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Review 5/24/2010
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DO NOT PATRONIZE THE KITCHEN CONNECTION!!!
In October of 2009, The Kitchen Connection of Los Angeles sent a salesman, Howard Braverman, to discuss refinishing/remodeling our kitchen cabinets. They were in great shape already, but we didn't like the color at all. He proposed "skinning" the cabinets with a thin veneer on the surfaces, and replacing the doors. He further suggested that we use a plastic/synthetic wood product because it would last longer than real wood, be easier to clean, and be cheaper.
He told us about The Kitchen Connection's great reputation doing work for celebrities and showed us lots of favorable reviews. He said that for the kind of work we were looking for we'd normally have to pay up to $30,000 but he'd get us a great deal. His quote came to $15,284 but to lock in that price, we'd have to sign a contract immediately and give a $1000 deposit. I objected to making a rash decision, so he assured me the deposit was refundable anytime within 3 days. I agreed and gave him a check.
To comparison shop, I called a couple other cabinet makers for a bid. The next day, two others arrived and gave me estimates. One bid $9,500 for the very same job and the second went further by bidding the job with REAL Cherry wood and total replacement of the cabinet faces - not just skinning with veneer. Amazingly, his price was only $8,500. I accepted this offer and contracted the work to him (G&L Cabinets of Ontario, CA and the finished product was excellent!).
I immediately called The Kitchen Connection to cancel their contract. I was routed to a sales manager who tried to renegotiate the price and went as low as $11,500 if I'd stay with them. I declined and he told me to fax my refund request to them to get my check back. I did so, and got a confirmation fax back. That was the last I ever heard from them.
My check was cashed the day they got it and I never got my deposit back. In the past seven months, I have phone them DOZENS of times, sent faxes and even Certified Mail. No phone call has ever been returned. This company has been in business for quite a while and has mixed reviews on the quality of their work. But I am amazed that nothing can be done to stop their egregious abuse of contracts. Evidently they think that I will tire of the fight and give up my $1000. I am unemployed and have all the time in the world right now to fight them. If I have to sit in court for days, so be it. I plan to visit home shows and picket their booth in the future. I am disgusted at the way they feel they can step on consumers and feel bad that I have to give them even ONE star in this review.
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