Best Custom Frames Changed quoted price in LAST SECOND after I brought my heavy artwork-BAD SERVICE, UNPROFESSIONAL, NOT RELIABLE South Pasadena California

Basically, VERY UNRELIABLE AND UNPROFESSIONAL. You can't know what to expect. He'll tell you something over the phone to get you in the store, then when you actually show up with all your heavy things he may tell you something else (give you a higher place and offer you to leave if you don't like it). He also makes a lot of errors with the framing (ex. which mat's on top, etc.) Beware and go at your own risk!!!

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I was very disappointed with the bad service. This place is a hit or miss...first the guy (Vietnamese "Manas") is nice, gave an average price (I know cause I called several places and had an idea what to expect), so I got my 6 pieces framed there mostly cause he was closest. On these, he quoted me When I was paying so it was no problem. But one picture didn't turn out well so I call him the day after I pick it up and asked if he'll change the mat. He quotes several prices/options, which are high, and I say what if I buy the mats (supplies) and you just put it in the frame? He says fine and quotes me a price for labor. Obviously I made clear which piece it was and he totally knew what I was talking about (he described it to me well over the phone).
I then waste a lot of time shopping around for mats, even though I know he can get it cheaper (he quoted me $50 for changing the mats with him buying them even though a mat costs $6 at Blicks..so think how much cheaper he can get them as a bulk buyer). This one art work is huge and heavy, like 25x20" and I hate lugging it around. So here's where the problems start:

1) A few days later, I call him again and tell him, "you said if I bought the mats and bring them, you'd charge x for labor, so I'm coming by" (I intentionally remention his quote). He says yea, ok, see you. I show up 10minutes later at his shop and all the doors are closed. What the heck? Closed at 2pm??? I stand there with my large work knocking on the door. then I call the place and I can hear phone ringing inside. Then I hear his cell phone which was odd. There are also tons of new delivered frames out by the back door, which was odd too (who'd leave their product out by the door in the open and lock up?) Anyway, no one opens the door. Weird. I figure he either doesn't feel like taking the small fix-up job or had a major emergency and had to leave fast and forget his phone even.
2) Next day I come by without calling first. He's there. He talks a bit and then when I'm leaving he says "so I told you how much right? 2x?". I say, "wait, but I spoke with you twice and said x both times, even yesterday!" Then he goes off saying I misunderstood, then he says he misunderstood, then he says his "english is bad" so miscommunication happens sometimes, then he says that price was the price he gave was for something else. Anyway, he gives lots of reasons which don't go together, which is just annoying (btw. earlier he had told me whenever people call him, telemarketers etc., who he doesn't want to talk to, he tells them "my english is bad." So hearing him tell me that was super frustrating.)

I tell him I'll pay you 2x, I just don't like you changing your numbers around like this. I told him why didn't you just give your price form the beginning? He gets frustrated because I didn't accept his "appology" as he called it and says go somewhere else. Which was double frustrating cause it was the 2nd time I got out of work early to get to his place and I hate lugging around this large heavy art work, plus we had already squared things away over the phone. I tell him I agreed to pay 2x, but then he just gives me the "silent treatment." It was the wierdest most unprofessional thing I had ever experienced. I think he had taken the original big chunk of money and didn't want this small fix it job- why he was wasting my time with the lack of professionalism, I don't know!!!

Also, upon my asking, he said that the day before "he was working by himself and had to suddenly leave to pick up some items, and so had to lock up." So weird considering I had called before coming to say I was on my way...he could've called me back (has my number from my order form), or at least leave a message on the door or anything. Not even a "will be back soon."

Basically, VERY UNRELIABLE AND UNPROFESSIONAL. Buyer beware! There are a ton of other shops, so save yourself some headaches!

Zeena
Pasadena, California
U.S.A.