I made the biggest mistake of my career by using Excalibur Exhibits and Peggy Swords.
Yes, I read all the bad reports on Excalibur Exhibits online and because they were over a couple of years ago and they (Excalibur) simply said "it was an ex disgruntled employee who wrote them," I used them for my biggest show of the year. What a terrible mistake.
It all started nicely but they were weeks late on my design. The "salesman" said it was because the owner (Peggy Swords) had placed her projests first. and begged me to wait...so I did. I waited and waited and waited for about another month...yes I know, my mistake. Finally, I get a design, it wasn't even close to what I wanted and I finally started calling other exhibit companies around town. Unfortunately, they all said it was too late to do what I needed and make the show deadline, so I reluctently went with Excalibur.
To make a very long story short, they completly missed my show deadline and I had no booth for my companies biggest show of the year!! I was almost fired if it hadn't been for the fact that I had kept my boss in the loop the entire time...it was literally a nightmare! No responses from them as the show came closer and closer. No salesman to be found, Called the owner Peggy Swords and get this, she had the audacity to say "why did you wait till the last minute!!!" Why did you lie and say you "could easily make my show deadline" months before!
In the end we did rent a structure from the show services company which cost a fortune and loooked horrible.
We estimate our loss to be in the hundreds of thousands and that's just monetarily. Not to mention our reputation and PR damage.
My only advice is to please read these and other reports on other sites about this "company!" Don't be conned by all thier awards, all can be bought according to a former emplyee. I could go on and on about this nighmare but why waste any more of my time on these "people."
We found another exhibit company locally and couldn't be happier.
Just my warning.
Bob
Alabama,#2REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, July 14, 2015
We have over the last 23 years have built, supported some of the largest Houston companies event programs... that being said, the nature of our business is not perfect. We have great pride in the challenge of creating the best experience for our exhibitors and partners... We have invested consistently over the years and yes the timelines and expecations can be overwhelming.. As a matter of fact, our sister comapny Exhibitforce.com has created the most advanced event exhibt platform that is utilized by over 300 exhibit houses worldwide...and many fortune 500 companies.
I would suggest you call me so we can discuss and settle your displute with 2020 including a total refund. We understand the nature of our business and the decorators that control the timelilnes. We are not always in a position to argue with them ... We are always challenged everyday and i can tell you from experience, we have done as much for an industry as we have.
I will gladly take your call cell @ 291 772 4418..
The Houston market has some fine exhibit houses and can only vouch for our committment to your success..
Sincerely
Bob Babine
#3Author of original report
Mon, June 22, 2015
Yes Mr. Babine, 20/20 let us down also, but not quite to the degree Excalibur Exhibits did.
I find it nobel yet curious that you would make excuses for a particular company, a competitor at that, whom your sales people bad mouthed (Highly unprofessional) when I was at your office telling them my issues.
It seems as if the Houston Exhibit /Trade Show business is a very incestous group to say the least. We are even contemplating pulling out of all Houston area Trade Shows due to the inabilty to find a Houston vendor with any degree of integirty.
There were also many complaints Mr. Babine about your company on the OTC show floor. I would look internally first before you defend the actions of another company simply due to the fact that they are in the same business as yours.
We also happily create very expensive drawings, plans and proposals for clients at no cost to them. However, we do this because the market bears it and we don't whine about how it's done. We just do it better then anyone else. it's simply a cost of doing /getting business.
Please try that business model and NEVER complain about a down economy in the energy business. It will always have a certain volitility to it.
Bob
Alabama,#4REBUTTAL Individual responds
Fri, May 01, 2015
We are all in this business to make things happen come hell or high water... the timelines and expectations of instant designs and revisions are overwhelming all our systems. Planning for a very high level tradeshow requires time. Our designers are the best in the business but short time frames overwhelm the process and the expectations. Our industry consistently doees specutliive bidding and it is very expensive when we lose projects. The average loss is as much as 4 to 1 as the bidding process is not neceesarily fiair.... that being said, i firmly believe Excalibur does have the best interest in the industry and we are all in a position of zero failure ratess... its a diffiuclt busintess and appreciate the comments but as an owner of a company, stay true to your words and know these clients and or prospects will be faithful and appreciative of hard work and work well done.. we strive for excellence and accept nothing less...
We hope all goes well with OTC and price of oil increaes in the next year......
Bob Babine
President
2020 Exhibits