On January 2nd 2011 I came across what I thought was a cute little
boutique furniture store that makes distressed furniture. I was greeted
by a very nice, sweet, knowledgable woman named Diane Bowen. She
introduced herself as the owner of Cellar Door Studio. After learning
what she could do for me I was very interested in placing an order based
off the quality of furniture I saw in the showroom and what seemed to
be a functioning business. She told me the only way she could start my
job was if I paid all of it upfront! Which was $1,100. I went to the
bank and returned with the cash that afternoon. She seemed like a good
person. Then that week came and went with no real answer from Diane
when I called her...Then I get an email with a story of how her shop got
flooded by the rain and she was trying to fix the problem and she
hasn't had a chance to start my project....ok...I said to myself...Stuff
happens....
Then the second week came and went...an email from diane
about everything will be ready next week....then next week came and she
begged for my understanding, that she is so busy and blah blah blah..She
lost her cell phone, her email was down because of server issues...one
lie after another..It is now been about 2 months and I have nothing but a
bunch of emails from her with broken promises and lies.
Her store seems to be closed but she is still working as I found out today...I ran
into one of her customers named Chad outside her store today and he too
was looking for her from an order he paid upfront for in January 2011!
He said he made her sign a contract this time but said he now realizes
it means nothing to her....He also told me he was still trying to
collect the furniture he placed and paid for in 2008!!!! He did say she
is great at what she does and I have to kill her with kindness.
Unfortunately I think I have to accept the fact that she ripped me off
and I must now try to help prevent any further victims from falling into
her trap. As I went around to the alley behind her store on grand and
18th I noticed her car!!!! Then she pulled up with a customer who is
trying to open up a salon in a few days and he was yelling at her in the
car for 15 minutes.....she then came out of the car to see me and said
she would have everything done tomorrow.....Bulls**t I can smell a mile
away!
Beware of Diane Bowen and Cellar Door Studio. At first she may seem like a great contact you just scored with...and her low ball pricing technique gets everyone to pay upfront. But when she delivers the product it is not exactly what she sold you on according to clients I have spoke to that have received partial orders to day. God only knows if I will get my money back but
hopefully no one else gets scammed by this lady. Also I am aware of a store she used to operate out of in culver city on 5649 Mesmer Ave Culver City, CA 90230
