Back in January I ordered bricks from Dan at Artezanos. I gave him 50% deposit (over $2,000) for those bricks at that time. My check was cashed immediately. On the contract it states a 30-45 day lead time.
After 2 months, I started contacting Dan at Artezanos, asking him where my bricks were. He said they were having weather issues in Colombia where the bricks are being made, but they should leave there shortly.
I contacted him again several times over the next few months. I also applied for a building permit which was about to expire. I told him that, but he told me not to worry, the container full with my bricks is pretty much on the way.
Believing him several times, that the container with my bricks is on the ship and on its way to the port in Miami and / or Florida, I really thought he was trying to deliver the goods. Every time a container landed in the port, he told me that the container did not contain my order. I do not believe that at all - who ships goods without knowing what the container contains?
In August, I finally contacted a lawyer, hoping that this would help and speed things up. I asked him to return my deposit. My lawyer sent him the demand letter which Dan from Artzenaos told me he did not receive, although it was sent via e-mail, fax and certified mail. But, surprise - he finally called me on the day that he was supposed to return the deposit. He said he received the letter, but he did not understand why I would want my deposit back. He told me again that the goods are on the way. He never offered me my money back.
Just by the end of August he told me that my brick order is coming to port. However, I originally ordered 1.5" thick brick, he said the bricks coming would be 2" thick. Furthermore, I have not heard anything from him since then.
I finally gave him an ultimatum in writing to return at least 80% of my deposit (contract states that he would keep 20% of the deposit). I have not received any payment and he does not answer his phone or my e-mails.
Please, do NOT do any business with this company! They take your deposit, but never deliver. Dan's wife made several trips to Columbia with his kid during the time I was in contact with Artezanos. Now I know that it was probably my deposit he was using for these expenses.
This is a lot of money for me, but I will go to court and sue Artezanos. Please do not hesitate to contact me through complaint should the same have happened to you!
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