remember my problem with my designer & outdoor furniture?

13 years ago

Hi all,

I was doing a search online and found one of my very, very old threads about my then-ongoing saga with my former interior designer (FID) and thought it was finally time to write a post-script. I won't bore you with the details again, but it involves her having ordered knock off furniture rather than the furniture we had seen in the store. We eventually went to binding arbitration and then to court and, during this process, learned of several other clients who had similar stories. (I found two of them through GW!)

One client had purchased furniture from FID. Despite her having paid in full, this client never received her furniture. The client got fed up with the designer's delay tactics and finally called the manufacturer. Once she learned that the designer had never placed an order, and had never paid the manufacturer, the client went to the police and pressed criminal charges.

Suffice it to say that our FID was convicted of felony theft about two weeks ago. She will be sentenced in about two weeks and may face jail time.

As far as getting our money back, that might take a while: FID and her dear attorney-husband recently filed for bankruptcy protection--the second time in less than eight years.

Just thought you'd all want to hear the outcome. Thank you all for your support and advice through this process. It has certainly been enlightening!

Here is a link that might be useful: link to old thread

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Comments (10)

magnaverde
13 years ago
Through a combination of bad luck, poor planning, health issues--lots of stuff--bankruptcy can happen to anybody, but it's a financial event with a beginning & and end, whereas lying & cheating are character issues that seem to go on forever with some people. Bankruptcy should never be used as a shield against the consequences of bad conduct. Either way, it's good to hear that your designer's bait-&-switch tricks finally caught up with her. Shady operators like that give the profession a bad name.
mclarke
13 years ago
MEG!

I've wondered about you so often! Thanks for letting us know what finally happened. I'm in awe of your determination -- your resolution to follow this through and make sure this awful, awful woman got what was coming to her.

I'm sorry that you won't be getting your money back right away. I hope you're getting some small satisfaction that she was caught and convicted.

-- Maureen
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Hmm. Is this still here? Someone just emailed me and asked if I had had it pulled. Well, here goes: First, I'm sorry if my trivial problems have started such a ruckus, and if anyone has been hurt or offended in the process. Obviously not my intention. And I was not slinging mud. Mostly ducking. To answer some of the questions: I did get references. She seemed to be ethical and have a discerning eye (ha!). I did not think this was going to be a Kreiss product, per se. But it was coming from the same manufacturer who supplies Kreiss. She still insists that that's true. No good explanation for why this furniture looks like it does, or why she didn't see the problems. But as someone else pointed out, a court would probably require us to give the manufacturer an opportunity to make it right, so that's why I've agreed to a do-over if the manufacturer won't agree to a refund. The designer has stated that the replacements will be exactly like the Kreiss set or I can return them.
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mahatmacat1
13 years ago
Wow, good for all of you all for pursuing this person. I am sorry you won't be getting your money back -- if only the world could be organized so that bankruptcy would be limited to those who, like my dear late next door neighbor, lost their jobs when they got diagnosed with cancer, and *not allowed* to those who use it as a recourse to run from criminal behavior, like your FID, and I'm sorry to say, people and corporations on a much larger scale as well.

I do hope you can take satisfaction that you've protected other people from the same disaster, and that you have found your way to some wonderful replacement furniture, with any luck, on sale!
melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
13 years ago
I remember your furniture disaster. Thanks for the update! PPs have already re-iterated my sentiments. I'm glad you found justice of a sort. I'm disappointed that your designer really was a scammer :-(
TxMarti
13 years ago
I've wondered what happened too. Thanks for the update, but I'm sorry you aren't getting your money back. I hope that woman goes to jail where she belongs.
les917
13 years ago
I am so sorry that you went through all that, and sorry that others did as well. It is a shame that you arenÃ¢ÂÂt getting your money back, but that is why I am going to say what follows here.

I donÃ¢ÂÂt see any benefit in jail time for this. She will cost the state money while she is imprisoned, and will likely not get that much time if this is a first conviction over unordered furniture.

YOu and I would see time in jail as a horrible situation. For her, it might be a small price to pay for a short time, until she is free to cheat people again.

What I would rather see is that she would have a judgement against her for whatever amount she has stolen, and be in a probation position which required that a certain percentage of any income she would have, either her own or her share of joint income from her spouse, would be paid directly to the state for restitution to you and others. This would include any inheritance, lottery winnings, investment income she has. That probation status would also require that she be reporting and show where she is living,and working.

The reason? Because I firmly believe that the character flaws that permitted her to pull this in the first place wonÃ¢ÂÂt be changed by jail time, but her deception skills and anger will likely increase. There is NOTHING to keep her from pulling the same crap once she is out.

Yes, probation costs the state money as well, but nothing compared to housing an inmate, imo.

And if she and her DH donÃ¢ÂÂt work to avoid paying the judgement? The judgement never goes away, and she lives with no income at all.
mitchdesj
13 years ago
Thanks for the follow up; I so remember your saga!
good luck to you, I hope you recuperate your money.

I will be wanting to know how the judge sees this; she should not get away with this.
donnawb
13 years ago
I am glad that she is getting what is coming to her but do feel bad about the people that she cheated and I am sure there are more than you know.

I do like Les917 idea about the judgment until all parties are paid.
andee_gw
13 years ago
Meg,
I read, transfixed, through your saga of two years ago, learned a lot, and appreciate your bringing us up to date. If the judge should ask the "victims" (or maybe even accept unsolicited opinions) it seems to me that justice is better served with the judgment that Les suggests, and for those reasons, than jail time.

BTW, what ever happened to the furniture?
jaybird
13 years ago
Hi Meg...it's good to see you! Thank you for posting the outcome...so many people don't and a curious old lady such as myself is left to wonder...........
Incidentally, I too agree with Les!
Take care of yourself and check in with us more often...we miss having you around!
J

remember my problem with my designer & outdoor furniture?

Comments (10)

magnaverde

mclarke

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