ComplaintsforStudio Seale Interiors, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  02/21/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On February 6, 2024 at 5:15PM, I had a discovery call with Lindsay ********************** from Studio **********************. I told her I was renovating a home and needed to redesign the layout of the home to function better. I told her I needed a quote for the redesign of the layout of the home to include a drawing. She agreed that she could provide design services. She also stated that she would bring a general contractor with her so that he could provide me a quote for the work her company could design. I told her I understood the responsibilities of an interior designer on the job site because she expressed concern that I am using another contractor. She didn't want the contractor that I have chosen to interfere with her design. She told me she would send a link to schedule an onsite appointment. She also stated that I had 30 days after the quote was provided to decide whether I was going to use her company, if I wanted the $175 fee to count as a credit toward her design work. To make sure there was no miscommunication, I recorded our discovery call on my phone because ***** is a one-party consent state. On February 7, 2024, I paid $175 to schedule an onsite appointment with Lindsay ********************** to take measurements of the existing footprint to redesign the layout for better function. We were scheduled to meet on February 10, 2024 at 11AM. At 11:30PM on February 9, 2024, I received a text message from ******* stating that her general contractor could not make the February 10, 2024 meeting because of a funeral. I didn't need a general contractor but she was not coming so I agreed to reschedule. On February 16, 2024, I was scheduled to meet ******* at 11AM. ******* texted at 10:45AM that she was running late about 10 minutes. Texted back at 11AM. ******* arrived at 11:09 with no measuring tape or anything to record details of the home. The contractor that ******* brought to the home came at 11:20AM. *******, the contractor and I walked the home. No one took measurements. I asked ******* if she was a registered interior designer, she stated no but that she had someone that works for her that was a registered interior designer. For this home, her husband was going to take the measurements. Wrapping up the meeting, ******* stated that she would need to come back to the home with her husband to take the measurements. Several texts messages later, ******* still could not get back to the home for the measurements, regardless of my efforts and options available to get her back inside the home. Now because I no longer need the quote that she was supposed to provide, she is refusing to provide a refund because she stated she consulted with me with a contractor. I paid $175 for a redesign proposal not a site visit with a general contractor.

  

  Business response

  02/28/2024

  There are parts of her statement that are false. She solicited our services and she went in and paid for a consultation after we had a discovery call. I spent 2 hours at her property assessing the home and discussing the proposed remodel. We found out the following Monday that ******'s offer was not accepted by the seller. It seems as though she wants the refund because she is no longer purchasing the home, not because our services were not provided. We have reached out to our attorney to have a document prepared with our settlement terms. We do not agree with refunding her, but in protection of our reputation we will present her with an offer. 

  Customer response

  03/05/2024

   
  Complaint: 21318893
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  The owner of Studio Seale fraudulently stated that she could provide interior designer services and she cannot. She never intended to take measurements for a redesign and I have text messages that provide a timeline of the events. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  

  Business response

  03/19/2024

  All clients have a free 15 minute call where I review their inquiry form. After I have the discovery call, if I am able to accept the job I offer a paid 45 minute consultation. This consultation ended up lasting about 2 hours. This client did state on my inquiry form that she did not have a contractor. I explained to her that we would get a bid from 2-3 contractors to make sure we were making the best choice for her job. I explained to her I was open to anyone she may have had as long as they would respect my role in the project. The client, contractor and myself walked around assessing the property, discussing ideas of what we were going to do to the property during the proposed remodel. The client offered her niece to meet me back at the property for measurements. I text the niece on Sunday and she wasn't able to meet me until Monday. I let the client know, but she stated her niece was working contrary to what she had just told me. The next day the clients offer on the property was not accepted. Although I hate that happened to her, that doesn't mean that my time should no longer be valued. I initially refused to refund her because my time was spent on the consultation. She moved on to the BBB to force a refund and I was in the process of giving her a small partial refund only because I could tell she was adamant about bashing our business. The client has since decided to take the matter higher. 

  Customer response

  03/26/2024

   
  Complaint: 21318893
  
  I am rejecting this response because: the owner fraudulently stated that she can provide interior designer services. She cannot and never intended to take the measurements at the home. We will never solve this problem on the BBB forum because the owner will not be honest. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

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