Marc's Window Treatments

If Angieslist permits it, I will update this review if/when "Marc's Window Treatments" ever completes our job or refunds our payment. If no action is taken by Marc to complete the job or refund our payment, it is quite likely that we'll be filing a lawsuit against Marc's Window Treatments. Bear in mind for this review that if these were inexpensive window treatments, we wouldn't have the expectations as we do considering we've paid thousands and thousands of dollars. In mid-July 2015 we ordered black-out blinds for our bedroom and the reupholstery of a small couch. We were told that the fabric would be shipped to Marc by July 27 to make the drapes and that everything would take 6-8 weeks to complete. Based on this information, we were expecting the project to be completed by the end of August or first part of September. A couple weeks after July 27 had passed we wanted to know if the fabric was shipped. After several attempts to contact Marc (he is very hard to get ahold of and never responds to emails or phone calls), he said the fabric was shipped in mid-August (three weeks after he initially told us). On September 3 and for the next couple weeks, we made several more attempts to contact Marc (email and phone) to see if the fabric had in fact been shipped and when our drapes would be ready because we hadn't heard anything from him. We finally learned via a very short message in mid-September that the material had arrived and the drapes were partially complete. We asked for him to install what he did have complete on September 18. He agreed. Regarding the partial install, the fabric had imperfections and the "black-out" curtains and blinds weren't close to black-out. He installed the drapes (which had open bottoms that weren't sewn together) directly above the floor vents for the room. The result of these drapes with an open bottom is when the air (or heat) is on, the curtains blow up like a balloon. This prevents air from coming in the room plus destroys the pleats in the drapes. His solution was for me to "somehow" attach $2 plastic vent diffusers bought at a home improvement store to our newly installed hardwood floors. These plastic diffusers are cheap, break easily, and have magnets that are intended to attach to metal vents, not hardwood floors. These $2 plastic diffusers are not the proper solution to the problem; even if they were, they are not large enough to get the air out from under the drapes. His website claims that his family has been in this business since the 1930s. Don't tell me this is the first time you've installed drapes in a room with floor vents. After another 4 to 6 weeks (end of October), we asked if the window project was done yet (keep in mind the small couch still hadn't been picked up yet). He said "yes" and came to the house to finish the install and to "correct" the problems with the drapes. He didn't install the remaining blinds because he apparently measured incorrectly and was unable to fix the problems with the drapes (the black out portion as well as the ballooning); so he recommended we switch from drapes to blinds. We agreed. Being foolish, I went ahead and paid him the balance due because he made it sound as if the job would be completed in the very near future. He also said that he would use the fabric from the existing drapes to make the new blinds, but he needed to order some more fabric. After he left with our full-payment check, he informed us that the additional fabric would take another 4 weeks (end of November). We never heard from Marc at the end of November, so on December 9, I emailed asking about the fabric that was supposed to have been sent in November. He informed me that it was going to be another month or two to get the fabric. Again, he did so in a very terse, one or two sentence, email. Since it seems like the fabric will never come and that Marc is not going to be able to deliver and install what he was contracted to do, I sent him an email on December 8th or 9th that said we had been more than patient with him and that now we wanted the project either finished or he could come and pick up the drapes he installed, return the chaise, and return our money. On December 9, Marc informed us via an email that he'd come and get the blinds, drapes, and curtain rods and return the money. However, now after repeated attempts to contact him, he has disappeared. Oh, regarding the small couch/chaise, he didn't even pick it up until October. Not sure if it is ready yet or not, but I informed Marc that if it wasn't, we just wanted him to return the couch unfinished. This couch is a family heirloom, and we are now nervous about its return. Marc seems to be very nice in person, but his communication skills and professional courtesy leaves something to be desired. The quality and craftsmanship of the end product is not reflective of a company that claims to have been doing this for 85 years. At least in our case, once he had our money, he rarely communicates and appears burdened by responding to us. If I can figure out how to post photos of the drapes installed by Marc, I will. Marc, please come and get your drapes, blinds, and materials and drop off our couch and return the money we paid.

He even said he was in a car accident and my blinds were destroyed and there were never any blinds ordered. He said he was giving Hunter Douglas blinds and they had absolutely no record of anything he purchases. He wouldn't even give me a purchase order so I can check. Do not trust this person.

Marc, the owner, was very responsive on all counts. He returned my call on the same day I placed it and set appointment for a few days later to match my schedule. Marc presented varying quality and price levels, advising me toward a mid-level that carried a lifetime guarantee. The blinds were scheduled to be installed during the next week. Marc and his assistant had the blinds fully installed within 5 minutes. His company is family owned and has been in operation since 1930. He will at no charge take the blinds down and re-install if I have any future redecorating. The blinds look great and I am very pleased with the experience.