[Ladygolfer93]

Reading reviews tonight as I am just about to go with carpeting from Lowes, but had a really strange experience with their subcontractor (might be Keller Interiors, not sure) who sends the person to measure. The person who came was "odd", I'll use that for the adjective. I tried very hard to just brush past my "gut" feeling, but, as it turned out the person was more than "odd". I kept quiet but, rather than walk about 6 feet to the side of the drapes that contained the pully assembly, he simply reached up and "yanked" as hard as possible to pull the drapes out of his way to use his laser to measure. I winced, but said not a word. Of course this really messed up the whole pully tension and thus the drapes. It got worse from there, I won't recount all here. In the end, he did NOT take the measurements of all I want done, so when Lowes said they needed another measure, I was fine with it but just asked that they send someone other than the first individual. They said they would do their best. I believe they were sincere, but I also realize they have no power over this person's employer or assignments. Unfortunately, the same guy showed up. Won't describe him but, believe me, dressed strangely for a professional. To each his own I thought, so I greeted him warmly, with a smile, and said "welcome ____, looks like we meet again. Sorry you had to come back, but I've decided to add some areas. He looked at me like a deer in the headlights. Let me know he had never been to my house. (His first visit was less than two weeks prior). He went to the area to be remeasured, and after he had finished the "problems" began as soon as I asked about a couple of tips I had picked up from retire people who had been in the business. (use of mechanical stretchers rather than the knee kick, double tack strip to prevent "wrinkles" in 2 or 3 years, etc.). It was immediately clear HE was in charge, did NOT appreciate my questions, was VERY vague about his employer, the office or address, and other questions that I could tell he considered prying (I guess ?). When he explained that he "hoped I realized there would be a seam right at the entrance of a bedroom, and I replied no, I don't think I wanted to have the seam there, he went into a long explanation of why it would be. When he finished, I thought it was my turn to talk again, so I explained how this retired from the business relative showed me the seam could be done since the carpet I had chosen came in either 12' or 15' widths. He stopped me, began to lecture me, even used his finger to shake at me and tell me to LISTEN, that the method he described was the proper way to install, lectured me on all his years of experience (I guess he was much older than he looked), and I finally said we'll just have to disagree on that one, I'll talk to Lowes again (Lowe's personnel were EXCELLENT !). I changed the subject, asked where his company way located ? Told "all over the country". I rephrased the question: Where is the nearest office ? I was told Ocala. I asked for the number so I could call and ask some of the questions he could not answer such as; do you use automatic stretchers ? Hand cranked or electric ? Can I request double tack strip since the area is so large ? Turned out the "office" number he gave me was his personal cell phone number (which I already had to use to set up the appointment !). So much for trying to get information on the actual installation crew and methods! Based on this, and the other things that happened (he argued with great tenacity),I finally had to ask him to leave since I found myself so annoyed I began to raise my voice and certainly wanted to avoid something like that. He had finished his measurements but continued to stand in my bedroom and not move. I asked him to follow me to the front door. He did not. I went back to that portion of the house and asked him again to please leave. He said not until he could explain his plan for seams more. I told him the person I was working with at Lowes had already done that, even drew a diagram, and we could decide then on vertical or horizontal seams. I ask him again to please follow me to the front door. He did, he continued to "talk" to the closed door. Finally returned to his car, got on his cell phone and when I left my house later to do some errands, he was still parked in front of my home. After this second experience, I am really leery of Lowes and more convinced my negative "gut feeling" from the first encounter, was on target. The two folks I have been working with at Lowes are fantastic, could not be more customer friendly, excellent communication, always return calls very promptly, and not even on commission. Yet, I am really concerned about WHO will be coming to my house and what they will do. I don't know what to do now, I love the carpet and the vinyl plank I have spent so much time picking out, but afraid after I pay the huge bill, Lowes might wash their hands of it ???