BRIGHTON GLASS

On Wednesday, March 29, 2017 I took two glass table tops to Brighton Glass in New Brighton, PA, asking them to have pieces of Plexiglas cut in order to substitute for the glass tops. My tables are end tables made by "Brown Jordan", which is a very high end line of outdoor furniture. My plan was to protect the expensive glass this year because I have a large puppy who may knock the tables around and break the glass. On Thursday, March 30, I received a phone message from Mrs. Diana Cole, Co-owner of Brighton Glass along with her husband, Mr. Tom Cole. Mrs. Cole informing me that there "was a situation with of my one glass table top pieces". When I called back she informed me that a piece broke. She said that they would replace “like for like” and will cut me a replacement piece. Another option was for them to give me what it would cost them to make the replacement glass. Thirty dollars! I declined both offers. That same day I called the Brown Jordan Company who told me to contact the local dealer. I learned that the replacement glass from their manufacturer would cost $220.42 Friday, March 31, I went back to Brighton Glass to pick up the remaining unbroken glass. I gave them the email from the Brown Jordan dealer explaining the replacement cost, and was met with hostility by Mr. Cole. Mr. Cole said to me “I ain’t paying two hundred dollars for a thirty dollar piece of glass”. Hearing that, I left with my remaining unbroken table top. When I returned home, I called Alliance for Consumer Protection and made an appointment with them to be scheduled on Monday, April 4. I met with an advisor, who agreed that I had a case against Brighton Glass. On Wednesday, April 6, I called for an update and spoke with the executive director of ACP. He had my file and asked for me to call him back on Friday, April 8. When I did that, he mentioned to me that Mr. Cole had upped his offer to one hundred dollars. I figured I’d still be out $120 to get my glass replaced from the Brown Jordan manufacturer. The director and I exchanged several emails. He advised me to accept the hundred dollars ($100.00) offer from Brighton because if I took this to the small claims court , the magistrate might not recognize the quality of Brown Jordan. I wanted the same color, cut, edges, corners and everything else that makes Brown Jordan "Brown Jordan". The director was also concerned that the judge may feel that 'glass is glass', and I’d lose out even more than I already have. I do not understand how I could entrust my property with a merchant like Brighton Glass, who breaks a customers item. This company feels they are under no obligation to replace it with exactly what they broke, even though it could easily order it from the original manufacturer. Jordan Brown is still in business, I should be able to get the exact glass replaced and Brighton should pay for it. Why should I have to pay $120 my own money to get back what Brighton Glass destroyed? I entrusted them with my glass and was never given a contract that stated they are not responsible for breakage. I wasn’t even given a receipt for my glass. All Mrs. Cole said was that she will call me when it is finished. I would never recommend this company to anyone.