Browsers Welcome

Melvin Satterfield gave me an estimate on re-finishing a table last spring. He was here during our kitchen remodel and stated that he also refinished hardwood floors and would like a chance to give us an estimate. We decided not to refinish the table we had gotten an estimate for, but we did contact him again about the floor refinishing. Melvin gave us a quote of $1275 to re-finish the floors, including adding flooring where we had changed the cabinet layout. After multiple attempts on Melvin's part to complete the job, he was unable to do so because he a) didn't have the right equipment and b) did not have experience with our particular type of floor (which he never mentioned until he had already made a mess of things). We had already paid him $1000 and then had to pay another floor company to come in and do the job properly. The only thing that had initially appeared to have been done correctly, were the new boards. However, come to find out a few months later, even that was not done correctly and now the boards are shrinking, leaving big gaps in the floor. I have had other flooring companies here to evaluate the problem and they say it is because the wood was not acclimated first, which the installer should have known to do. Before the gaps became apparent, I had discussed a partial refund with Melvin to make up for paying the other floor company to finish his job. We eventually agreed that instead, he would re-finish my dining table and chairs and apply the $ paid to him for the floor toward the dining set, and I would owe another $500 on top of that. I received my dining set back in December and it looks awful. Uneven finish, rough to the touch, I could go on and on. Looks worse than before the refinish began. I have pictures of all the flooring and the dining set that I am happy to share if it will help someone else to avoid what I've experienced. We tried to resolve this with Melvin on our own, which he agreed to do, and has now refused to follow through with. We are in the process of working with the BBB and filing a suit in small claims court. I am 45 years old and I have never once, taken the time to write a complaint about any business. That should tell you something about how disappointed we are in the quality of work. more

Mr. Melvin Satterfield is a very humorous man who is not only nice to his customers, but his employees as well; something you simply do not see in alot of bosses. I walked in one day and asked him for a price on my antique wardrobe closet and he offered me a discount. He was very respectful and nice, and someone that can get the job done. i brought my closet in the next day and he took it and made it look like new by the end of the third day! I could not believe it. That thing had been sitting in our basement for so long, but I never knew how beautiful it was! Melvin introduced me to a couple employees and they talked with me while he was crunching numbers. I was very pleased with the pricing, and I have came back twice since then for a couple antique chair repairs. The only thing I do not like about Browser's Welcome is that people give it a bad rap. Alot of people leave here happy, but only a couple write a bad review. Actually, remembering it better, when he called me down to pick it up, there was an unexpected streak left from one of the employees who must have accidentally rubbed against it when it was being stripped and steel-wooled. Melvin's employee immediately took notice and informed Melvin. He offered me a 10% discount on it and I picked it up the next day, with a complimentary coupon. I may not have alot of experience as a reviewer, but I know quality work when I see it. I am giving Browser's Welcome a 5-Star rating for absolute satisfaction. Other companies around here would have avoided me and just would've shoved the messed up furniture on me, but Melvin gave me a nice discount. That was nice and I am proud to have written this review for him! more

My experience with this business has finally come to an end. It began in August 2009 w/an estimate and ended today w/a ""resolution"". While Mr. Satterfield probably does good work - that was most definitely not my experience. From showing a disgusted look when asked to reupholster a comtemporary sofa, to a lack of punctuality to saying I had 5-6 yards of fabric left, then 2 yards, then couldn't find it at all (couldn't even recall what it looked like) to offering to reimburse me (begrudgingly) for 2 yards - it was a nightmare. Let's see I was accused of not being a ""sistah"" and supporting black businesses. Is this enough? If not - check out the full details on Angie's list of my review. Pros: Does upholstery work... Cons: Does upholstery work... more