Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  06/24/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We own a small flooring installation business and have picked up flooring to install from this store since it opened from the previous owner over 10yrs ago in which we also installed for. We noticed a huge decline in calls from customers about a year ago but assumed it was the economy until a call was received about 3-4 months ago with a salesman *** Arms. He proceeded to tell us that if we wished to continue to have our card handed to customers or even being mentioned as an installer that we would need to pay him $100 per job in cash under the table!! We have never paid for jobs in the 20+ years of installing and told him just that. Since then we have had no jobs received from new customers and our card has been taken down from the counter where the policy was all cards approved would remain so the customer could choose who they wanted to bid on jobs. We have five kids that not only depend on our income but two that also complete jobs with us to have income. It has completely demolished our revenue and feels highly illegal to demand payment under the table in cash to even have a business card handed out when we have worked out of the Paducah/****** KY store even before the Elkton store was built!! We approached the manager to let him know what the employees were doing but have had two calls this week alone from customers stating they were going with the other person the salesman insisted on when they picked up their flooring. These are installers that are in other trades at that but are being told by the employees that they are installers. It goes against the stores stated policy for installers as well as illegal as a business on our part to pay kick backs for a salesman to secure work. It also seems hugely discriminatory to who is paying them off and who is running an honest business.

  Business response

  08/02/2024

  I have spoken with this customer who made me aware of a previous employee asking this installer about being paid to get this company work.  As I told this company, we do not condone or practice this type of recommendation process at Surplus Sales.  We have a strict policy of NOT being involved in the installation process at all. We have several installers that we either give their card to customers if they have one here or if they do not have a card here (as in this case) we will give them the installers contact information. That is the end of our involvement. We do not "subcontract" to any flooring or cabinet installer. This installer made me aware of the situation that took place, and I let this employee (whom is no longer employed here) know that this was in no way how we do business. I have personally given out this installer's contact information several times this week, and always have as they do very good work. We work with several installers in the area and have not heard of this problem from any of them.

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