We purchased a custom made cedar door for our patio, on-line from Vintage Woodworks in July of 2010. \r
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Based on our conversations with the manufacturer, we were told it would take approximately 4 to 6 weeks to make and ship the door. As we were not sure when the door would be delivered, and we knew we would be traveling in August, we arranged with the manufacturer to have the door shipped to my fiancee's office where someone would be available to receive. \r
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The door was deliveredwhile we were on a cruise sometime during the week of August 9th, 2010. Immediately on return, we opened the box and noted that the door had been damaged in shipping due to poor packing. We notified the Vintage Woodworks about the damage. We asked for a replacement door, and asked that the damaged door be picked up by the freight company so it could be returned to them.\r
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We took pictures of the damage as requested by the Vintage Woodworks, and have done everything possible to help them expedite their claim with their shipping company. \r
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After many phone calls and emails over a two week period, the Vintage Woodworks is now stating they will not replace the door with a new door. They have offered to repair the door ""if I pay to ship it back to them, and then pay again to have it shipped back to me"". This is unacceptable to us as we paid for a new ""undamaged door"" in advance. Additionally, we already paid for the original freight in advance. We believe this is an unfair business practice as we did not damage the door in shipping- that is between their business and the shipping company. \r
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The manufacturer is now stating that the door should not have been delivered without being inspected on delivery. When it was delivered to the office, no such inspection was required. The box was dropped off by the freight company with just a delivery signature. If an inspection was required at the time of drop off, the manufacturer should have provided this information to us in advance as they knew we were having the door shipped to our office. They provided no inspection form, and no such policy was ever provided at the time of purchase. Irrespective of this, the door was damaged in shipping and we just want it replaced. \r
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The issue should be between their company and the shipping company for the damage. We do not feel we should be penalized for poor packing from the factory or damage during the shipping process.\r
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They don't give a hoot about the customer and they are more than willing to treat customers poorly to save a few bucks! I would not recommend this company. Awful experience!\r
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