Spread the news - Do NOT use FastFloors.com!

[NightOwwl]

Please spread far and wide. I purchased $4800.00 worth of hardwood floor and it arrived damaged. I refused the shipment, now they are threatening me with a $2100.00 restocking fee if I don't take the shipent.

I am sorry to use the forum this way, but I don't have enough money for a lawyer. The only way I can fight them back them is online.

DON'T EVER USE FASTFLOORS.COM. THEY WILL SCREW YOU.

:mad: :mad: :mad:

I posted this in the Lounge, so forgive me for the dupe post...but I want as many people to see this as possible.

[aquart]

1. I hope you paid with a credit card.

If you did, call the card company and challenge the sale.

[AirmensMom]

2. Did you pay with a credit card?

[NightOwwl]

10. I did...but I've already paid the credit card company.

:(

[Kingshakabobo]

14. It shouldn't matter if you paid the credit card company.

They can still credit your account if the merchant didn't live up to their end of the bargain.

[titoresque]

15. If you paid with a credit card

from a bank...
The one I bank with ( I'm assuming most banks are the same)will send you a form you fill out detailing the
problem. Once you've faxed or mailed or hand delivered the form back to them they will investigate the problem. In the meantime they return the money to your account.

I reccomend going inside the bank and filling the form out right there and they will fax the form to their fraud department.

Good luck! I hope you nail these bastards!

[Ioo]

16. No worries, you can still refute the charges...

CAll them NOW, they will pull the money from the account of the merchant.

[AirmensMom]

20. Call them.

Most credit card companies give you up to 6 months to dispute a charge on your card. Some are better than others, but they'll go after the merchant and get your money back. Just tell them what happened and the charge will be reversed immediately while they investigate.

[NightOwwl]

23. I'll call them right now! n/t

[AirmensMom]

24. OK! Tell us what happens.

[NightOwwl]

28. On hold now...I will keep you posted....n/t

[brainshrub]

3. If you have pictures, I'll be happy to post your story on my blog.

I'll get their side of the story as well. Who knows, maybe they will get nervous and wave the re-stocking fee?

[NightOwwl]

11. Thanks Brainshrub....

They are trying to strong arm me into accepting re-delivery as we speak. I will definitely take advantage of your offer if needed. :yourock:

[beam me up scottie]

4. Contact the BBB online.

I always check a seller's history with them before I buy.
If I saw a complaint like this there is no way in hell I'd chance making a purchase from them.

Good luck.

[Field Of Dreams]

5. Where are they based?

can you contact the Better Business Bureau both in your state and where they do business?

[NightOwwl]

13. They are in Florida.

Why does that not surprise me. :mad:

[Ravenseye]

17. I'll never do business with an online vendor based in Florida again

I already got screwed by one company. Too many of them base down there simply becasue they can get away with so much. Forget Florida.

[brainshrub]

37. I was raised in Florida.

You are right, it's almost as bad as Nigeria. Actors go to Los Angeles, Brokers go to New York... when scammers want to go "big-time", they head to Florida.

[Greyhound]

34. Both FL & TX are well known havens for this type of scam.

the "laws" in those States make it nearly impossible to prosecute rip-off companies like this. My company's policy is to never do business with firms based in these two States.

[whatever4]

6. And we're in the market too. FASTFLOORS.COM thanks, we sure won't nm

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. What happened that they didn't follow through as per their FAQ site?

http://www.fastfloors.com/faq.htm
From fastfloors.com site:

What if I receive the material and it was damaged in transit?

We deal with some of the largest and most well respected freight companies in the United States and Canada. Their claim ratio is less than 1%. Even taking this into consideration, damage sometimes occurs. We sent you a checklist that outlines how to inspect your order once it arrives. If there is any damaged material, we immediately replace it for you and file a claim with the freight carrier. There is no cost to you for replacement material providing the damage was noted at the time of the delivery. See our Shipping Information page for details.

You are not trying to send back extra flooring. On their site, they state that is what constitutes charging a restocking fee. You state your order was damaged in shipping.

I don't think you need a lawyer. Were it I, would call the company and not settle for speaking with a plebe, and would continue to ask for the next higher up, or seek the corporate numbers to settle this and get your order amended and completed, as per their FAQ policy.

[NightOwwl]

21. I refused the shipment, period....

There was extensive damage to approx 25% of the boxes. The guy who is doing my floor had told me that it's important to get the wood from the same lot/mill, otherwise you might get color mismatches. That's why I didn't want to accept the order.

FYI...Here is the email I received: (bold is mine)

****

Thank you for your recent order. It is my understanding that you wish to return your order Invoice # ######. Returns are only granted within 30 days and only UNOPENED boxes can be returned.

Our return policy requires you to be responsible for not only the restocking fee that the vendor charges but also the actual freight cost and the return freight cost. Below is a break down of these charges. Should you decide to approve this return I would need your signature on this form.

We are sending you this material return form for you to sign and fax to us in order to get your material returned for a credit. Listed below is the breakdown of charges for the return.

Amount Charged On Credit Card: $4,835.58 (Material Only): $4,582.40 LESS

Restocking Fee(Material Only):25%, $1,145.60 Actual Original Freight Cost: $435.00 Return Freight Cost: $435.00 TOTAL COST TO RETURN MATERIAL: $2,015.60

You will receive a total credit in the amount of: $2,819.98

Once our vendor receives the material back, and issues us a credit, we will in turn issue a refund to your credit card for the amount listed above. This process usually takes 30 to 45 days.

In order for us to initiate this return, you must sign and fax this form back to us. The fax number is listed below. If you have any other questions, or we can assist you in any way, please call us toll free at [phone].

*******

Note: I have NOT signed anything!

[Whoa_Nelly]

32. So, have you called them directly?

And explained why you refused shipment re: same lot, over 25% damaged?

Again, never settle for the first person you speak with...be a squeaky wheel.

[NightOwwl]

36. Oh yeah....

over and over and over again.

See post (#30) for an update.

[qanda]

8. Here's a link that may help you

http://www.bbbonline.org/profile.asp?ID=10408061236745195

[NightOwwl]

22. Thanks for the link! n/t

[Verve]

9. Contact your Attorney General's office and also see if they're a member

of the Better Business Bureau. If they are a member of the BBB, file a complaint. BBB companies are motivated to resolve complaints and you'll be hearing from them soon if this is the case.

Simultaneously, you can file a complaint online with the Attorney General's office (I think it has to be in the state the company is in). If there are enough complaints about the company they will file a state lawsuit.

Also, if you purchased with a credit card, call your card and let them know about the dispute. They will do a charge back and will look into the complaint for you.

Lastly, use your complaints as leverage with the company. Definitely let them know you are contacting the Attorney General's office, and BBB. They might decide to work something out rather than have to face third party interventions.

I've had luck using all of these avenues. Just recently I got a check in the mail from the CA Attorney General's office. They had filed a class action lawsuit against this "evil" internet company and won. I had filed the complaint over a year ago and resolved to forget about it until the check arrived.


Good Luck! :hi:

[Rainscents]

12. Call your local TV media and let them expose this shit on TV!!!

You tell them, you're calling BBB, Attorney General and your local TV!!!

[holboz]

18. Thanks for the heads-up. We're in the market, too. n/t

[MarsThe Cat]

19. Try Lumber Liquidators instead-

http://lumberliquidators.com/

[NightOwwl]

25. Thanks, but if/when I get this all worked out...

I'll probably go with a local source. I was trying to save money, but it isn't worth all the hassle and frustration!

[Dora]

29. No, Don't use Lumber Liquidators.

We ordered butcher block countertops from them, one 8' and one 12'.

They had us prepay: they called this a "special order" because they didn't have it in stock and didn't know when it would come from the mill. Even though the countertops were listed on their website as available. The ETA was three months.

Four weeks later they called and told us to come pick up the countertops. My husband did, and we didn't get a chance to look at them until a week later. When he unwrapped them, he saw that the 8' length was made of longstrip butcher block, and the 12' was comprised of short lengths that had been glued together. This was unacceptable to us, as they were going to be used together in the same kitchen. Silly us - we thought the countertops should match.

So, my husband loaded them back onto our tiny truck, and hauled them back. They said wouldn't accept them as a return, but too late: they were off the truck, and they weren't going back on. It took a ten minute staredown for them to agree to refund our credit card.

[NightOwwl]

31. Good for standing up to them, Dora! n/t

[ComerPerro]

35. The drawback there: in the KC area they advertise on RW talk radio

A station that plays Rush, OReally, Savage, and a few local Rush clones and wannabes.

[WA98296]

26. Tell them here too:

Here's an active forum where you should get the word out:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/flooring/

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

27. Don't give in and accept...

...that shipment. If you do you're screwd. They can't apply restocking for a legitimately refused shipment and I doubt they're stupid enough to try. If they are you'll be in a position to make them regret it.

[NightOwwl]

30. Update - Called CC company and disputed charges.

First, I just have to say...you guys are the greatest (but you already knew that :))

My credit card company pulled the charges. They also told me it is ILLEGAL to charge restocking fees when there is shipping damage. Fast Floors will NOT get their money.

Woo-hoo!

:woohoo: :grouphug: :woohoo:

[AirmensMom]

33. Good for you!

:applause: :woohoo: :bounce: :grouphug:

[brainshrub]

38. Hooray!

Good for you!

[Busshianic]

39. Awesome! great to hear! this thread is really cool!

:toast: