Houston homeowner not happy with interior designer

Published on October 1, 2009

Give me shelter

COMPLAINT: Claudette Milner, Houston, Texas

I hired Shelterstyle.com to rearrange furniture and items in my home. Some of her ideas were not very functional, such as putting the secretarial desk next to the kitchen table. In some instances, her placement of furniture didn't work because of difficulty with power outlets.

Her illustration plan that she scribbled was unprofessional. I have explained several times that I was not happy with the results. I am disappointed with the service and feel that I paid way too much.

DESIRED RESOLUTION: I want a partial refund of at least $245.

STATUS: Resolved

Editor's note: The member informed Angie's List that the company issued a $245 refund and she considers the case resolved.

Do or don't?

COMPLAINT: JeanLuc Hubert, Houston, Texas

I hired Annie Does What Honey Don't to refinish my entry door. Owner Annie Delling quoted me a price of $300, which, even though it wasn't a bargain, seemed appropriate for sanding, staining and varnishing one side only of the door. The result is very disappointing.

There was no improvement in appearance whatsoever. It was only lightly sanded by hand for 20 minutes on its hinges, the wood wasn't stained, and only one coat of clear varnish was applied to a poorly prepared surface. She threatened me with collection and credit bureau reports because I withheld $100 from the $300 in my payment, attempting to incentivize them to correct the problem.

DESIRED RESOLUTION: I expect Annie Does to refund the $200 I paid. Nothing less will be considered or accepted.

RESPONSE: Annie Delling, owner, Annie Does What Honey Don't

The customer was given a price to refinish the exterior of the front door. The door looked better than when we began. With both a verbal and written bid for the work to be done, he was very pleased with part of the work and then later came back saying he was not pleased.

If he wasn't happy with the entire work, why did he pay for it, then complain? This is a simple case of "Now that I got it done, I am not paying." I will take the $100 loss and call it even. How can you be satisfied one day and not the next?

STATUS: Stalemate