Budget Blinds

I ordered blinds from Budget Blinds and was told the blinds would be ready in two weeks. It has been two months and I still do not have my blinds. I can never reach the person who took my order. He never answers his phone and if I send an email, he will respond with excuses. I just want people to be aware that this company is not all that reputable. I contacted their corporate office by email, and they have never responded.

We ordered window treatments for our bedroom and sliding door in the living room. The bedroom treatments look like they were purchased at Target. The quality and workmanship are extremely poor. The pleats are uneven within each panel and across panels. Lining is insufficient to block out the light resulting in the color not looking uniform. The corners are not uniform. The material goes out more on the three windows than on the single window. There is a total lack of uniformity. The single window has narrower panels than the three windows above the bed.

The Roman shade on the sliding door was purchased to insulate against the cold. The consultant measured and never said that the door was not squared. Also the door handle sticks out so that the shade can not be flush. This results in cold air still coming in the home. We should have been advised at the initial consultation about this and guided to a better choice for the door.

The consultant came to take pictures. She said that they were fine and I was being too picky. I informed her that we did not purchase custom window treatments that looked like this and we are not paying the balance nor keeping them. I said that we would live with the Roman shade in the living room. She said that the deposit did not even cover her costs. I said that this was not my problem and she stormed out of my home. I believe that this was quite unprofessional.

I purchased and paid cash for blinds, worth $3,809.00 from Budget Blinds of Nottingham, Elkton, MD. The owners of the franchise are Mark and Chris Frieberg. After the payment was made, the project was not completed, and repeated telephone calls to the Friebergs have gone unanswered. We are still owed products! I will make it a priority to tell everyone I know not to purchase anything from any Budget Blinds franchise.

My husband and I ordered our wooden blinds in September of 2011, and they were installed in October. At the time of the initial consultation, I told Mark I wanted to keep the cost down, and I didn't know much about wooden blinds. He only brought one sample book, and told me to pick between 3 colors. He never sat down to explain there were other color choices (I assume because they were more expensive). Since we had ordered shades from them years ago and were pleased, we assumed the same this time. Once the wooden blinds were installed, I didn't care for them. The craftsmanship and installation was great.

I tried calling the salesman's cellphone number, but it would always go into voicemail. I called the office directly and spoke to Scott. I explained that it was totally my fault, I just wanted to see other colors. He even got me a discount with the manufacturer. Then things went downhill. It took several weeks to get the entire sample book from him. I had to keep calling to get it. When I finally got it and chose another color, he said he would place the order, however, I wanted someone to come by to make sure my new choice would work, and to also return the sample book. It's been like pulling teeth to get someone to come by. I've decided to keep what I have, because I'm tired of playing telephone tag, and hate the lack of follow up customer service. It appears to me they are customer-oriented, until a customer isn't happy, then they forget about you. I still have the book. Maybe they will eventually remember and contact me.

Product was incorrectly measured, the return mounted on the door frames for the blinds was too small for the blinds, the quality of the curtain was not as it was shown to me in the sample book. I demanded a full refund and the franchise owner is refusing to do this, argued repeatedly with me and has not returned our phone calls. The installer agreed that the blinds were not measured correctly, that the blinds' return could not possibly fit the blinds we ordered, and lamented the fact that he had to go back and deal with this franchise's owner particularly after my heated discussion with his boss.

As a Budget Blinds franchisee, I am writing this in response to what I have read here. I think it is very important to understand that each Budget Blinds franchise is independently owned and operated. It appears to me that these complaints encompass around 10 franchisees out of nearly 1000. Our (local) business has grown and flourished as a result of word of mouth, and we have never once had a major complaint and every non-major issue has been resolved to our customers' satisfaction.

Our attitude towards being the very best in this business is not ours alone but is shared by all of our neighboring franchisees and I'm guessing that this is the prevailing attitude of the others. No doubt there are some ** who shouldn't be in this business and it appears from some of the comments that some of them aren't any longer and the others that are pulling this sort of charlatanry will soon follow. These complaints are being posted nationally but reflect poor business practices of local independent owners. I would encourage the reader to contact any business they are considering working with to obtain a list of referrals and check them out with their local BBB.

If you are a reader boiling with rage over your mistreatment, please remember that you could damage the reputation of hard-working, honest business owners who have families just like you who truly want to serve their customers. In fairness, beware of Budget Blinds of Timbuktu and that ** Cletus rather than just Budget Blinds. If you want to hurt these people, it needs to be done at the local level. Anyway, report them to your BBB and Angie's list and any other local consumer advocacy group. I personally apologize if you have been mistreated by a Budget Blinds owner but if you move to my city, I would love the opportunity to prove to you that the vast majority of us will exceed your expectations.

Never buy from this company! I bought blinds from this location several years back. It is practically impossible to get someone out to service the blinds. They will not return phone calls for repairs. I'm in need of a repair of a blind and the company will not return my phone calls for over 6 months.

Needless to say, I bought the blinds from Budget Blinds not knowing about your individual franchises. I think this is misrepresentation, and it does not reflect positively on your company name.

Seven of the eleven blinds we bought were non-functional in 14 to 16 months after installation. They were of sub-standard construction with cheap plastics in the tilter mechanism. We found out that in the end, the local franchisee who is Emily **** had established a supply relationship with blind vendor not approved by Budget Blinds Corporate Office. These blinds only had a one-year warranty as opposed to the standard Budget Blinds' 5-year warranty. The fabricator went out of business not too long after we bought the blinds. We're not surprised. Budget Blinds of the Woodlands refused to answer our calls or e-mails or to provide any form of satisfaction.

My wife and I had a custom house constructed in an upscale neighborhood and we purchased window treatments from Budget Blinds. Big mistake! We first contacted them in December 2010. A rep came to our house and dropped off sample books and we picked out what we liked. We were also searching other vendors. The rep stayed in contact with us regularly, always offering a better price. We decided to do business with Budget Blinds and on February 19, 2011 they charged our credit card $4454.72. Upon installation of the window treatments, my wife closely examined them and we were not satisfied with the appearance or the quality. They looked cheap! This is a $450,000 house and we are not happy. We contacted the rep and pointed out what we didn't like and she informed us that is was an easy fix and she would contact "home office" and get authority to do what was necessary to make us happy. Then I noticed a charge on my credit card for $192.95. This was an unauthorized charge.

When I questioned the rep about this she said it was a 2% charge if we paid cash but since we used a credit card we were billed that amount. First of all, this should have been addressed on the initial charge. Secondly, do the math! 2% of $4454.72 is $89.09! They overcharged me $103.86 without consulting me first! Then we get an email stating the additional cost to make the blinds to our satisfaction would be $1079.09! We were so disgusted we told them to come get the blinds and refund our money. The owner said we would not get a refund. The front windows were supposed to be wood shutters for arched windows.

We never received them because they were damaged in shipment and were being remade. I told the owner we would just keep the blinds as is but we were not doing business with them and we were canceling the wood blinds and wanted a refund. She said we were not getting a refund. So, I guess we will let a judge decide what is fair. We are totally aghast at the lack of professionalism and the poor quality of the product of Budget Blinds. If you are considering doing business with Budget Blinds, don't do it! Since this fiasco we have discovered numerous similar experiences from unwary consumers. What a shame businesses like this are allowed to stay in business.

On 6 Jan 2010, I ordered shutters from Adrienne, but when I checked on the order of my shutters, she would give me some excuse why they were not in. Finally in early Nov, she called me and told me they were here. I called her right back, but always got her voicemail after that point, I have called and called, but she will not call me back. I have paid $1135.63 and have no shutter, and no contact with her. She has since closed her business.

My mistake was trusting this guy. He forgot to indicate on the order form that the blinds for the other room were another color. I did not look at the contract carefully. He ordered one color for the whole house and charged me for them, for the installation of the wrong blinds. And he did not install the blinds. They are sitting on my living room floor. He offered to order some other blinds which were supposed to be ivory, and made the same mistake on the new order form. I have the order form with three paprika blinds and three white valances. Imagine how that would look. Had I signed the other order, I would have gotten three more of the wrong color blinds.

The company has no concerns for customer satisfaction. And be sure you read the order form carefully. The return policy is tricky. You cannot return them if you are not satisfied. It's because you don't get the blinds in the three days required to cancel the order. If you order something and it is not what you want, the company is too small to coup the mistake and they will ask you to pay for it anyway. There's no customer service department to complain to. You will find yourself in court and the judge will not listen to your side. Go to a company with a customer service department concerned about their customers' satisfaction. I was ordered to have to pay for blinds that are sitting on my living room floor. There is no store. This company operates from their home. I got their number from a sign on the side of the road. I guess you call that kicked to the curb service. I am writing this so that they won't do this to anybody else.

I wrote this to the parent company: I saw a sign on the side of the road, Budget Blinds. I called them. Tmo ** came out and gave me an estimate for the rooms on the front of the house. I had another designer come out and give me an estimate earlier. The Budget Blinds estimate was cheaper so I decided to go with them. After picking paprika blinds for the front of my house and the price was good, I asked Mr. ** to give me an estimate on my bedroom. I told him that I wanted white for the bedroom. Another designer said that it would not be too bad because it was in another part of the house. He was in a hurry to get home to watch his kids so his wife could go to an appointment. He mentioned that most people install the same color blinds over the whole house. He said, "It's your house. Do what you want." We discussed the color and he wrote it up and I signed it.

Now, I don't have a problem paying for what I want. When the blinds came, he ordered the same color for the whole house. I saw them and told him not to hang the dark blinds in my bedroom, so he left them there. I federal expressed them back to him, and he returned them back to me. There is no useable return policy. I paid for the blinds he installed and they are nice. But I don't think it is fair to ask me to pay for blinds sitting in my floor that are the wrong color. He called me after I sent the check for the blinds that were installed. He told me, "You made a big mistake by ordering merchandise and not paying for it. I'm going to take you to court."

We went to court. The judge did not let me show him that on the other order form he made the same mistake twice. He really did not hear my part at all. Mr. ** charged me for installation of blinds that are sitting on my living room floor. When he reordered at what he offered half price, he ordered three more paprika colored blinds and ivory valances. Imagine how that would look. Again, he was not the least bit concerned with whether I was satisfied or not. I will have to pay for the mistake. But he made a mistake on the order and he did it twice.

I just want you to know how I was treated and to let you know that you are not being very well represented. There is no customer service for this situation at all. There's no customer satisfaction considered at all. The only concern was for the money. For my experience, Budget Blinds was a rip-off, and I am sure that is not what you want for a reputation. Thank you for hearing my complaint. I will be posting a review, so that he will not do this same thing to anyone else. I call what he did to me, street customer service. My girlfriends and everyone I have talked to asked me what did you expect. You picked him up off of the streets.

I just wanted to reinforce that no one should deal with Budget Blinds. I ordered a blind on June 2, 2010 and have not received the blind that were paid in full.

If you do deal with them, don't pay until you have the blinds. Also, it's not a good idea to deal with a company that has no control over their franchises. It is sad that we still have these kinds of deadbeat businesses that are allowed to stay in business.

I ordered blinds from Joe on 8/3/10. I gave a deposit 2/3 of the total amount in cash. He told us would those will arrive in 3 weeks. He will not return calls. I guess I will have to take him to court. Beware of this man!

I order blinds from Joe on 8/28/10 and gave a deposit of 1/2. I was told the blinds would arrive in 3 weeks. On October 4th, I began trying to contact Joe with no response. Check was cashed 4 days after written. Still no response from Joe after daily attempts to contact.

On May 13, 2010 we ordered blinds from Greg ** of Budget Blinds for our entire house at a cost of $4400. Greg required a 75% deposit, which we paid. The largest blind for our slider, which cost $1620, came in incorrect (vertical vs. horizontal close). It was reordered and the second one was delivered and installed, but had no hardware (handle and top valence) and it was 4 inches too short and looks awful. We asked Greg to replace it with the correct size and he ranted and raved that it was our fault that we told him how long to make it, which is absurd.

If we knew how to measure blinds we would have measured and purchased them at Home Depot or Lowes. He agreed to replace it. It is now October 7 and Greg has disappeared and will not return our calls. The $1100 balance will not cover the cost to replace the blind elsewhere. I contacted customer service at Budget Blind headquarters and was told that they have no control over their franchises. We want resolution but have no recourse. Buyers beware. Do not ever use Budget Blinds.

I ordered 4 drapes on August 20, 2010 and Mr. ** said they would take 3 weeks. It is now September 28, 2010, no sign of my drapes and Mr. ** has repeatedly not returned my calls. I put $1,500.00 down and I am beginning to think I'm being ripped off.

On June 2. 2010, I ordered 1 Duette Architella blind and I paid the cost $327.90 in full. I mentioned that I was going to have 4 windows replaced with the energy saving windows and she said if I would call her a few day in advance of the window installers coming that she would come out and take down my blinds and rehang because sometimes there are problems with window installers hanging the blind. Prior to the window installers coming in, I called three times and there was no response. The installers put in the new windows and rehung 3 of the blinds with no problems.

Seven week into the order, I called Budget Blinds and they told me that the blind was on back order, but that it would be in two weeks. After three weeks there were still no blinds. This time, she said something about a remake. They did come in and put up a temporary blind up. On Sept 2nd, I called and Adrienne called back. She said that she just got off the phone with the shipper and that it was being shipped out. This is the 19th of Sept, there is no phone call about the blind and no blind. I have had 2 other blinds made by Budget Blinds and no problems except being extremely slow, but not as slow as this (110 days) and still no blind. They need classes in communications with their customers. I always made the phone call about the status of my blind. They never called me to tell me of a back order or remake. Maybe, if I would have given half the down payment, they would have put in an effort to get the blind to the customer in much less time.

I am responding to this customers comments regarding her experience with our Budget Blinds of North and South Brunswick. I am truly sorry that Nancy is unhappy with her blinds. Jim and I spent quite a bit of time with her at the sales appointment and listened to what her needs were. It was clear that she wanted inside mount blinds and we were able to do this for her in the other room. The measurements for the bedrooms were discussed in great detail and I showed her exactly where the blinds would hang on every window. Nancy wanted her shades to look like an inside mount even though there was no room to install them inside. She was more concerned about seeing the frames of the windows.

We explained to her that light would come in through the sides if installed this way. We measured every bedroom window like this and she was fully aware at that time that they would not go to the edge of the molding. At the installation we again discussed why it was done like this and I explained to her that is what she had decided upon. She agreed, paid us the balance, said she loved her new blinds and thanked us. She even recommended us to her neighbor as we were loading our van. A few days later it was clear she didnt love them anymore.

It is our job to give the customer what they request, within reason. No mistakes were made on her order; the measurements were discussed at great length. If we had made a mistake we would have been more than happy to reorder the blinds at our expense. We have 13 years in the window covering business and It is always are intention to provide great service and we pride ourselves in having many happy and satisfied customers.

They put completely the wrong color of blinds in my kitchen and refused to accomodate a change, I spent over $10,000 dollars on this company and the same happened in the bathroom but I was able to correct it before the order was processed. The aggressive, non professional attitude of Alan and the rest of the sales force is one on it's own. Buyer beware, not reccomended.

While measuring, Jim (husband and partner) kept telling me they were trained professionals. Another room was measured properly. Why would I not know what I wanted. Black out has to cover the light. $1500 later for 2 rooms' blinds, they got my money and I have poorly fitted blinds. I advise all never to deal with Budget Blinds. The cost is prohibitive and the product is "eyeballed" on instillation with a very nonchallant attitude now that they have your money. I foolishly paid 80% upfront. Shame on me. Shame on the con artists.

We order shutters for my window and roller shades for my french door.After then,installer came to my home and installed all the things.But at that time he told us the big window shutters frame and shutters door have both side gap so if you want to close the shutters door so you have to do shutter door little up then you can close the door . Roller shade has also problem like we can't open and close properly and top part didn't expanded well. On that day installer try second time on that window shutter he remove all that part and fix again but he didn't resolved the problem.so our total cost is $2300 we already paid $1700 and installation day i paid $400.

So$200left,i talked with SUSAN who is the owner of the company,please fix these two things properly because it doesn't look good and when you will fix properly i will give you $200. I told her i have no problem about to give you money but if i fully paid the amount after that nobody listen my problem and nobody will take my call so resolve those thing and on the spot i will give you $200.SUSAN and her installer came to my home and so quickly they remove shutters all nails even they remove bottom sealing,too.SUSAN said the problem is your window is not perfect so i told her when you took the measurement at that time you have to told us.

SUSAN remove the old roman shade and put on the new one on the door but the problem is the same like before oneSUSAN said maker made the roman shade like this so we can't to nothing about this one,too.Now give me my $200 if you don't give me i will take you to the court,and said i don't want to talk with this NONSENSE LADY.I cried and wrote the $200 cheque.After that SUSAN closed my front door so hardly and they gone even they didn't seal the window shutters.

Get in - Get the check. Get out seems to be a theme after I read all the other posts/complaints about this company on the internet and the Clarksville Budget Blinds is no exception.

They take a check so you will not get your money back when they ** over. Tom and Bonnie ** are typical Budget Blinds franchise owners, which means all they care about is the money plain and simple. They could care less about making you happy after you trust them with your money. The customer service with this franchise is a complete joke. You will end up calling a million times but they will not call you back. My order sat for three weeks until I finally got a call returned saying that there was a "clerical error" and they had thought my order was delivered. But they found my order on the "bottom of the pile" as they put it.

When they finally arrived to put my blind up, it was the wrong size. Then these people have the nerve to blame me. They said it was my fault that the blind wasn't the right size and refused to fix the problem. These people know exactly how to rip you off. They gave me a barely legible receipt that wasn't even signed and ran off with my money.

3) Trust doesn't go as far as it used to when money is involved.

Buyer be ware! What kind of franchise's is Budget Blinds unleashing on the public at large? Greggory Scott H., DBA Budget Blinds and there are others! As of 2/26/2010, I have conducted business with Budget Blinds, twice in the last few years. That was a mistake, now that I have researched information about other franchise's, I've learned my experience is repeated many times over. This second time or chance is becoming a repeat nightmare of my first experience, dealing with this company. I wanted matching products from my first purchase is the only reason I tried again.

My first experience with Budget Blinds took almost 4 months to complete the job, (for two windows), promised in 4 to 6 week! There are no informational calls about delays, unless I do the calling! The interaction of the few calls taken are exploited as to present one excuse after another. Appointments are made, delayed and then canceled entirely, leaving my family with lost income and frustration. Perhaps I am too willing to give local companies a second chance. The appointment we made to measure my windows for this second order, was canceled due to an unexpected meeting. Subsequently, an employee explained the so-called meeting was a golf game!

Additionally, I was told as a repeat customer a 10% deposit was required to order and the balance due at the time of installation. I now have a bill from the finance company for the full amount with a payment due 4/7/2010, requiring me to pay for something that I don't have, there is a promotional clock ticking on merchandise, I can't get installed. After calling on 3/19/2010, to find out about the status of my order, one (1) week after the promised completion date and the payment date looming, I was told the merchandise was "found" in the warehouse. The first available appointment to complete the contract was 3/23/2010, nearly one (1) month from the signing of the contract and nearly (2) two week beyond the promised completion date. With a great deal of frustration this appointment was canceled at the last minute, just as before.

The quality of the service I've received on these two occasions from this company, several years apart, are substandard even by the pathetic contractor reputations in South Florida and tell of a habitual problem within Budget Blinds. So, I've had it with this treatment and misrepresentation, and requested the cancellation of the contract and all monies charge to the promotional account I opened for this project refunded.

I would prefer to purchase the window coverings for my home from a more reliable and reputable company in the future. I can only hope Budget Blinds Corporate doesn't turn a blind eye to this problem, and put profit before is customers or it's reputation. Budget Blinds has $848.22 of my money, and I have no blinds. GE Money (the Finance Company) will not place this account into dispute prior to my first payment, if at all. I cannot afford this, as I am a 100% disabled Veteran and I don't have the money to pay for these blinds twice.

I cannot raise Scott on any phone now, and would like to get my money back (with interest and costs for delay if possible.)

We were waiting for the final step of installing shutters to be completed B4 putting our house on the market. This delayed us getting our house to market & now the buyers are drying up & the season for selling is almost over & we are 4 months behind in our shedule of moving overseas due to Scott Habel's incompetence. My wife has had to leave & take up her new position while I stay behind to sort out our problem & sell the house.

On March 12, 2008, Rantz came to my home to measure for Plantation Shutters for my Living Room, Foyer and Dining area at that time I was given the total price for the item, in which he stated $1, 476.00 also that it would take five to six weeks for the merchandise to arrive when I did not hear from him when the seventh week approached I called his office left a voice message with no return call, I called again the next day left a message several times.

I begin to think that was unusal for a business not to be open on a business day I then called from a cell phone then some one answered by the name Kristy I believe she stated she had not been in the office that is the reason she had not returned my call neverthless I had just called from my home number no answer, but when I called from my cell she answered. That is when she stated she would give Rantz the message that is when all the lies from her began. At one point she stated that Rantz would give me my money back, but I would have to meet him some place there was one lie after another.

As of today May 28, 2008 I am still waiting to be refunded my $750.00 back. He cashed my check the same day with no problem I am out of money and have not been given the merchandise.

This has made a very stressful situation causing me to loose sleep I am very, very upset to be out of that amount of money the way the economic is for someone that is suppose to be a honest person with a business license to take advantage of hard working people. I would like to be refunded my money also something need to be done with Rantz and the person that answers his phone I think she goes by Kristy she is in this with him all the way to the bank she tells one lie after another.

On 11/2/07 I ordered shutters from Johnathan Cartier of Budget Blinds. At that time I was told I would receive them in approximately 5 weeks. It is 4 months later and I still have no shutters. I contacted the Corporate Office of Budget Blinds and was told to try to work this out with the franchise involved. At the Corporate Office, I spoke with Desiree. She was of no help. Every time I contact Johnathan, I was told the shutters are still in production. On 2/28/08, I contacted the Corporate Office again and asked them how long it typically takes to get shutters after they are ordered. The told me approximately 7-8 weeks. I asked them about my order and again they referred me to the franchise. I did get the telephone number for the factory from them.

On 2/29/08, I called the factory and spoke with Carolyn. I gave her my name, Budget Blinds/Johnathan Cartier's name, and what I had ordered. She said that ordered was placed on 2/28/08 - approximately 3 months and 2 weeks after the original order date. On 3/3/08, I called Johnathan again. I told him I had talked to the factory and what they told me. He said that was not true. Then he said my order had been lost at the factory. If that was the case, why didn't Johnathan call me and tell me what happened? At that time nothing was made, I should have had the opportunity to cancel instead of having to wait even longer. I feel that I have been lied to and would prefer not to do business with Budget Blinds.

I have lost respect and trust in this individual, his local franchise, and the Corporate Office of Budget Blinds. I feel I deserve a full refund. If Johnathan would have been honest and called me and told me what had happened (if the order was really lost at the factory) I should have had the choice whether or not to reorder. I was not given this opportunity. I think when I ordered my shutters on 11/2/08, my money went to pay other bills and that is why my shutters were not ordered until 2/20/08. I still have not received my shutters. On 2/28/08 I was told the shutters would be here on Tuesday 3/4/08. Today, 3/3/08, I was told the shutters would not be here until 3/6/08. How long will this go on?