Complaint Review: Ricardo's Kitchen's And Baths

In January 2006 we ordered cabinets and granite countertops through Ricardo's who, by the way, came highly recommended. We offered a 75% deposit if he would reduce his price to come closer to our budget figure, he accepted. He told us the order would go in before Kraft Maid had a 6% price increase and that it took approximately 8-12 weeks for delivery. We were fine with that because we didn't need them for about 5 months due to new home construction.

In about April or May, we attempted to contact Ricardo's to see if the cabinets were in as we were getting closer to the need to install. We received no response. A visit to the shop brought apologies and a story that he delayed releasing the cabinets into production because we didn't need them for a few months but that they should be here the first week in June.

A follow up in June found Ricardo to be on a week long cruise. A physical visit to the shop over several days revealed that our cabinets were never released into production while other customers, whose cabinets were ordered in March of 2006 were released.

At this point, after being lied to consistently about the status of our cabinets, we cancelled the order and requested a refund. Ricardo signed an agreement to refund our deposit within 2 weeks. Two and a half months later, I am still owed over $4,000 and they are not returning calls. I receive a fax from his wife that they need the money received for payroll or a builder stiffed them, always a new story. But I have written acknowledgement of the amount owed.

I should feel fortunate that I received at least part of my money back but it probably came from a deposit from some other poor customer. I know there is another couple from New Jersy who paid Ricardo's $6,000 in October of 2005 who never received their cabinets and have yet to be refunded to the best of my knowledge.

I am still trying diligently to get the rest of my money back but I want to warn others of what has happened to us in the event he does this to someone else.

Pat
Sorrento, Florida
U.S.A.