Wiazrd of Odz-Lamp Hospital Big Time Rip Off Comapny Phoenix, Arizona
Wizard of Odz came recommended to us by a local lamp store. We took two hand blown lamp shade to Wizard of Odz to be wired for use in our home. We dealt with the owner Steve Brown and finalized with him as to what work was to be done. We asked if he was going to write this up on a work order but he just tapped his head and said "it all in here" and assured us that "he will take care of us". Brown also said, "I been in this business since 1946 and I remember everything".
We came back a week later and picked up our lamps and at first glance, in his dingy, poorly lit store, the lamps looked fine. When we got home and in much better light we found out that Steve Brown really took "care" of us. Wizard of Odz charged us $3.20 per foot for electrical cord that was clearly marked $2.60 per foot. We agreed on 3 feet total of electrical cord, Wizard of Odz charged us for 5 feet of cord. The electrical fixtures on the lamp shades were to be silver, according to our specifications. Brown installed used brass plated fixtures that were spray painted with silver paint and charge us for new ones. I could scrape the silver paint off with my thumb nail. The ceiling canopy kits were also used and spray painted silver. Upon closer examination you could see where the paint had run on the fixtures. Also the pressure marks were very visible where screws and the center nut had been screwed and tightened into the metal surface. The paint not cover the surface rust or the metal pitting.
Brown also said he would "only" charge us $15.00 per hour for labor but when we checked the bill it was $29.50 an hour. Nowhere in the store did we see a sign stating the labor charge. As I saw in the Internet other customers have had this same complaint.
We asked for a refund because of this very shoddy work, $130.37 for garbage and Steve Brown DBA Wizard of Odz has not bothered to reply or respond. Luckily, we have alternative ways of contesting this thief and his charges.
The lamp store that recommended Wizard of Odz was Lamps Plus in Chandler. I took the lamps to Lamps Plus and showed the manager the extremely poor quality of Wizard of Odz. He was visibly upset and showed all the employees who said they would not be recommending Wizard of Odz. Better Business Bureau rates Wizard of Odz as a D- business.
I would rate Wizard of Odz as dishonest, liars and thieves.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
M.I.K.
Cornville,Arizona,
USA
My last reply was titled wrong. I am not the owner.
#3Consumer Comment
Wed, November 30, 2016
My report posted today says I'm the owner of the company. I am not. He sadly passed away last year. I am a cunsumer who has ured him many tomes.
M.I.K.
Cornville,Arizona,
USA
I did not have the same results.
#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, November 30, 2016
I've used the Wizzard of Odds numerous times. Stev was a distinguished WW II vet. He started the businessjust after the war and like many vets used what he knew to return to civilian life. He once shared with me and my late wife some of his experiences in battle.
Every time I went to him he went to what seemed the end of the earth to find what I needed. I found his priced quite resonable. Sadly, he passed away late last year. His family is doing what they can to keep their father's drem alive. They don't know how long that will be. Maybe at his advanced age he wasn't as sharp as he once was.
I am returning to his store this Friday to get those hard to find parts only he had. I purchsaed 2 huricane lamp glasses for les than $50 ea. I expected to pay twice as much.
I'm not trying to make excuses for him not meeting your detailed, expectations but it seems to me he did the best he could with what he had. At his age and considering what he did for his country he shouldn't be slammed by you. Repair prices for almost everthing this day and age are considerably more. Auto, plumbing, auto and appliance repair cost $60+/hr. At his advanced age maybe he used old formsor his memory wasn't as sharp as it once was. Who knows what the ravages of war took on him. I'm sure he tried his best under the circumstances.
Just this for a moment. If it wasn't for brave men like him serving and putting their lives on the line you could be livig in an Axis country or maybe not here at all.