On May 12, 2008 I entered into a contract with Steve Brown from SB Floor Coverings. He was to provide and install 2500 sq ft of hardwood floor throughout my house, lay tile in the foyer and bathroom and stain the staircase to match the floor colour. We explained to him that we would only agree to the contract if he could have all work done by the end of May because we were renting until our house was finished being renovated. He swore over and over that this would not be a problem and promised that the product/hardwood would be delivered in a week and that work would start immediately.
He insisted that he needed a 50% deposit. I felt uncomfortable with giving him a 50% deposit and wanted to only give 10%. He told us over and over that we had nothing to worry about and that it was standard to provide 50% up front. I guess because of my desperation to get our house ready for move in I agreed to pay a 50% deposit of $9310.
Then the nightmare began. Immediately after he received the cheque he rushed to the bank, got it certified and took it to a place called the 'Cash Store' (similar to Money Mart) and cashed it.
After he took the money he became impossible to get a hold of. Many of the phone numbers he provided are out of service, Apparently his business is not located at the address listed and the only way to reach him is on his cell which usually has a full mailbox. There is no way to get a hold of this guy. On the few occasions that I was able to leave a message, it would take days for him to call me back and he just told me lie after lie. Every time the hardwood was to be delivered it never arrived and we would never here from Steve.
I have made numerous calls to Steve Brown demanding my money back. He has not returned any of my calls. It has become evident that he never even ordered the hardwood from his supplier and had no intention of ever doing so.
Please check the Better Business Bureau report for SB Floor Coverings (23 claims) and his history of small claims court appearances as a defendent (numerous).
I hope that justice will be served and I will get my $9310 deposit back.
Mary
Whitby, Ontario
Canada
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