K-Designers tricked us into paying for the project before completing it, then kept delaying completion moths! Hayward California

I used to work as a "Marketing Director" (aka sales person) This company should be sued. I have kept all my documentation from when i worked there... They stole approx $40͵000 from me before I figured out what they were doing.

They lie and tell you your home will be used in a Marketing campaign for huge discounts, they even claim to give you "free add-ons" that aren't free, we're taught to build them into the price, start with a high price and negotiate down for additional "marketing" (ie. Before and after photos, that are never taken or needed or used, sign in the yard, letters of recommendation which are never requested used, etc)

It's all a scam and their prices are WAY higher than other companies like Home Depot...

They scam their customers and their employees.

They did something very similar to this complaint, to more than one of my customers.

BEWARE!!!

When I applied to K-Designers I knew nothing about the home remodeling industry. I began in August, 2003 as a Marketing Director. Due to hard and committing myself to the K-Designers way of doing business, I was soon on a career path. In six months I was promoted to assistant sales manager and within a year I was the sales manager for the Los Angeles Windows Division. Eighteen months later the company asked me to continue my growth within the organization and take over the Siding Sales Manager Position. Today, I am the Los Angeles Branch Manager. This is a testimonial to the fact that this company cares about its employees and is dedicated to giving them the training, tools and time that's needed to be successful in this industry.

It has been a month since my fabulous new windows have been installed and I love them. I had a great experience working with K-Designers' marketing director who came and showed off the product. I am convinced, after just a month that I made a great choice. Another representative, who came to measure and ordered my windows, was friendly and efficient. I also worked with him after my windows were installed to resolve a matter that was completely taken care of. He made sure I was 100% satisfied.

Molly B, UT

In regard to your call out, my second response to your issue was a quote from a homeowner. Sorry I didn't express it as such. I'm new to this type of scenario. However, I am proud of the company for which I work. As I said, I've been with the company for over 10 years. However, with 11 branch offices, just because I did not personally know of your particular issue, doesn't indicate lack of caring or desire to resolve on the company's part.

Let me quote a few more letters from customers in your area. Know that I am not trying to minimize your experience or perception; I am simply giving testimony that we are a reputable company whose intentions it is to put our best foot forward in every instance.

1.
I want to think you for the fantastic job that you have done. I love the new windows.

I was very apprehensive about working with a contractor, especially, after some of the awful experiences that some of my friends have had with other companies.

But from the first meeting with the marketing director, until the installers were finished, eveyone was very professional, answered all of my questions, and just went out of their way to make sure that I had exactly what I wanted. I was very impressed at how much care the installers took and how pleasant they were. I also appreciate how everyone took care of all my questions and concerns.

I love the new windows. They are even better than I thought they would be. Before, I didn't have enough light in my living room to keep houseplants. Now it is bright and cheerful.

All my neighbors have been coming by with compliments as well. thank you very much for making this an enjoyable experience.

Sincerely,

Lorraine R
Hayward CA

2.
A good company worthy of their finished product. The w ork done by K-Designers involved the front of the house which has created a very appealing finish, with increased insulation, lifetime vinyl siding, lifetime paint. The w ork was done in a very meticulous manner. They are probably one of the best in the West. Highly recommended for their quality of materials used and their workmanship. It surely makes sense when they say "A New Home at the Old Address." It really is!

Ray & Laurie P
Novato, CA


3.
I am writing to let your company know how very pleased I am with the transformation of my house. The house was always neat in appearance, but the wonderful job that was done by your installer when he applied the siding to the front of my home is just wonderful. I think it will encourage my neighbors to improve the appearances of their properties. I no longer have a desire to relocate, because I have a new house without moving.

Honesty? Integrity?

You forgot to change your user name between the time you posted as a company representative on the 23rd, and the next post pretending to be your own customer on the 27th. I see you caught on after that. Nice try, though.

The OP documented the report quite thoroughly. For you to imply that you'd never heard about the problem is disingenuous. The OP had to take you to mediation! Also, how do you not know there is a problem when a job is still in progress months after the due date. Is your project management that bad?

I WOULDN'T CONSIDER IT A TRICK THAT YOU CHOSE TO PAY FOR THE JOB BEFORE IT WAS COMPLETE. I BELIEVE IT IS K-DESIGNERS POLICY THAT YOU DON'T PAY FOR THE JOB BEOFRE YOU ARE 100% SATISFIED. K-DESIGNERS IS NOT CHARACTERIZED BY UNFINISHED WORK. WERE THERE OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES THAT COULD HAVE HENDERED THIS JOB? PROBLEMS WITH THE CITY, A FAMILIY EMEERGENCY WITH THE EMPLOYEE THAT WAS TO FINISH YOUR JOB, A NEW EMPLOYEE?

THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEM AT YOUR HOME. BUT TO ACCUSE K-DESIGNERS OF TRICKERY OR SHADY BUSINESS ETHICS IS A BIT HARSH.

K-DESIGNERS IS A COMPANY THAT IS CHARACTERIZED BY INTEGRITY, HONESTY, EFFECIENT....THESE ARE JUST A FEW DESCRIPTIONS.

YOU NEVER SAID

As a 9 year employee of K-Designers, I can tell you that the experience that the couple in Campbell CA had with us is extemely rare. 99% of our customers are very satified with the work we do and the expedience in which we carry it out.

I have been associated with several other companies over the past twenty five years and K-Designers stands head and shoulders above all them when it comes to quality products and service.

Also, a large amount of K-Designers business each year is from repeat customers and referrals. This speaks for itself!

When we decided to install new windows in our home, we asked several neighbors if they knew of a reputable company. We live in an area with older homes and it was time to replace.

After getting 3-4 referrals, we called them, the third being K-Designers. They set up and appointment and came out. They were very professional, courteous and knowledgable. We loved the windows. The appearance, the locks, the easy swing out to clean had us sold.

When all was said and done, we had beautiful new windows with ease of cleaning, great safety locks and our home became much more comfortable. The installers cleaned up EVERYTHING!

If I were to move to another home and need new windows, I would not hesitate to call K-Designers again

I was truly taken by surprise to read of your experience with our company.
As a K-Designers employee for 11 years, I would like to tell everyone a little bit about us.

K-Designers actively and continuously trains our personnel on our policies, procedures and practices. One of our policies is that we do not ask a customer to sign a completion certificate, or ask for payment before the project is completed and the customer is 100% satisfied.

If, on occasion, any of our policies is breached, we want to correct it quickly, reasonably and to the homeowners' satisfaction. However, more often than not, the problem is that we never hear about the issue until we happen upon comments such as yours.

If your project still has not been completed as agreed, please contact me personally at (800) 515-2788, ext. 185

Yahoo!! Project completed.

Thanks to the mediation office efforts, installers have finished up kitchen window, and several days later installed replacement bathroom window!

It's almost 4 month into the project.. we are living with "in-progress" kitchen window for 3 month.

I've brought my case to mediator in the small claims court (want to try that before suing).

Mediator has contacted K-Designers and the company swears to send someone this Friday (Feb 22) to finish up kitchen window. No word yet on compensation. They've apologized for delay in completion saying that they have problems keeping up with projects.

BTW, replacement bathroom window will take an extra 2 weeks to finish up as they sent out wrong measurements to production.

After canceling Tuesday's installation appointment K-Designers said they won't schedule another appointment to finish up on the kitchen window.

Instead, since they decided to replace bathroom window (it was installed back in November and was defective from the start -- and wouldn't open), they placed the order for the new bathroom window on Tuesday and want to wait until it's produced -- so that they can finish up on kitchen window and bathroom window at the same time instead of coming here twice for kitchen and bathroom windows.

Why did they wait until Tuesday Feb 5th when bathroom problem was known since November is beyond me. Initially they wanted to replace springs in bathroom window and now -- the whole new installation?!!

So, I have to wait for the bathroom window now (no ETA on when this will be produced either), so I have to live with ugly looking kitchen for another ??? weeks.

I called their front office twice on Tuesday and left message to Heather W. to bring my case to their attention -- and have not received call back from her yet.

I've submitted my case to court for mediation and if this won't help, going to small claims court. Also submitting my case to BBB.

I think I should start a log of missed/canceled appointments now :)

Yesterday's appointment (Feb 4th) was canceled because installers couldn't finish another project on Friday -- so they had to finish that another job on Monday -- and I have to wait again.

February 5th has been set as a final, definitive, non-breakable appointment... so, I'm taking day off and stay home today again in high hopes that it will be done today...

Am I dreaming? Nope! I just got a call that the company is swamped and I'll have to wait :)

It's getting better because this time they don't even schedule the next date to come over, so I have to call head office to figure that out.