Letter to Empire today company concerning their estimate for wood floors.  

To whom it may concern:  I called empire today company when I saw their as on the television.  The had a buy one room and get one room free for flooring advertisement and called from my home to see how much this would cost as I would have loved to  have wood floors in my current condo and in the two bedrooms that presently  are covered with carpeting. 

I spoke with  a rep.( gentleman I believe his name was barney ) who set up an appointment  for  creating an estimeate.  I was told that no estimates were quoted  over the phone. 

I tried to call  when I was at work to confirm  the fist attempt of a consultation  and to see if I could get any further information as to the costs involved  in a buy one room and get one room for free. This time I spoke with a woman  who

I went online and on the  website I saw an  opportunity  to  set up an appointment so I  confirmed my appointment online. 

 I set up an appointment  over the phone  

I set up appointment on line,

I set up or tried to confirm the appointment on the phone and got completely different information,

The person who came to my home had a card that said his name was Alex Novak  and his estimate for  a dark wood floor that was pressed wood not actually solid real  wood was approx. $7000.00   that was for one room and one free room totaling in approx.  491 square feet   for both rooms.   

I do not believe that  this gentleman was from  your company and I want to notify you that  such scam artist exist.  He drove a navy blue saab car.   He was probably in his 50 or 60’s he was white male  with blue eyes .   He brought  sample  boards that  had wood samples … he had a note book but he could not read the fine print for the estimate.  He asked me to read the paperwork in the notebook that listed the  estimated cost  per square foot price when he quoted me a price.   If you do have an employee that resembles this description he had better check for any identity theft.  I am a victim of identity theft and believe me,  these insidious criminals  will stoop to any level to commit crimes and steal jobs at any cost to their victims and for any profit for themselves.   

 He came into the estimate with a new York accent wanting to know how much I wanted to spend and told me that if it was not at least $ 4000. He may as well leave.   I told him to leave but asked him whether or not he even wanted to see the rooms that I was thinking of changing into the wood floors.    When I asked him if he wanted to see the rooms I also asked if he was going to measure the rooms to gain the square footage for his estimate.   I also told him that I had  in the past had my own business where estimates were  based on square footage  and wanted to see if he needed a tape measure. I had drawn basic sketches of the rooms and had measured the rooms myself.  His estimate of $7000.00 was outrageous especially when I later when to Lowes and  for $1000.00 the same pressed wood with the same  tint including installation.  For both rooms!

The gentleman who came out to do the consultation also  mentioned that the choice of color for wood wouldn’t be  his selection  and that I was a smart woman  who would be able to bet a better price at lumber liquidators… not the normal  endorsement for a loyal employee. 

I have had the unfortunate experience of having con-artist construction/handyman people in my life before. I met a conartist named gerard ahler who   claimed to be from Brooklyn new York and claIMED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE MAFIA! HE ALSO SAID HE OWNED pro line contracting.  These con-artist have in the past presented themselves from legitimate companies   by having an initial  consultation so they can get business cards, paperwork and various samples then  go to other  legitimate customers hoping   to obtain the  contract for the legitimate business…. At a very increased price.  I believe this was most probably   the motive of this con-artist. If by some chance, he is not a con-artist pretending and  presenting himself as one of your  employees, and actually does work for your  company, and continues to have the same sales  pitch with other customers you might want to  speak with him about   his presentation!  

After the sales rep came to my home with such a ridiculous sales presentation, I have not called back to reschedule with empire today and have told many people about my  less than great experience.  I would have loved to do business with your company but do to feel confident in   phone and sales people and would be very worried about installation and warrantee of the products based on  the experience I have had thus far with empire today.  If you have any changes in your company or can verify that these were con artists instead of your actual employees please feel free to contact me so that a business relationship may be established.  Thank you for your kind attention to this letter/ email. Sincerely mary jean ziska