Complaint Review: Upholstery Center

I was scammed; completely ripped off. I first spoke to Reza Safai who goes by a fake name "Ray" in Dec 2021 about making two L-shaped sectionals. I went to the address listed on Google but it didn't exist, I called Reza and he gave me a different address to go to in Granada Hills, not Chatsworth as listed on Google Maps. We made a deal for two L-shaped sectionals, one left hand sectional and one right hand sectional. Prior to meeting with Reza I got quotes from other upholstery shops, I decided to go with Reza even though he was the most expensive because he told me that he does work for Italy 2000.

I believed he would do good work. First red flag, he asked me to Zelle pay him for the deposit. Second red flag he asked for 50% of the total price. Seemed a bit much, especially since I was providing the fabric. Third red flag , I asked for an invoice multiple times, he would agree, then always have an excuse as to why he didn't have one ready. In the end he never gave one. I now know he does it to avoid paying taxes.

He told me that he would build the frame for one sectional and once I approved it, he would then make the other frame for the second sectional. He emphasized this many times. I went to his shop and approved the first frame. We discussed the details of the other frame being that the sectionals were to be mirror images of each other. He assured me that he understood and "know what you want".  Days later he told me he was finished and asked me to Zelle pay him the balance.

Since I still did not have an invoice I told him that I wasn't comfortable paying the balance until I saw the sectionals. When I got to his shop there was only 1 sectional. I asked him where the other sectional was?, he said "what do you mean?" I said, we made a deal for two L-shaped sectionals, he kept replying "what do you mean?" Like he all of the sudden didn't understand English. He turned his back towards me and started walking away from me.

At that point I realized I was scammed. I told him that I would pick up the sectional since it was paid in full, he said no, you owe me an additional $4000. I told him "no way" that was not what we agreed on, that would be a total of $8000 for one L-shaped sectional, his quality of work no way justified that outrageous price. Especially being as though I bought and supplied the fabric.  I said if you won't give me the sectional, give me my money back. He refuses to do so and has not responded since. 

I hope that this review prevents him from ripping off someone else.  I am out of $4000, and I don't have a sectional. Even worse, I purchased and delivered the fabric to him. I looked him up on the LA city of finance website, he is registered as a dry cleaning business and has a different address listed in Tarzana, 19311 Ventura Blvd. 91356. He lies about everything including his name, he goes by Ray but his real name is Reza Safai. He will constantly tell you that he has been in business for 40 plus years which is also a lie.