Colorful Beginnings Inc

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/10/14) */
Colorful Beginnings, Inc takes pride in our customer service and quality of work. The past 3 years we've stayed busy servicing repeat and referral clients. Referrals from our customers is how we continue our success. It pains our entire team...

that we could not obtain 100% satisfaction from [redacted] after countless efforts were made as detailed below. There is no dispute about Colorful Beginnings, Inc. properly fulfilling our contract terms. I understand[redacted] dissatisfaction to be with our communication, back ordered material and shower door resulting in a balance of $700 owed.
Colorful Beginnings, Inc. did enter into 2 contracts with [redacted].
- The 1st contract was for new kitchen countertop (excluding the island) and removal of a desk unit as part of their kitchen cabinetry. In it's place we installed a coffee bistro designed by Colorful Beginnings, Inc. Our contract requested 20% deposit at time of acceptance, another 50% after the top was measured and final balance at completion.
- The 2nd contract was for a bathroom remodel for $19,640. Terms were 30% deposit and the rest of the draw schedule TBD. Colorful Beginnings began work and failed to complete the draw schedule.
In response to [redacted] comments to our lack of communication and 3 week lag on ordering material that went on back order:
[redacted] verbally awarded both contracts to Colorful Beginnings, Inc. However, it was explained that deposit check(s) must be received before we could commit. [redacted] & [redacted] had to wait for their home line of credit to be processed. During this time 2 contracts with 2 different customers had sent deposit money and were ready to move forward. We meet [redacted] and [redacted] at their home with a 3 month calendar writing in our commitments for the accepted jobs, their vacations, our vacation and how we could schedule their jobs in with the 2 just awarded. However, [redacted] was upset that she missed out on a sooner start date. [redacted] was also not comfortable writing a 20% deposit check for the kitchen and then a 30% deposit check for the bathroom. Felt that was way too much money to hand over before seeing any work being done. It was explained that this money is used to buy material needed for the job. [redacted] had personally visited the tile store to make her selections before awarding us the contract. Assured us that material was in stock, why did we need this much money now. We then agreed to take only 10% of the bathroom and 20% of the kitchen until the day of countertop measure (3 weeks out). This deposit was to lock in the dates on the calendar but not to order material. We received the remaining 20% deposit for the bathroom and the 50% for the kitchen per our contract the next late afternoon. Materials were ordered within 24 hours of receiving payment. Unfortunately, Colorful Beginnings, Inc has no control over supplier inventory. We advised that this could happen. I strongly disagree with [redacted]'s accusations for lack of communication and delay in ordering material.
More in response to back ordered tile:
It was the tile backsplash in the kitchen that was on back order for 3 months. Colorful Beginnings, Inc visited two tile stores to select two similar samples for alternative selection to keep on schedule. When I called to give the news of the back ordered tile I had the samples in hand and was in route to bring them by, all within hours of receiving the back order notice. [redacted] was so angry with Colorful Beginnings, Inc. We were asked not to come by. However, I wanted to talk in person to and just leave the samples by the door for when [redacted] was ready to review them. Colorful Beginnings, Inc proceeded with work as promised. [redacted] was not home during the day when work was performed. However, [redacted] did have days when he's was home. Colorful Beginnings, Inc. visited over 10 tile stores trying to find an alternative sample. We found the supplier of her tile selection online; out of the country. But we attempted to make contact with no luck. [redacted] requested that Colorful Beginnings, Inc stop bringing alternative tile selections, that [redacted] was getting more and more angry when we brought them by. I explained I had one more on order. Despite what we consider very mean, rude and unprofessional behavior, Colorful Beginnings, Inc. received a text message from [redacted] on 6/6/15 at 10:03am that reads "Well you nailed it I love the backsplash, question is how much is it? And what's the time line I that to order? Colorful Beginnings responded on 6/6/15 at 12:45am with "It is a 2 to 3 week lead. I am not worried if it cost more, I will eat the overage. I am so relieved and happy! I will emailed in the order right now!!!"
- The contract price for [redacted] & [redacted]'s tile was $21.99sqft. The price of the new selection was $27.99sqft. No additional money was charged to [redacted].
- In addition, Colorful Beginnings worked weekend hours.
- supplied & installed a filler above the dishwasher to match the cabinets at no additional cost (not covered in contract)
- repaired the grout on their kitchen tile floor at no additional cost (not included nor installed by Colorful Beginnings, Inc.)
- modified the new coffee bistro to hinge a false door at no additional cost (not per diagram).
We feel Colorful Beginnings, Inc went above and beyond to service this 1st contract. Although [redacted] agrees that this contract was completed and paid, it's important to share the details to showcase our service efforts.
In response to the shower door concern from [redacted]:
The shower door is part of the 2nd contract for the $19,640 bathroom remodel. Colorful Beginnings designs their contracts with allowance funds. Items like light fixtures, faucets, tile and shower doors are outlined in our contract with allowance money. For example we'll say that tile for your shower floor allows for a $12.99sqft tile, tile for walls is $10sqft, light fixture is $125, etc. This allows our customers the ability to show freely for items that personalize their home and know without questions how it will affect their contract. With that said, our contract with [redacted] set an allowance of $1,400 to select a shower door. Colorful Beginnings, Inc does not supply or install shower doors. We are very open about sub contracting this out. Customers are allowed to use their own vendor or ours and pay cost. Colorful Beginnings, Inc just helps to make sure it gets done.
The contract for the bathroom remodel was based of a photo. We contracted to construct sometime similar. We say similar because they were several modifications made to make the shower work for their bathroom. We did not tile the shower ceiling per the photo, we used different faucets and faucet locations than the photo, their shower was a different size than the photo, the tile shapes and colors were similar but different that the photo.
As stated above, [redacted] made tile selections on her own prior to contracting with Colorful Beginnings to complete the work. Colorful Beginnings took the time to pick up a sample of all the tile selected by the customer along with other alternatives. [redacted] was very happy that we did this. It brought to her attention that the tile she selected was too dark, she wanted some more pizzazz on the floor. After two trips we were able to finalize a new selection; nothing on back order.
The shower was demo'd, framed, custom shower pan poured and tile installed for a new corner shower with 2 knee walls. Everything looked great. [redacted] & [redacted] requested that our shower door company come out at a time when they could meet. [redacted], the shower door sales rep, and Colorful Beginnings, Inc. attended the meeting in their bathroom. At this time the sales rep disclosed the use of a header bar, the handle and channels being ordered. There were no questions had by [redacted]. Colorful Beginnings, Inc had a frameless shower system ordered as requested.
It was on the day of install that we learned that the shower door system wouldn't fit. The angles of the shower were causing issues with the door closure. This then raised lots of questions, another measure, a visit from the glass company owner to the [redacted]'s home. The [redacted]'s also starting expressing concerns about having a ledge inside the shower for shampoo bottles and stuff that was never discussed before. Colorful Beginnings had installed recessed shower cubbies for storage and a small on for propping up the leg for ease of shaving. Shower door company suggested a framed shower door to resolve the matter. During all of this [redacted] became very verbal and loud again so we only communicated with [redacted]. We ended up sending CAD drawings and that's when [redacted] & [redacted] realized the channels being used that were not per the picture of the shower we contracted to build. [redacted] & [redacted] then had another shower door company come out to provide a quote. They wanted to switch vendors but Colorful Beginnings explained that we couldn't pay for a 2nd door for them. The [redacted]'s also emailed Colorful Beginnings about constructing their shower wrong as our contract stated that the shower door would swing in and out. The original shower door company wasn't supplied the proper information on what they wanted but they were working with both of us to find a solution. Before receiving the email from [redacted]'s about the restriction of the door swing, Colorful Beginnings had emailed the shower door company about this to ask if it was modified could [redacted]'s have the shower door as pictured. Colorful Beginnings, Inc. forwarded that email correspondence to [redacted] so he could see that Colorful Beginnings, Inc. was making an honest attempt to understand if we could indeed supply the door as pictured but that it also be functional and meet all the new criteria that came to surface when the first door didn't fit. Thankfully, we were able to design a shower door system as pictured.
Colorful Beginnings, Inc. did have to remove tile from both knee walls, reframe, retile and provide & install a new matching granite cap for the glass to site on. Colorful Beginnings, Inc. did this without hesitation. We also completed the repairs all in one day. Colorful Beginnings even invited [redacted] upstairs to the bathroom after the demo was done so that he could see that the waterproofing mat and wall were not damaged and the repair was completed properly before we finished installing the new tile. The repairs on our end were completed, the new shower door was being installed. [redacted] or [redacted] were not home for the install. Unfortunately, to no fault of Colorful Beginnings, one of the 3 panes of glass did not fit due to an existing wall angle. Colorful Beginnings, Inc asked if there was a way to install the glass so the shower could be used until the new glass arrived. That's when the glass company tweaked the install. After completed, the installers said it was to standard. So Colorful Beginnings texted a picture of the completed shower to [redacted].
Hours later [redacted] called to explained detailed measurements were off, shower didn't line up so Colorful Beginnings immediately went back to the [redacted]'s home to visually understand the concerns and discuss the install. [redacted] answered the door and I followed her up to the bathroom. [redacted] yelled, used foul language, demanding the glass company get their right now to look her in the face and tell her this st is acceptable, she was taping her fingers all over the wet silicone just non-stop yelling and hitting the shower glass. Finally [redacted] left the restroom and [redacted] entered to calmly discuss the shower. Colorful Beginnings did not get much time to respond before [redacted] reentered the room with continued yelling. All Colorful Beginnings said was that I'd have to call the glass company to learn what they can do. Colorful Beginnings made no commitment that the shower glass would hit right at the tip of the new angle of the knee wall. The yelling from [redacted] in her small bathroom had reached my tolerance. Colorful Beginnings requested the yelling to stop in order to discuss the shower. The yelling from [redacted] continued so Colorful Beginnings respectfully requested to leave the home and asked [redacted] to move from the doorway so I could leave. [redacted] refused. Colorful Beginnings explained that at this time there was nothing further we could do to please them, the yelling has been consistent through the entire job and Colorful Beginnings has tried everything to please them but failed repeatedly. Colorful Beginnings had to get toe to toe with [redacted] and ask for a 3rd time to move. [redacted] moved and I then slowly walked down the stairs, out the door and drove slowly out of the driveway.
Colorful Beginnings personally called and apologized to [redacted] the next day for walking away. Colorful Beginnings explained that it was all they could do in the heat of the moment but that we're still here to fulfill our contract if they'll have us. Up until this point we did have 70% of the contract for this 2nd contract paid. Colorful Beginnings requested that a good faith $3k payment be made before we proceeded with a final repair to the door. The balance on the contract was $7,856 before refunding some allowance money. Please remember that our allowance for the shower was $1,400.
- We quickly responded and properly re-configured the shower walls for a door that would swing both ways as per contract (at no additional charge)
- Colorful Beginnings cost on the shower door selected by [redacted]s was $1,749 but did not charge them the extra cost since our allowance was off and they had a standard frameless door requested (per out understanding at the time)
- Colorful Beginnings also paid over $600 for the cost of an all new shower door system to be per the picture even though we explained to [redacted]s that they also had the opportunity to discuss and show the picture to the sales rep when they meet him.
- Colorful Beginnings installed a new vanity light because [redacted]'s original light was on back order and she purchased a temporary light to use. We installed both and packaged the old one for return at no additional cost.
[redacted] & [redacted] had a 3rd party glass company provide a quote. They knew that the amount of money that remained owed on this bathroom contract more than paid for a new shower door but the good faith payment was denied. Colorful Beginnings then sent an email with the 2 options that would allow us to fulfill out contract. The email read:
"In followup to our conversation this morning. Here are the options we present:

1. You can hire another party to order a new pane of glass and re-align the other two pieces of glass. Deduct the amount of that work from our agreed contract amount and send balance payment with a copy of the receipt to Colorful Beginnings, Inc.
2. Colorful Beginnings will proceed with coordinating a new pane of glass and re-alignment of the shower door through River City glass after we've received a good faith check in the amount of $3,000. Customer is required to be present for day of install to sign off on installation and final payment will be made to Colorful Beginnings same day as installation is complete.

Colorful Beginnings has already offered the following complementary services at no charge to you and that there should be 100% comfort and trust in selecting option #2. However, option #1 is being only being offered because of the high level of your frustration presented repeatedly despite our ongoing efforts to satisfy the contract and your standards. These items are:
1. No charge for new backsplash tile selection. (Original partial deposit check in April was to hold schedule, 2nd deposit check received in May after Cambria measure was to proceed with material orders) back ordered selections from Tile Shop made from 4/4 are out of our control but endless hours & commuting were done to hunt down new selection despit customers excessive frustration/hostility and husbands advice to stop brining samples. Done at no additional cost to customer.
2. Custom cut and stained filler between Dishwasher and Cambria top at no charge.
3. Hinging front false panel of appliance garge for pure customer satisfaction at no charge.
4. Grouting existing kitchen tile floor void at no charge.
5. Installed temporary vanity lighting and then removed/re-packaged and installed customer supplied back ordered light fixtures at no additional charge.
6. paid to additional cost of shower enclosure cost that exceeded the allowance clearly disclosed in the contract in the amount of $370
7. Paid to have upgraded version of a frameless shower door installed due to mis-communication of customer expectations even after customer was present to meet the sales rep during measure of frameless shower door when the header and channel pieces of previous fameless shower door was discussed/approved. Paid additional $815 at no charge to customer.
8. Invested 4 guys worth of labor and materials to adjust knee walls accordingly to accept the customer's upgraded version of a frameless shower door at no cost.
9. Lastly, supplied requested lien waivers from subs despite pre lien notices being filed on property and MN State guidelines. Did for pure customer comfort and piece of mind due to previous bad contractor experiances.

Stephen and I undoubtably feel that we have stuck through it and gone above and beyond trying to satisfy our contract. Please select which option from above you wish to proceed with so that we have a clear understanding of how to conclude our contractural obligations."
A week went by with no response from [redacted]s so Colorful Beginnings, Inc sent an invoice with a $700 credit should the [redacted]s have had to hire a 3rd party and since no response was received we requested payment for a fair price. $700 was for 1/2 the allowance in the contract and easily covered replacement of the one piece of glass to be re-cut.
This was the dialog:
"
-------Original Message-------
From:
Subject: RE: Invoice from Colorful Beginnings, Inc.
Sent: Sep 21 '15 11:43
The work on the bathroom was completed as of last week. Please send the invoice, and the lien wavers completed and correct, and we will then pay the balance due.

[redacted]

________________________________________
From: Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2015 22:11:57 -0500
We are waiting for completion of work that I had to myself get rescheduled and remeasured correctly. Colorful Beginnings is the one that left me to work directly with the vendor to get this job completed.
On 3 July we agreed to a payment of 3,028.00 which bought us to 70% and the balance to be paid upon completion. So on 8/22/15 you asked for 3,000.00 in good faith, why would I do that when you have failed as a contractor to provide me the customer with what I wanted and hired you to do? You talk about the frameless shower, customer courtesy, etc. etc., had you paid attention from the beginning what the customer wanted even showing you a picture stating this is what we wanted, and you even stating it in the contract we would not be in this position now.
I will notify you when the work is complete. Once that is done send the invoice, and the lien wavers completed and correct, we will then pay the balance due.
[redacted]
In conclusion:
[redacted] or [redacted] did not get in touch once the work was done. But Colorful Beginnings was in touch with their glass installer and learned that the work was completed and covered under warranty at no cost to [redacted]s. Therefore the $700 credit was removed and the correct invoice for the amount due was sent per the request of [redacted]s.
Colorful Beginnings, Inc. is still requesting payment of the $700 balance for all the reasons explained above. The request by [redacted] to forgive the $700 is denied. Colorful Beginnings does offer it's apologies for the 3 emails sent in direct sequence. This was a technical glitch in our accounting software and not intended to harass [redacted] or [redacted]. We actually just had our low voltage and internet connections serviced at the office to help resolve some of the technical issues we were having. This matter should be resolved and not happen again. Again, sorry for feeling harassed, that was not the intention. Please make payment as soon as you can.
Respectfully,
Colorful Beginnings, Inc.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2015/10/16) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
We appreciate the Revdex.com however; Colorful Beginnings uses personal "names" and I was under the understanding that no personal identifiable info was to be used. I see my name as personal.
The Client is not going to pay the $700.00 in question I have attached the invoice that was paid showing you the credit. Check number 1278, paid the $5192.00 as shown on the invoice attached; cleared the bank also.
This is not going to be a finger pointing response; I was not the irate person she made me out to be; however; anyone would be upset paying nearly 30k to anyone and not feeling completely satisfied. As I had stated before the glass vendor didn't want to put their name on the work that Colorful Beginning was in fact trying to tell us met "Industry Standard". The Client only asked that the work be completed in a timely fashion; all other explanations of the "free" work Colorful Beginnings gave us were their choice. We never once said not to add it on. The attentions to details were inadequate and with that said all we did was point out things. If those were not thought of in advance by the contractor to be included in the price then it could have been discussed. As it was if you are placing a dark back splash one would think that the white electrical plugs and switches may need to be changed out to brown. Yes we the Client had to replace these on our own as we were not happy with white against the brown that the contractor had provided. Enough said about attention to detail.
Summary: we were given a discount
Colorful Beginnings, Inc.
INVOICE # [redacted]
DATE 08/31/2015
TERMS Net 30
CREDIT. No response from customer to email sent on 8/22/2015. Therefore Colorful Beginnings, Inc is
electing to refund 50% of the agreed contract allowance of $1,400 as a customer courtesy "Colorful Beginngs Inc."
(See invoice attached) please note this was paid by end of September. There will be no more payment made.
Final Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2015/10/28) */
We respect the efforts of the Revdex.com to resolve this concern. The credit of $700 is still denied and this money is still owed.
The customer did not have to request all the customer courtesy credits that were given because we value our company to do what's right and go above and beyond to service our clients for their satisfaction. But despite our efforts as outlined, the customer remains unhappy.
We are also very pleased to know that in tough customer situations that our trusted shower door company stands behind it's work. There was a point that the customer requested "others" to complete the work. They had arranged for another bid and were ready to hire. However, Colorful Beginnings denied their request at that time to pay a 3rd party until our contractor had the opportunity to repair their work. Colorful Beginnings, Inc continues to do work with this shower door installer because it's not always about getting it right the 1st time, it's about how you address and service your warranty after the product is installed and paid for. The shower door company was faced with circumstances beyond their control and yet they warranted and did the job correctly when all was said and done.
In response to electrical outlets. Colorful Beginnings offered to install any customer provided covers at no cost. At the time the customer was happy to install on their own since it was over a weekend and they wanted the new selection installed immediately.
Unfortunately, just as though there are bad contractors, there are those customers that are very difficult, unreasonable and will never be happy. And this complaint comes from one of those customers. Over a $30k contract, we have a $700 dispute. The customer is being unreasonable with their means of communication of the $700 owed. The customer is very protective of their identity in their 2nd response but yet feels that a dispute valued at less 1/4% of the contract is worthy of trying to tarnish a reputable contractor's reputation online. The customer must know how very unprofessional try treated Colorful Beginnings, Inc and therefore shys away from a professional phone call or email direct to Colorful Beginnings before taking such extreme measures.
In conclusion, Colorful Beginnings does not award or honor the $700 credit. The $700 remains outstanding and has rights to take further efforts for collection.
Respectfully,
Colorful Beginnings, Inc.