Complaint Review: Linders Furniture

I've read other complaints against this company, and boy do I wish I'd seen them before giving Linders my business! On October 2, I tried to order a bedroom set via the internet. Their site was not the best and I was not able to get my order through.

I then contacted the Laguna store and spoke with a salesperson named Bryon. Wanting my business, in a very friendly and accomodating manner he took my order, with the promise that delivery would be 6-8 weeks and that I would be statused on my order throughout this time period. I paid 50% of the balance. Did any statusing occur? Of course not! I heard nothing from anyone until the end of November about there being delays, and that they expect delivery some time in December.

Two weeks go by and still having heard nothing, I called to ask about my furniture, hoping I would have them before Christmas. I was told by the corporate office that they have some of my order and I can arrange for delivery but would have to pay additional fees. I called Bryon and was informed that, oh yeah, by the way, where you live we only deliver once a month on the 3rd Thursday. Was I ever informed of this? No! But Bryon did say that he would look into it and would get right back to me.

Another 2 weeks go by and I still haven't heard, I called to cancel because I had just enough of their extremely poor customer service. You see, I don't like to pay for goods and services that I actually will never receive or will receive in a very untimely manner. So I called the store, and after having to leave all kinds of messages for the store manager (as he's the only authority to grant that cancellation), I get really no response to speak of from him.

Some more time goes by and after several more calls, I'm finally able to speak with him. It was then that I was informed that one piece of my set is special order and therefore I'm obligated to accept it. Of course, I was never informed of this by our friendly and accomodating Bryon. Mr. Manager basically said, too bad but there's nothing he can do about it. Ok, so now I'm upset. I would like to get my furniture, but after my experience with such a vendor, I don't wish to give them my business.

So they tell me that I can't cancel the whole set and have to accept a piece of the set...My options: continue to allow them to hold onto to my $1000+ deposit then pay the other $1000+ with the promise that I will get my furniture (which after months I've yet to see!) or cancel what I can and have 1 piece of furniture from the set I had wanted. Either way, I'm forced to give them some of my business.

I called my credit card company and since it's been over 60 days (during which period I'm happy as clam and excited to be getting my new furniture -- or so I thought), I can't dispute the charge (but I haven't given up hope yet). I filed with Better Business Bureau. Apparently, they aren't reviewed too favorably there (F!). Unfortunately for me, all this grief was from not checking with the BBB sites. I would never step foot into that place again and will spread the word as much as I can about it to anyone who's even thinking about going there for furniture. I will show them complaints from this site, among others.

What recourse do I have? Take them to court? I will defintely continue to pursue this issue. How can they think business will go on as usual if this is how they treat customers. What is it about them not being able to deliver? I work in Logistics and Distribution. Maybe they need to get someone who knows how to get product from vendor/warehouse/distribution to CUSTOMER! I thought the 'Buyer Beware' business motto went out way before the turn of the century, as any enlightened (or not) marketing person can tell you.

I would defintely choose a more reputable national chain versus Linders, which is unfortunate because I'd always prefer to support local businesses...

E.N.
Inland Empire, California
U.S.A.