When I entered Arte de Origen in Cabo San Lucas I was impressed. Beautiful art pieces tastefully displayed and Rodrigo, a charming salesperson at your side. Don't be fooled by this bait and switch; what you see in this shop is NOT what you will get when they ship your merchandise.
Unfortunately, I decided to purchase a gorgeous table that was an original piece of artwork at a nearly $2,000 pricetag. I was told it would take 3 weeks to ship. They had me sign a multitude of paperwork - my mistake not to read the tiniest bit of fine print. One item says that I agree to pay for the item, regardless of what it looks like or what shape its in upon arrival.
Three weeks later, a monstrosity arrived on my doorstep. First, it was not what they'd advertised in the store. Instead of a beautiful, handpainted table on gorgeous hardwood, I received a particle board replica of what they'd displayed in their store, decals peeling, gummy rubber cement all over the glass portion of the coffee table. The hinges had been glued to the table instead of screwed in, the legs were wiggling and about to fall off. The table top was broken in two pieces. I'd have laughed were it not so costly a joke.
I attempted to communicate with Rodrigo for several weeks. He said they needed to file a claim with DHL for the damaged caused to the table. In the most polite of terms, I explained to him that the table wasn't damaged in the shipping process, it was simply made of the most low quality materials available. Nevertheless, he asked me for photos and for a statement so he could file a claim with DHL and be paid for it by them. I agreed, hoping I'd get the table I wanted out of this mess.
Rodrigo informed me in writing that DHL reimbursed them for the price of the table, so they would begin to build me a new table. He promised me, repeatedly (and I have copies of email and facebook communications from him) that my replacement table would arrive within two weeks. I asked if I should return my table. He said to dispose of it as they'd been reimbursed. I took it to the dump.
Three months later I received nothing. Finally, I contacted Chase Bank and began the process of protesting the charge. Months go buy. Rodrigo produces the piece of paper I'd signed saying I agreed to accept the table regardless of condition, or allow them to replace it. Chase says I have to return the table in order to get my account credited. I explained that 1) Rodrigo had already been compensated for this table by DHL 2) Rodrigo had advised me to get rid of the table.
Chase has not given me the credit as of this date, and it appears that Rodrigo and his fellow con artists will be paid for this piece of junk not once by me, but twice, by both DHL and myself. I am going to continue to protest this with Chase, and will be contacting the fraud department of DHL so that perhaps they, at least, can get their money back. I will also continue to publish my experience of this incident online to help others avoid my foolish mistake.
Buyer beware. I regret ever having set foot in Arte de Origin. If you are visiting Cabo San Lucas, this is a 'Must Miss'.