Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/27/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We had a signed contract to have our deck replaced. Signed contract on May17th 2023. At that time we were informed that the job would be done in 6-8 weeks. To this date April 19th 2024 nothing has been done. I texted the contractor (**** *******) throughout the past 11 months. I would occasionally get a reply but most times I would not hear from him. He called me on Jan. 4th and told me he was going to do it the following Monday. I followed up with a text on Jan. 29th and got reply that he was in Iowa for a funeral and would touch base with me in a few days. Since I have sent numerous text and no response.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/27/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am genuinely disappointed to share my experience with Mackinaw Valley Decks, as it has been nothing short of frustrating and unprofessional. In May 2023, we sought to have our deck remodeled and decided to engage Mackinaw Valley Decks for the project. We were initially optimistic and excited about the prospect of enhancing our outdoor space. We signed a contract and promptly mailed a deposit ($3,980 by check) on June 10, 2023. ****, the owner, acknowledged receipt of the deposit via text on June 14, 2023, which seemed promising at the time. However, from that point onward, our experience took a nosedive. For several months, I attempted to communicate with **** to obtain an estimated start date for our project. Regrettably, most of my messages were met with complete silence. The few responses I did receive were vague and unhelpful, along the lines of "I'll have to check my list when I get home." Sadly, these promises were never fulfilled. As the summer months passed and we moved into September, it became apparent that **** had no intention of honoring his commitment to our project. It was at this point that I requested the return of our deposit, as it was abundantly clear that our project was not a priority for him. To this day, **** has failed to refund our deposit. When I left a message on his business ******** page, he didn't respond but did block me. I would strongly advise anyone considering Mackinaw Valley Decks for their deck remodeling needs to reconsider. ****'s lack of professionalism, communication, and failure to fulfill contractual obligations is deeply disappointing. In light of our experience, I cannot recommend this contractor, and I urge others to save their time and money by seeking out a more reliable and trustworthy option for their home improvement projects.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/12/2023

  Please add this to my complaint against Mackinaw Valley Decks. He responded to a ****** review with a bunch of nonsense about how we were asking to be pulled to the front of the line. None of that is true. My response to him is below.

   

  Thanks

  ---------- Forwarded message ---------
  From: **** * * *********************** *
  Date: Thu, Oct 12, 2023 at 11:49 AM
  Subject: Fwd: Mackinaw Valley Decks replied to your review on ******
  To: **** * * ************************* *  

  ****, I read your response to my review and can't figure out how to respond to it, so I'm going to start here. We didn't ask to be pulled to the front of the line, we asked for a start date (that you would not provide). We couldn't even get you to return a call, text, FB message or a message to your website. You didn't even respond to the complaint at the BBB. Come on.

   

  The deck is done. We no longer need your services. I have asked for a refund of my deposit. That is all. I will update this review once I have received the refund. If I can't figure out how to respond to this review, I'll write another one.

   

  Thanks.

   

   

  Thanks

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/19/2023

  I understand that 'truth in advertising' is a big thing with the BBB.  I had to laugh when I read this from Mackinaw Valley Decks. Please add it to my complaint.

   

  ******** ****

  Business Response

  Date: 10/20/2023

   

   

  I have talked to an Attorney concerning this issue.    I have scheduled a video chat with him on Monday October 23.   My response will come as soon as possible.

   

  **** *******

  Business Response

  Date: 10/23/2023

  i have talked to an attorney today.  Actually, I have never been put in this situation before.   I am going to refund the deposit.   Minus $262.50.   This a trip charge that I made to ****** house.    To talk with her concrete contractor.    This was an added trip that was not planned on.   The difference of $3715.50 will be paid in thirty days from today.   That is November 23, 2023.

   

  **** *******

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/24/2023

  Hi, I sent an email before I found this option to ask questions. I have no issue with his proposal, but I don't trust him to refund my money. The original BBB complaint against him by '***' states that **** agreed to refund his money but never did. This feels like a way of life for him and I assume if I agree to this you will close the complaint like you did ***** so I won't be able to respond in 30 days if he doesn't pay. There is nothing binding about his statement and so far, he has lied about everything (except he did come to my house that day to talk to the contractor). I will accept a post dated check in the amount he proposed and I will not to cash it until the date he proposed.

  I think he is trying to drag this out and not pay.  I don't want to wait 30 days if my next step is Small Claims Court.

   

  Thanks

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/24/2023

  Just to keep everything in one place, I'm adding a screenshot of a message I sent to **** today along with his response (and mine).

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/24/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Consumer states she agrees to the amount but not the timeframe. 

  Most Recent Message
  Date Sent: 10/24/2023 11:04:44 AM
  Hi, I sent an email before I found this option to ask questions. I have no issue with his proposal, but I don't trust him to refund my money. The original BBB complaint against him by '***' states that **** agreed to refund his money but never did. This feels like a way of life for him and I assume if I agree to this you will close the complaint like you did ***** so I won't be able to respond in 30 days if he doesn't pay. There is nothing binding about his statement and so far, he has lied about everything (except he did come to my house that day to talk to the contractor). I will accept a post dated check in the amount he proposed and I will not to cash it until the date he proposed.
  
  I think he is trying to drag this out and not pay.  I don't want to wait 30 days if my next step is Small Claims Court.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/27/2023

  I am not shocked by this at all, but **** (Mackinaw Valley Decks) did not refund my money as promised.

   

  Please add this to my complaint or let me know how I can do that.

   

  Thanks

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/14/2022

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The initial agreement was signed on 7/12/2022. At that time, **** ******* from Mackinaw Valley Decks stated it would be approximately 10 weeks before he could start the job based upon his scheduled projects. As of 12/14/2022 Mackinaw Valley Decks has not started the job. The only communications that have occurred were in October by phone when **** ******** stated to me that he would be starting my job in 2 weeks and in November when I was able to connect with him in person after he just left a business in Mackinaw. In person that day in November he stated that he would return the $6,000 deposit the following weekend. I told him at that time that I would be forced soon to submit a formal complaint to the Better Business Bureau. Over the last 30 days, **** ******* from Mackinaw Valley Decks has refused to answer my phone calls, answer the door at his home, and his cellphone voicemail is full.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/04/2023

  I can not give an actual start time.   I am working now when it is warmer than 30 degrees.   I cant predict the cold weather. I am currently working on deck number 1.   Don is deck number 6

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/06/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:

  **** from Mackinaw Valley Decks detailed five reasons for delays that he states prevented him from completing the agreed upon contract in 2022. While many were out of his control and understandable, allowing add-ons to two jobs was clearly within his control. No detail at all was previously provided. The lack of any proactive communication from **** regarding when/if he would be able to complete the job in 2022 was unacceptable, especially since I paid $6,000 (1/2 of the $12,000 job) on July 12th. I expect more from a business that is BBB accredited and advertises that to the public. Even in his response there was no apology. 

  As part of the formal complaint, I requested a full refund of the $6,000. He not only refused to provide any refunds whatsoever, but also did not provide any assurances of when he plans to complete the work in 2023 or when he will be having material delivered.

  I have not visited with a lawyer yet as I am true to the BBB process of the BBB acting as an intermediary first to try to resolve. From my standpoint, **** needs to commit to what order my job is in the Spring and/or deliver the building material paying for it with part or all of the $6,000 up front payment from my standpoint to show good faith. Regardless, if he does not complete the job by  7/11/2023 (1 year from the contract initiation) a full refund will definitely be expected. If he is unable to complete by then or provide a refund by then I specifically request that his BBB accreditation be suspended and I will have no other choice than to contact a lawyer.

  Please share my condolences with **** on the loss of his mother. The bottom line is that I am hoping that the BBB can arbitrate between us to resolve. As long as the deck is fully completed within one year with expected quality workmanship from the signed contract I will be satisfied. Thank you for your review and continued support in addressing my complaint!

  ****** ***********