ComplaintsforBusy Bee Painting Company LLC

• Initial Complaint

  11/13/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We paid a little over $1,000 as a deposit for part of one side of a house to be painted this summer. In late July, it was determined by Busy Bee that they would not have time in their schedule to paint the house and agreed to refund our deposit. They sent us some of the money but still owe us $80. They have acknowledged that they will send us the money but it has been several months of them promising but no action sending us the money.

  Business response

  12/19/2023

  BBB spoke to the business and the following was relayed: We have refunded this customer.  Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On Mon, Jan 16, 2023, Justina K*******, Owner, was scheduled to complete an estimate for interior painting. On Jan 18, 2023, received emailed proposal, but one of our dogs became ill. On Jan 22, 2023, received email reminder inquiring if I'd read proposal. I eventually signed contract on Feb 6, 2023. On Feb 15, 2023, I paid deposit ($7263.00 + $232.42 fee = $7495.42) but sent text advising we'd been dealing with dog's health issues. On Mar 21, 2023, received text asking if I'd picked colors yet. I explaining circumstances and requested to postpone until "maybe June". On Jun 13, 2023, received text asking how everything was, and on Jun 15, 2023, I explained craziness and asked for a refund. On Jun 21, 2023, I sent text asking if my "refund" text was received as I'd not received a response - almost 1 hr later, I received text from Sheri V. confirming and had forwarded to appropriate dept. On Jul 3, 2023, I sent a text inquiring about refund status, to which I was informed that she didn't have access to info but said refund could take up to 90 days. On Jul 20, 2023, I asking for a refund status, and shortly thereafter received an email informing me that as of July 2023, their refund policy stated, "Effective immediately, we will no longer be able to provide refunds on deposits received past 14 days...". After inquiring why they felt warranted to keep the entire deposit, since there was no work done, etc., they advised that I would receive $6545.50 (after they would withhold $717.50 for time, commissions, and fees) within 90 days from June 15, 2023 or by Sept 15, 2023 and would send a separate email once the cashiers check had been issued. I have not received the refund or an email advising it has been issued. I've attached all email communication and texts.

  Business response

  09/23/2023

  We have refunded the client due to personal circumstances and health issues. We also have the receipt to verify this information.  I realize she was frustrated but we did the best we could with the situation at hand. We have a billing department and that person was hired to handle all of our billing accounts because of how much the business has grown  and this was forwarded to them to finalize the details of the refund.  We apologize for any frustration this may have caused. This was a new issue we never have dealt with in the past. We now have all the things in place that are necessary if it’s refunds or issues with billing.  We do wish you the best!  

  Customer response

  09/27/2023

  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  I was not refunded my entire deposit; the company kept $717.50.  Regards,   ******** *****

  Business response

  09/27/2023

  Good afternoon!  Busy Bee Painting Company's refund policy is as follows:  Deposits received beyond 14 days are non-refundable, unless approved by the owner based on valid reasons and at the company's discretion. If a client cancels and requests a refund within the initial 14-day assessment period, administrative costs will be assessed before releasing the deposit. If a refund is approved after the 14-day period, fees may apply, and it may take up to 90 days to receive the refunded amount. The customer signed agreement January 28th, 2023 and asked for a refund on June 15th, 2023.  I, the owner, approved her refund despite the 14 day non-refundable clause and was advised of the administrative fees that were assessed.  Busy Bee also paid the sales person for the refund costs at no charge to the customer.  Thank you, Justina K*******

  Customer response

  09/28/2023

  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  I have attached the proposal, which was signed on January 29, 2023 and nowhere does it state their refund policy. I requested a refund, after they completed a FREE estimate, and, not only is it not stated on the signed contract, but this is was not relayed to me during any our communications when I let them know what was going on. I was not made aware that I would have to pay for commissions and fees, mind you I already paid a fee to complete the deposit online. Additionally, I requested a refund on June 15, 2023, and was subsequently notified on JULY 21, 2023 that they had changed their refund policy as of July 2023 (see email uploads in initial filing). I am very disappointed.  Regards,  ******** *****

• Initial Complaint

  07/25/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Justina K*******, the owner of the business, came to our home on April 21,2022 to give us an estimate for the painting of ceilings in 3 rooms - kitchen, powder room & upstairs bathroom. At that time, Justina told me to go to either ******* ******** or ******* to pick out a paint color as I stated I did not want a bright white. There was no mention of a "standard white". She also did not state that their primary focus was exterior vs interior painting. Justina also mentioned that all window coverings & personal items would need to be removed. We are in our 70s so we need time to complete that text. I signed a contract & sent $585.90 as a down payment for the work. I went out & chose my paint color and sent the information. On May 10th in the early evening I was called by one of the employees asking if they could come the next morning. My husband had COVID, so no. I received another call early in June and again late in the day by another employee asking if they could be there in the morning. We had doctor appointments, so no. I asked for a date certain and it seemed that it wasn't going to happen because they needed to fit me in when the weather was going to be bad for outdoor work. And now there was talk of a "standard white" when I inquired about their purchasing the paint. They had not. No one came to the house to show me what "standard white" looked like. By June 16th we were fed up and asked to cancel our job and refund our down payment in full. The employee on the phone said it could take up to 30 days. Not sure why as that $$ I thought needed to be put aside for our job. I waited 30 days, no refund. I have called repeatedly starting July 18th, no one picks up the phone so I message is left and sometimes the mailbox is full. I have sent a long email and have received no acknowledgment or check in the mail. My last correspondence, I asked for cash to be brought to my home as I don't trust them anymore. All we want is our $585.90 back.

  Customer response

  08/02/2022

  Better Business Bureau: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. Justina K*******, the owner of Busy Bee Painting did send me an email and assured me the refund check would be in the mail by Saturday, July 30th. I did receive the check today, August 1st. Regards, ********* *****************

*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. ↩