Stainsafe - value City Columbus Ohio

Sharon in Columbus, ..A stainsafe technician was scheduled by Value City, and did fix my couch, and I am very happy and satisfied with the job they did. I was so unsure from the reports I have heard especially being a new customer,and the red tape I got from them denying my claim before even examining the situation.

I am a service company for stainsafe we have been in business over 20 years and have serviced major retailers, warreny companies, and manufactures. This is not a new businsess for us . I have seen the winds of change in customer service from hands on to modren technology , paperless, email faxes ect..

First off I advise read the warrenty! Normal wear and use are not covered, accidental damage is most likely covered, abuse and neglect are not. Do not let some commisioned salesperson tempt you into buying a white sofa and a warrenty stating, dont worry it will be covered and cleanned, Hello, white gets dirty from everyday normal use. Keep all receipts and warrenty information, keep under cushions on soft goods , taped on the underside of case goods this info is essential.Don't shoot the service tech! They are there to help you and can be your best friend, screaming at the tech about lousy service from the retailer to the warrenty co. will not acomplish anything the service tech did not sell you the furniture or the warrenty. Don't call the service co numerous times after a report is made to Stainsafe the service company has no special influence over the warrenty company, the reports have been sent and its up to the warrenty company as to what action will be taken.

The best advice that I give is aforementioned keep all paperwork from the sales recipt to the warrenty with the mdse, that way if all information is provided the wheels of progress turn much quicker and there is less reasonable cause for delay. If your claim is turned down get the reason why, think is it justified? A warrenty is not a cure all .Its not a maintenence and cleanning service.

I have seen tables scratched by children coloring on them, repeatedly, hot wheels run over tables continuously, soil from everyday use and neglect, and dog chewed leather not in one spot but many.

Consumers do need to take some responsiblity for the fate of their own merchandise.Needless to say the warrenty is oversold by salespeople all the time.I am seeing many changes in Stainsafes proceedures and they are for the good , I think this makes note that they also feel that they have some issues to be addressed and are attempting to improve, when I look at the total picture I cannot understand why some customers get they're problems handled efficiently and some do not, the main thing that keeps coming back to me is how efficiet the consumer is in reporting the problem and having all essential paperwork readiy avaliable. On the other hand a very wise quality control manager once told me , that no matter what happens to the consumer on the warrenty issue it will always come back to _________, the store that sold it to them. We all need to be smart consumer. Another enlightment is that fabric mills do not warrant fabric to the manufacture, who does not warrAnt it to the retailer , who does not warrent it to the consumer and most likely the warranty co. dosent either, things like colorfastness are a variable, pilling on some fabrics are just like a cashmere sweater under the arms, leather is like skin and does stretch with use, down goes flat in seat cushions and back pillows just like your bed pillow, polyfilled back cushions and pillows do collapse and need fluffing and turning now and again. Table tops do not like heat from hot dishes and pots and do not react well to vynal and plastic place matts. Water rings will be left on wood surface if no coaster is used. There is no such animal as a soil proof fabic or an mar resistant wood finish, if thats what you are looking for plastic is the answer. Wood grains also vary from piece to piece , only God can make a tree and he made them all different.

Don't get me wrong some claims are very warranted and it is the warranty companies responsibilty to take action and honor the claim, but on a daily basis we see so much consummer neglect and miseducation. I also agree companies should be choosy when selecting techs to represent them and repair the merchandise, I am also sympathetic since its a dying trade to refinish repair or reupholster furniture, In schools the trade classes have been replaced with computer classes to all the paperwork and customer service can be technologically advance!

You can try contacting Steven Friedman, the guy running Stainsafe at his home. His number is 561-775-3031. He was rather annoyed when I did so. He didn't do anything to resolve my problem, but maybe if enough people bug him, he might start. I have also filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org), the FTC (www.ftc.gov), and am in the process of filing a complain with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulations (850-413-3140) - they oversee insurance/warranty companies.

I have also sent e-mails to several local florida television staions and newspapers to suggest they check into the business practices of this company.

I am amazed at the number of complaints against this company and something needs to be done. They are ripping off way too many people. If enough people start complaining, hopefully something will get done.