two bad storms here and we removed the canopy for both of them. The canopy was left up for a couple of minor rain events. Keep in mind that this is an outdoor gazebo. At the end of summer we took the top down to store it and realized that nearly all of the seams were disintegrating. Not just the thread but the fabric as well.
I called Kmart, as it clearly says to do on the receipt and they referred me to Numark Industries, Danville Indiana. It was an electronic answering machine which had me leave a number. I was surprised to actually get a return call the next day, but from Appollo Outdoor not Numark.
I spoke with a Brandy first who referred me to Kim. Kim asked if the Gazebo was rained on and i answered honestly yes, a couple of times. She actually took delight in telling me that the rain cancelled the warranty.
I pleaded my case with her that this was an outdoor product that rain should not affect. I told her that you could also see that the fabric was damaged from sun exposure. She was adamant that the company had no liabilty.
I asked to speak to her supervisor. She said she was the only person in that department. I asked to speak to her boss. She said she didn`t know who that was. I asked if she knew who she worked for, she said no. I asked who signed her paychecks and again she didn`t know. I asked if this was her familys` business and again she didn`t know!
I told her that what they are doing is criminal. She told me i was rude and was going to hang up. So she did. Says alot for that company.
I tried several times to write a review on the KMart website but it is always refused with the error message "user cannot be left blank". I called KMart and told them of this problem. They transferred my call several times and i was finally told that the problem would be fixed and i would get an E-mail in a day or two after one of their people tried to write a review and had the same results as me. That was a month ago. The problem still exists and I have yet to hear from them.
I filed a complaint with the BBB to investigate these people. All i want is a new canopy.
If you go to the KMart website and type in Jaclyn Smith Dutch Harbor Gazebo you will see right next to the Gazebo is the reason they have a self voiding warranty&the canopy is for sale at $130.00.
It is all about greed
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