Local Guides World
James M
1 reviews on 1 places
I would avoid this store at all costs. I had the most apalling experience at PaintBox West Village having been recommended to use this framers for 3 pieces of artwork.
The owner of the store was very happy to charge me the full price of $1600 when I handed over my art after selecting the frames. I was told it would take 7 days and while it seemed odd not to take a deposit, I obliged. He told me he would call when the art was ready.
14 days later I had not received a call. I went back to the store and luckily the pieces were ready. I reviewed 2 of the 3 in the store and took them home. When I unpacked the third item, it was clear that the mount was scratched with almost a glue like substance leaving marks around the painting. I subsequently returned them to the store, very understanding that these things happen. The owner assured me he would have it fixed 4 days later and would call me.
As before, there was never a call and so I returned once again to the store where I was told that actually my art was yet to be fixed and he would need another 5 days. At this point, the owner has little remorse and seems to laugh at the situation as if my small order was the least of their priorities.
I explained that while I appreciate there are delays, I was more shocked by his lack of understanding that there is clearly an imposition to me as a customer. He proceeded to take his license of the wall, slam it on the table in front of me and show me the text that says 'NO REFUNDS NO EXCHANGES.' I was appalled at his level of rudeness at which point I demanded my items immediately and I would reframe elsewhere. He actually grabbed me by the wrist as I tried to pick up the artwork and leave the store. It was quite a shocking experience.
Overall, I've learnt my lesson. Never pay the full amount up front when you are leaving valuable art in someone else's possession, especially if they have yet to provide the service. $1600 may not be a lot of money to him as the store owner, but he treated me appallingly, making my purchase seem unimportant and irrelevant for his business.
I left with damaged artwork, having spent $1600 with no offer of even partial compensation for the trouble he had caused me. I will never return to this location and explained to him in person that I would be writing this review. A truly awful experience.
The owner of the store was very happy to charge me the full price of $1600 when I handed over my art after selecting the frames. I was told it would take 7 days and while it seemed odd not to take a deposit, I obliged. He told me he would call when the art was ready.
14 days later I had not received a call. I went back to the store and luckily the pieces were ready. I reviewed 2 of the 3 in the store and took them home. When I unpacked the third item, it was clear that the mount was scratched with almost a glue like substance leaving marks around the painting. I subsequently returned them to the store, very understanding that these things happen. The owner assured me he would have it fixed 4 days later and would call me.
As before, there was never a call and so I returned once again to the store where I was told that actually my art was yet to be fixed and he would need another 5 days. At this point, the owner has little remorse and seems to laugh at the situation as if my small order was the least of their priorities.
I explained that while I appreciate there are delays, I was more shocked by his lack of understanding that there is clearly an imposition to me as a customer. He proceeded to take his license of the wall, slam it on the table in front of me and show me the text that says 'NO REFUNDS NO EXCHANGES.' I was appalled at his level of rudeness at which point I demanded my items immediately and I would reframe elsewhere. He actually grabbed me by the wrist as I tried to pick up the artwork and leave the store. It was quite a shocking experience.
Overall, I've learnt my lesson. Never pay the full amount up front when you are leaving valuable art in someone else's possession, especially if they have yet to provide the service. $1600 may not be a lot of money to him as the store owner, but he treated me appallingly, making my purchase seem unimportant and irrelevant for his business.
I left with damaged artwork, having spent $1600 with no offer of even partial compensation for the trouble he had caused me. I will never return to this location and explained to him in person that I would be writing this review. A truly awful experience.