kubert13 said:
I'd like to hear specifically what was so bad about the bad Design Center experiences.
I also had difficult experiences with the design center I had to use, but I definitely got them to sway on several things.
Thankfully, like Motor Court said, I can do a lot of things on my own so I didnt have to pay for things from te design center. And yes, my home purchase was mostly about the site that was chosen.
What do you need to know? The whole sales process is flawed and things are out of order. Did you really need to plan in stage 1, that there would be a door from the master to the master bath? I'm probably ignorant but it doesnt make any sense. They didnt tell me what I could and couldnt do, so I lost my fireplace (oh well) and my 4 BR. They said "don't worry, you can install the french door", NOT. The sales people tell you one thing and the design center another. I asked for the french door (as an exception) and didnt even get a reply. Later, I asked about it, it was "oh no, its too late". For what? Etch that door frame and give me a damn door. Why did I have to choose whether or not I wanted baseboards in stage 2? Wouldnt it make sense that you pick that out with flooring or something? Anyways, that has less to do with the design center and more to do with TIC/IP...
For the design center experience - they give you a login to studiochateau.com - but they treat you like an idiot. The options you can sort through change as the stage of your selection process changes. Further, they don't give you a lot of information, and they don't give you any pictures. Also, there isn't really a "catalog" of what's available. You have to think about it, shop for yourself, come in and hope your designer is not lazy that day "Oh, we don't have anything like that". They show you samples here and there, and there isn't a real easy way to explore all your options. You come in when you have an appointment, they show you samples and then you are supposed to know right then and there what you want. Even buying a car is easier! Several times, I saw a different sample of something on a different visit that I would have been interseted in. They have limited samples. For example, if your designer brings a specific backsplash sample to the stoneyard to meet you to match, then everyone else is out of luck that day! They definitely dont tell you everything - I paid 500 to add a buffet where home management would be. That was in an early stage. only later did I find out it'd be an extra $3K to include the same countertop and backsplash on that buffet. Thanks for letting me know! There is nothing about them that says "how can we improve", rather its "this is how things are done so tough luck!" I will be sure to provide Deb Foster my comments at the conclusion of the process. They also have no pics of some options - for example, there is an island option in one of the models... there are no pics or samples of what it would look like. Would you buy a car soley on the stock photo?
Basically, their ideal buyer is one who knows exactly what they want, with no budget in mind so they can shuffle you in and out as fast as possible while making sure you spend as much money as possible. It's not about creating the house YOU want, its about them.
I have more to say, but I'll stop the rant for now. In any event, I'm excited about moving in (just for the sake of moving in), but the whole process has been more of a negative than a positive for me...
