SE LA VE ANTIQUES & HOME DECOR

I purchased 2 armoires from Se La Ve on February 1, 2011. The owner, Renata, verbally assured me that both armoires broke down and that I would not have a problem moving them into my bedrooms. She said I could return the pieces if I could not make them fit. I was given delivery dates which were cancelled twice without notification. Upon arrival, the oldest, most expensive of the armoires did not break down, and the movers were unable fit it through my hall. The armoire was left partially dismantled in my garage, forcing me to park on the street. I waited for several weeks for a carpenter, who I was assured would take it apart. Again, I was forced to call and call again when no one contacted me as promised. After several weeks, the carpenter confirmed that the armoire likely would be ruined if he took it apart. When I tried to return the piece I was told the store would only give store credit. I was polite, but firm when I said it was not our agreement and that I wanted my money back. The lady who worked there gave me a credit and said-also politely-I would have to talk to Renata. The armoire remained in my garage for pick up. When confronted by phone, Renata refused to allow me to finish a sentence. The call became acrimonious on both sides. I told her I would contact my Visa card to block payment. At that point, she threatened a lawsuit. She claimed I had harassed her employees with my weekly calls, and that I was a “nightmare” client, apparently because I spent over $6000 in her shop and wanted her to provide the product she sold me. I was forced to agree to the credit and to wait for another shipment of antiques, which I was told would be coming in 1.5 weeks, when I would have first choice of inventory. Almost 4 wks later, on Saturday, April 2 at 11:36 (two months after purchase and still unable to use my garage), I received a message that the shipment was in and that I should call Renata to go to the warehouse/barn to see what was available. I was out of town. I called at 10:36 am on Monday, April 4. Renata said she had already sold the inventory to a dealer, but saved me a couple of pieces in the shop, because “she knew what I wanted.” When I arrived at the shop one of the two pieces was one I had already rejected. The price was not on the other armoire. Renata said to tell me the price was $2700 and that she had already factored in a discount. Since I paid less for a much nicer/larger but similar armoire, I believe she padded the price knowing I had no other choice but to purchase the one armoire she left for me at whatever price she chose to put on it. The armoire was not what I wanted, in any case. I was told I could wait for the next shipment. I left the shop without purchasing and without resolving the issue. I have not parked in my garage for over 2 months. I am looking for some spot in my house to put a $3000 armoire that I needed in my bedroom, because I do not believe this woman has any intention of dealing fairly with me. Buyer Beware. Renata will say what it takes to make a sale, but does not honor her verbal guarantees, rendering any claims she makes about her merchandise suspect as well.