My wife and I moved to Calgary on February 1. On February 26, we ordered custom window coverings from Interior Living for nine windows, paying 1/2 of the cost as a deposit and paying the remaining 50% three weeks later. We wanted the coverings not to replace existing coverings, but for privacy because there was nothing covering the windows.
We have moved extensively world-wide over the past 10 years (due to oil industry job assignments) and we usually stay in a place for 18-21 months. Our lease on the house in Calgary terminates July 1.
The wooden blinds and silhouette shades were installed timely except for one window. We were told by Interior Living that because of the window's location on the second floor above a flight of stairs that it would be difficult to install them. This was not mentioned to us at all when the blinds were sold to us. The dimensions were done by assuming the window was the same size as another more accessible window.
Over the next 7 or 8 months, we went to the store in person on 8 to 10 occasions to inquire about the blinds, always being friendly and engaging in nice conversation. We were finally told that special scaffolding would be needed to install the blinds.
A message was left on our answer phone on November 26 that the scaffolding was loaded on the installer's truck and they were coming to install the last blinds. Unfortunately, we were out of the country celebrating Thanksgiving in the U.S.
I returned the call when we returned to Calgary and told the salesperson that we were available any time before December 17 as we were leaving again to spend Christmas and New Year with my wife's family. I was told that would work, but they never called back to set an appointment.
I called on December 17, the day we were to leave, and spoke with the owner, Victor. He questioned my credibility, saying it was odd he had never met me, and telling me he couldn't find me in his customer database. We had also bought some custom sofas from them after the window coverings, spending in excess of $13,000 in all.
I told Victor the blinds had been sitting in his storage area for nine months. Being told by the owner in so many words that I was a liar, of course I became angry, and the phone call ended with him hanging up in my ear. We left from the airport later that evening.
While on Christmas break, we got an e-mail from our salesperson saying she was sorry for all the trouble, and she would make sure the blinds were installed in the new year.
I set an appointment for January 13. The salesperson and the installer arrived at 10:00 am. He unloaded some of the scaffolding from his truck, but never brought it into the house. He was able to access the window just fine with an extension ladder and the excuse about needing special scaffolding turned out to be a red herring.
We paid for these window coverings in full back in March, were very patient while they sat in the store for nine months, and never threatened any sort of legal filing against Interior Living.in the end, I was treated like garbage by Victor, whose store we gave $13,000 of business within one month.
We now have all the custom blinds and shades we paid for and they look great, but after waiting 9 months, we have only 5 months to enjoy and benefit from them as our lease terminates on July 1.
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