Stretched thin
COMPLAINT: Kevin Marshall, Fishers, Ind.
"Flooring by Stretch-Rite Inc. replaced the carpet in my living room and family room, and restretched several upstairs rooms' carpeting. I contacted the manager to set up a time to have the work done.
"I called later to find out what my wife and I needed to do to prepare the house, since we were going to be out of town [during the work]. They simply said to remove smaller breakable items in the way and they'd use sliders to move any furniture. We would have gladly packed up everything, if it were needed.
"When we returned home a couple days later, we found our house in complete disarray - carpet fibers everywhere, furniture randomly placed back in rooms, and our belongings scattered throughout the kitchen and bathroom.
"I expected some disarray and that cleaning would need to be done, but not this. We also discovered the kitchen floor had been cut and the upstairs loft had a golf-ball-sized hole ripped in the carpet where they attempted to stretch it.
"They also ripped off the top of a media cabinet we recently purchased when they moved it and they forgot to restretch carpet in our walk-in closet. They made no indication of the damages. I contacted the company to seek restitution.
"I spoke with Dan [Hornaday], the owner, and we set up a time to go over the damages. We agreed they'd come out the following Wednesday to correct the issues. The cut was repaired and the hole upstairs was patched, but they forgot to restretch the closet.
"I had to call them again on Thursday to let them know. They returned, fixed the closet and left an invoice for the work. I reviewed it and I was honestly shocked - they intended to bill us for the full amount.
"We paid their bill in full, mainly because our house was on the market and we did not want any instances of a possible lien against our property. The work was completed and repairs were made, however, they made no offer of restitution regarding the piece of furniture they damaged."
DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I want the damaged furniture replaced or a portion of its $300 cost paid to us as restitution."
RESPONSE: Dan Hornaday, president, Flooring By Stretch-Rite Inc.
"The carpet replacement was professionally completed and the repairs were made within three days to their satisfaction. I've been in business since 1989 and I treat customers the way I'd like to be treated.
"We told the member to move small items, but they moved nothing. He claims 'we found our house in complete disarray' and their belongings were scattered through the kitchen and bathroom. Please take some responsibility.
"In regards to the damaged furniture, I inspected it with the customer. It was a shelving unit that I couldn't find anything wrong with. He pointed out a place in the back and he said he [had] fixed it, but wanted me to be aware of it, [and] don't worry about it. I am shocked by the complaint."
STATUS: Stalemate
Wallflowers
COMPLAINT: David Dearing, Indianapolis
"Leveridge Inc. constructed a stone wall along a bank at the front of my house. In doing the work, they dug up two flower beds they weren't supposed to. When I pointed it out, they put flowers back, but in a different location.
"Three or four of the plants ended up in bad shape during the process. They also threw away some of the landscape border in that area and only put part of it back. They've promised to take care of the damaged plants and landscaping material, but it hasn't happened."
DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I want them to replace the damaged plants and missing landscape border."
STATUS: Penalty Box