Flooring Company Trying to Screw Me ***JULY 15th Update*** (2 Viewers)

[avoiding injuries]

I especialy love the way part of the wrong color sticks out into the hallway.

It’s not as if it’s staying like that that. I agree, it looks ridiculous. If there was enough flooring to have finished the hallway, we were considering to do the bedrooms the different color and use a transition strip. Reluctantly…

 

[jvdesigns2002]

I dunno—this one is a tough one.  When I read this thread at first—I immediately thought the flooring company was the party that needed to make things 100% right and that the OP was getting screwed.  Now I’m not sure that the OP doesn’t share some of the blame.  I manage a store—and human error does happen. However—the OP made the bad decision of telling his contractor to actually lay down and install the wrong color flooring.   Nobody in their right mind would do that. You lay the wrong color boards next to the right ones—you take a picture—and then show the flooring company the mistake.  You return the wrong color boards for a partial refund or for exchange of the same quantity in the right color.  It’s on the flooring company to then ship the wrong color boards back to their distributor and handle things behind the scenes.  However—this whole process is compromised by the sheer fact that the OP actually had the wrong color flooring glued down and installed.   This makes it so that you are unable to return the wrong color product in the new condition that you received it.  You are then disputing a charge for something where you received product and haven’t returned any of it—which is probably what the flooring company told the credit card company in your first dispute.  I work in jewelry and watches. If I sell somebody a watch and accidentally put a watch with the wrong color dial in their box—I would have a hard time accepting a return or processing a refund if the person tried to bring the watch back in unwrapped, used and scratched up.  The item they are trying to return is no longer in condition to be sold as a “new” item anymore.   You received a new product that is usable and of value (albeit the wrong color) and you would be returning trash .I don’t think the flooring company or the distributor was ever trying to “scam” or “screw” the OP—I think it was a legitimate mistake.  However—I think the OP having the flooring installed and thus ruining it—was frankly a worse mistake.   You had your contractor install flooring even though you knew there was an issue.   That’s your fault. 

 

[El Floppo]

It’s not as if it’s staying like that that. I agree, it looks ridiculous. If there was enough flooring to have finished the hallway, we were considering to do the bedrooms the different color and use a transition strip. Reluctantly…

Contractor obviously made a terrible decision by installing without reviewing it with you first. Toothing in the boards past the doorway...yeesh. A flush saddle would have at least made it look intentional and clean.

And fwiw...the issue isnt a language/race one. Plenty of idiot caucasion contractors out there and plenty of awesome hispanic ones. 

 

[avoiding injuries]

And fwiw...the issue isnt a language/race one. Plenty of idiot caucasion contractors out there and plenty of awesome hispanic ones. 

Agreed about the race, disagree about the language. Based on my experiences. That wasn’t my intention. 

 

[avoiding injuries]

I dunno—this one is a tough one.  When I read this thread at first—I immediately thought the flooring company was the party that needed to make things 100% right and that the OP was getting screwed.  Now I’m not sure that the OP doesn’t share some of the blame.  I manage a store—and human error does happen. However—the OP made the bad decision of telling his contractor to actually lay down and install the wrong color flooring.   Nobody in their right mind would do that. You lay the wrong color boards next to the right ones—you take a picture—and then show the flooring company the mistake.  You return the wrong color boards for a partial refund or for exchange of the same quantity in the right color.  It’s on the flooring company to then ship the wrong color boards back to their distributor and handle things behind the scenes.  However—this whole process is compromised by the sheer fact that the OP actually had the wrong color flooring glued down and installed.   This makes it so that you are unable to return the wrong color product in the new condition that you received it.  You are then disputing a charge for something where you received product and haven’t returned any of it—which is probably what the flooring company told the credit card company in your first dispute.  I work in jewelry and watches. If I sell somebody a watch and accidentally put a watch with the wrong color dial in their box—I would have a hard time accepting a return or processing a refund if the person tried to bring the watch back in unwrapped, used and scratched up.  The item they are trying to return is no longer in condition to be sold as a “new” item anymore.   You received a new product that is usable and of value (albeit the wrong color) and you would be returning trash .I don’t think the flooring company or the distributor was ever trying to “scam” or “screw” the OP—I think it was a legitimate mistake.  However—I think the OP having the flooring installed and thus ruining it—was frankly a worse mistake.   You had your contractor install flooring even though you knew there was an issue.   That’s your fault. 

Except the boxes were ALL labeled as the product that I ordered and I was told there could be a variation in color when I received the product compared to the way it looked online. No way for me to tell there were 2 different colors at the bottom of the pallet with the same label. I wasn’t aware of an issue until 80% through the job. 
I do appreciate the counter argument though. 

 

[jvdesigns2002]

Except the boxes were ALL labeled as the product that I ordered and I was told there could be a variation in color when I received the product compared to the way it looked online. No way for me to tell there were 2 different colors at the bottom of the pallet with the same label. I wasn’t aware of an issue until 80% through the job. 
I do appreciate the counter argument though. 

Thats just not true.  You don’t have to install the flooring to realize that its a completely different color. We’re not talking about a slight variation here—we’re talking about flooring that is clearly a different color. Your contractor works for you—so any mistake he makes—is a mistake that you need to absorb in regards to any dealings with the  flooring store.  The fact of the matter is that you received the flooring (wrong color and all) in returnable condition.   Once you or your contractor actually installs the flooring—the product is no longer in returnable condition.  If you are trying to say that you and your contractor do not carry ANY of the blame in this—I completely disagree.  I’ll say it again—the biggest mistake in this entire situation was the one where you or your contractor decided to actually lay the floor that was clearly the wrong color. 

 

[El Floppo]

Agreed about the race, disagree about the language. Based on my experiences. That wasn’t my intention. 

Ive worked with all kinds of non-english speaking contractors. The issue was much less the language and much more the quality and decision making of the contractor who should have laid it out dry at the door way and sent pictures for you. Theres simply no way somebody I work with installs something like what that guy did for you without accepting responsibility for it and doing it over on his dime.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Thats just not true.  You don’t have to install the flooring to realize that its a completely different color. We’re not talking about a slight variation here—we’re talking about flooring that is clearly a different color. Your contractor works for you—so any mistake he makes—is a mistake that you need to absorb in regards to any dealings with the  flooring store.  The fact of the matter is that you received the flooring (wrong color and all) in returnable condition.   Once you or your contractor actually installs the flooring—the product is no longer in returnable condition.  If you are trying to say that you and your contractor do not carry ANY of the blame in this—I completely disagree.  I’ll say it again—the biggest mistake in this entire situation was the one where you or your contractor decided to actually lay the floor that was clearly the wrong color. 

I believe they only installed one box and he was ok with paying for that box, but I could be wrong.

 

[baymen]

I believe they only installed one box and he was ok with paying for that box, but I could be wrong.

That’s how I understand it as well.

 

[jvdesigns2002]

I believe they only installed one box and he was ok with paying for that box, but I could be wrong.

If this is the case—then I would agree that the flooring store should either credit or replace the quantity  of the wrong color flooring that can be returned in perfect condition.   My interpretation was that all of the wrong color flooring was installed and he was then trying to get them to give a refund or a credit for it.   

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

You guys are all hilarious. Especially people hung up on the contractor installing the darker wood. 
 

This is easy. Who is the person responsible for picking up the wood or signing the delivery order? That is person ultimately responsible. Should the supplier have the right materials? Sure, but whomever signed the ticket of receipt of the physical wood is the person who is responsible to make sure all dye lots and colors match. 

After that blame game can continue…

It is not uncommon for flooring to be different shades (dye lots) which is why it’s alway on the installer to check the boxes and make sure there is enough material before starting. Making sure the dye lots and colors all match. After that  all the boxes need to be mixed up. Even if all the numbers matched the colors might just be a shade off. Mixing the flooring ensures that the flooring. Doesn’t have a distinct repeated pattern and blends together. 
 

Who picked up or received the wood? 

 

[identikit]

Who picked up or received the wood? 

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

You guys are all hilarious. Especially people hung up on the contractor installing the darker wood. 
 

This is easy. Who is the person responsible for picking up the wood or signing the delivery order? That is person ultimately responsible. Should the supplier have the right materials? Sure, but whomever signed the ticket of receipt of the physical wood is the person who is responsible to make sure all dye lots and colors match. 

After that blame game can continue…

It is not uncommon for flooring to be different shades (dye lots) which is why it’s alway on the installer to check the boxes and make sure there is enough material before starting. Making sure the dye lots and colors all match. After that  all the boxes need to be mixed up. Even if all the numbers matched the colors might just be a shade off. Mixing the flooring ensures that the flooring. Doesn’t have a distinct repeated pattern and blends together. 
 

Who picked up or received the wood? 

You didn't read any of this stuff, did you?

 

[culdeus]

I wouldn't be thrilled with the chatter marked pieces in the right color either.  Just saying. 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

You didn't read any of this stuff, did you?

That’s exactly what I thought when I read everybody losing their minds over a handful of wood pieces being installed (per the owners request) just to show the contrast. 
 

My parents owned a flooring company and I was a general superintendent for almost a decade. 
 

The flooring company should buy back the wrong colored stuff. 
 

If the flooring guy was my step father- he would have picked up on it the first day but u less the flooring guy sold and purchased the wood, he’s not liable. 
 

If there is a GC n the job he shares some blame cause he should be on top of stuff as well. If it were a sub of mine I would make him fix it, but only if he was the one who purchased the wood. 

ETA - If the wood was all opened and mixed like it’s supposed to be the darker wood would have been discovered. Day one. 

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

If the flooring guy was my step father- he would have picked up on it the first day

How?  All the boxes had the same labels- colors, size, etc.  Would he have opened and inspected each piece of flooring?  I get mixing each box, but all of them?  That seems silly.  

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

How?  All the boxes had the same labels- colors, size, etc.  Would he have opened and inspected each piece of flooring?  I get mixing each box, but all of them?  That seems silly.  

You have to open the boxes to let the wood acclimate. 
 

The color and style name on the box might be the same I would bet $5 the dye lots or manufacturer date are different. 

 

[El Floppo]

You have to open the boxes to let the wood acclimate. 
 

The color and style name on the box might be the same I would bet $5 the dye lots or manufacturer date are different. 

Just so we're clear...youre ok with the contractor installing that as shown? No responsibility since ordering the flooring and decision to install was the OP's?

 

[avoiding injuries]

The flooring is waterproof luxury vinyl, not hard wood. The contractor laid down one box (of 59) that was the darker color with my permission. I’m ok eating the cost of that. 

 

[avoiding injuries]

Quick update…

Friend of mine is a lawyer and we drafted a complaint and sent it to the company. Their lawyer got involved and eventually the manufacturer got involved as well. They agreed with me and made things right financially.