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Complaint Details
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Initial Complaint
10/18/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I was matched up to The Curtice Group through Angis List. From the beginning the company was very responsive and flexible. I made it very clear that I needed the full price for their Architecture work, and that I already had a plot plan. They provided me with the pricing both via email and a written contract. I was very hesitant to move forward since there was a $250 consultation fee, but I figured they must be that good. The day of the consultation, ***** arrived at our home and immediately double the quoted price. He stated that there were several add-ons that were not included in the original price, however this is flat out bait and switch, and I was clearly lied to by this company (and have it in writing to prove it). This is similar to requesting a total price for a car from a car dealer which they provide to get you interested, only to have them later tell you that tires are extra. ***** was at our home for not more than ******************************************** even looking at our home. His overall demeanor was extremely condescending and not consultative. As it turns out, ***** was only interested in collecting the "consultation fee" and did not have any interest in our project at all. When me and my wife asked if he wanted to see the rest of the house or even look at the bedrooms or the basement, his response was no, whats the point. Honestly, who in their right mind would come to look at a home as an Architect and not want to see the home or the rooms? He went so far as to made disparaging comments about our home and I am horrified at his behavior.***** later acknowledged that I was in fact quoted one price in writing and he verbally inflated the price, however he did not respond to my request for a refund of the "consultation fee". This company is running a scam, and this is a very clear money grab strategy. They practice bait and switch as deceptive business practices. I am requesting a $250 refund and an apology.
Business response
10/22/2022
**** asserts that we lied to him regarding the Design Contract. This is not the case. We told him it was a time and materials contract and not a fixed cost. He apparently did not read the contract, which is only two pages and very clearly states the work will be done by the hour. It was limited (in his case to $3,000). We would need his permission to continue work past that amount. It does not promise to do any set amount of work for a fixed price. The 3K is an estimate based on other jobs of similar size and scope. That contract was never signed or executed
The purpose of the consultation is to (in part) provide ballpark costs for the construction to see if it is worth proceeding to the design stage. When they (he and his wife) gave me their wish list, I provided a crude (Ball Park) estimate to see if their budget was in line. It was not.When I gave them the bad news they were visibly upset. (But upset with me?)They kept asking if I wanted to see the rest of the house. I told them that was not going to affect the cost of the project they wanted to pursue. I suggested some projects of smaller scope that would fit their budget better but they were not interested.
I did come out to their house so I do need to collect the fee as agreed. I also offered to spend more time with him on a ****** meet to go over some of the jobs that I have done. There, he could see where all the costs go a why these additions are as pricey as they are today. He was not interested. I do feel badly, but not because of the accusations he has levied against me. But rather because he told me he has engaged an Architect to do the drawings for him. I believe he will pay a lot more than I would have charged him for plans that, when disseminated to other builders will wind up costing far beyond their budget. He asserts that I lied to him. But I feel like I am the only one telling him the truth. This is a clear case of Please dont shoot the messenger!Customer response
10/22/2022
Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered.
[You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution. If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.I was quoted $3000 as a total by this business and they required an initial consultation which cost $250. Immediately after ***** walked in our house he stated the $3000 was not correct even though his company headquartered it to me and stated the total was $7000. This is very clearly bait and switch and the business is using deceptive business practices. Well I emailed ***** after the meeting to show him that they had in fact quoted me $3000 as a total his response was, yeah youre right . He clearly admitted that he knew they had quoted me $3000 but he tried to justify the higher cost by stating the contract was times and materials.
My frustration is not because of the news that ***** provided or the fact that he stated our budget was too low, I am very upset that this business Got me interested by quoting a very low price only to walk in the door and **** up the price.
I am requesting a refund of the $250 consultation fee quote which was fraudulently obtained using bait and switch and deceptive business practices. I am also requesting a formal apology from this business.FAQ
Regards,*******
Business response
10/24/2022
That is simply not true. Never did I say it would cost $7,000 for the design work. In fact, since it is a time and materials contract - it may very well have been less than $3,000. I was and am still willing to meet with the client and explain all this in detail but he has chosen this route instead...Customer response
10/24/2022
Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered.
[You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution. If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
FAQits pretty simple - I was quoted $3,000 in writing so I would be interested enough to book an appointment and pay $250. As soon as the business owner came into our home he stated that the price of $3,000 was not correct snd it would be much higher and close to $7,000. In fact when I pointed this out to them via email, the owner stated ya youre right. By his own admission they acknowledged that they quoted me one price and were trying to charge another. I feel bad this business needs to resort to bait and switch and deceptive business practices.
Regards,*******
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