Complaint Review: Arrow Uphostery & Drapery - San Antonio Texas

I contacted Arrow Uphostery and Drapery to come out to my home and give me a quote on custom draperies.  Sidney Lachman, owner and president, answered the telephone.  I told him I had recently build a custom home and wanted to have custom draperies made and installed in my new home.  The very first thing he asked, "Did I have good credit."  I asked him why was he inquiring about my credit?"  He proceeded to tell me, "I could get draperies done for the entire house and not have to pay anything for 12 months interest free."  I told him that I had excellent credit and would be paying cash for my drapery.  Prior to  making my appointment, he stated that is the reason I have good credit.

Marisa, salesperson for Arow Uphostery, came to to my home and showed me various fabrics and she drew different designs.  She indicated that my home was beautiful and she really liked the decoration and that I would love the custom drapes made my Arrow Uphostery & Drapery. Prior to leaving she presented me with a quote of $3000.00.  I told her I would have to think about it and give her a call.  Prior to leaving she call her supervisor and he wanted to know what could he do to close the deal.  Again, I told them both I wanted to think about it.  Then he indicated he would charge me $2500.00 for everything.  I still wanted to think about it. 

The following week, Sidney Lachman began calling me several times a day on my cell phone and at home leaving message.  I told him that I had not  decide which company I would get to do my drapes. He degraded a couple of the companies I had mentioned.  He continued to call daily several times a day.  He proceeded to tell me they had been in business for over 50 years and he guaranteed quality work.  Also, that some of his customers were not happy with JC Penney's custom draperies and came to him to have them do them again.

After several weeks, I visited the showroom and the draperies were of quality.  I told Larisa, I would bring my husband by and let him take a look at the work in the showroom and, if we, decide I would give her the down payment.  At this time, Mr. Lachman asked if I had given her any money and she told him, I would bring it back that afternoon once my husband has looked at the drapery in the showroom.  He told her to take my debit card rather than wait for me and my husband to return.  His exact words were, "You don't let the customer leave with the money."

Scott set up an appointment to measure the windows Larisa couldn't reached.  Sid called a couple weeks prior to the delivery and asked if I wanted scotch guard on my drapes and I told him no thanks. 

The installers came to install the window treatment in the living room but they didn't fit properly because of the lack of communication between Larisa and Scott.  The draperies could not be hung; however they installed the ones in the formal dining room and I was in total shock and in tears.  I told both the installer and his assistant that I was totally disappointed in the quality of work.  I was asked to give 1/2 of the remaining balance because they would have to order more material to rectify the window treatment that was incorrectly made.

I called Mr. Lachman and told him I was very dissatified with the quality of work he had just provided.  His initial response was, "Did I pay the guy?"  He proceeded to tell me that is the way their window treatment is made and it doesn't matter if you are in a million dollar home or one hundred thousand dollar home and that concluded the conversation.

My husband arrived home after work and his comment was, Those custom drapes really look cheap for the amount of money we are paying for them."

I have had custom window treatment done in several houses and I have never been disappointed; however, this is the poorest of poor quality.  I don't understand how someone can remain in business doing this type of work.  We work very hard for our money; therefore, we paid for quality and expect quality.