I needed to get two antiques reupholstered - an armchair & a small couch/settee. I picked some fabrics (w/out a price list) provided by Avi with the understanding that the he would get back to me with an estimate so I could confirm whether or not I wanted to use the fabrics. He couldn't even give a ballpark figure, took my furniture, then, over the phone, gave me a very high figure that I couldn't afford, when I asked to see some cheaper fabrics, he said he'd already ordered the fabrics and that now he stood to lose a lot of money. I was confused as to why he had gone ahead & ordered the fabric when he hadn't even prepared an estimate. Meanwhile, he had my furniture. Nothing was written down, which I complained about several times. I know I should have been more alert during all of this but I was getting my masters degree, working full time teaching and getting married so I wasn't as focused and proactive as I should have been. Finally I agreed to give him the sette (couch) if he would give me a break on the armchair. He agreed and didn't give me much of a break. Then I mailed the $100 deposit that he required in March. I had my wedding & graduation, when I got back in touch with him in July, he said he never got the deposit. So I was really fed up so I went to his shop to pick up the armchair. When I got there I saw that he had already stripped it of all the upholstery. All that was there was a wooden frame. No padding of any type. I asked him, ""If you didn't get the deposit, why did you strip the chair?? Why didn't you call & tell me you didn't receive the deposit?"" I checked my check register & I definitely sent it to him. The check was never cashed. This furniture was in my deceased mom's family for about 100 years. It is more sentimental than anything. Now it is gone. He has both the couch & the frame of the chair. I received nothing. \r
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If you choose to work with Avi, be sure to get everything in writing before you let him take your furniture!!!
Pros: No pros.
Cons: A terrible business man.
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