The Shade StoreReviews of theshadestore.com

Poor instillation, wrong size on one of the shades. Poor follow up

I am writing to formally express my disappointment with the service I have received regarding the faulty romains I purchased from your store on [purchase date]. Despite my efforts to seek a reasonable resolution, the refusal to replace the defective item has left me dissatisfied. As I require a functional product, I have obtained quotes from other providers and have decided to proceed with an alternative supplier. Unfortunately, this experience has led me to feel that my money was wasted on an item that does not work through no fault of my own.

I wish I had read the Trustpilot reviews before purchasing. Many of the concerns shared here align with my own experience. Over the past 2–3 years, we purchased more than $75,000 worth of window coverings from The Shade Store in Palm Desert, CA. Our initial motorized shades were relatively straightforward, and despite a few issues, we were ultimately satisfied. However, in 2024, we ordered several custom drapery treatments, including custom rods, cornices, and motorized drapery, and encountered significant challenges. Unlike many custom window treatment companies, The Shade Store operates with a centralized production model—local showrooms have limited selection, and everything is manufactured elsewhere and shipped directly to the customer. This means large orders arrive in multiple shipments, requiring customers to store boxes until all items arrive before scheduling an installation. Installation Delays & Staffing Issues The real issues began with installation. The Palm Desert showroom appeared to be understaffed, sometimes closing on certain days, and we were informed that local installer availability was very limited, with only two installers covering a large area. As a result, appointments were booked out several weeks. When our installation date finally arrived, we expected a thorough, professional service given the scope of our project. However, one installer was assigned to handle nine windows, including two massive sliding door systems (20 and 30 feet long), with only about five hours allotted. The installer immediately acknowledged that he couldn’t complete most of the work alone, meaning we had to reschedule—another delay of nearly a month. Upon contacting the local showroom, we were told they had no control over scheduling and that we needed to reach out to customer service. I escalated the matter, emailing customer service and copying the company’s founder, Zack. I eventually received a response from a representative named Davon, who assured me that two installers would be scheduled for a full-day appointment to meet our deadline. Product & Design Issues While we appreciated the expedited rescheduling, the installation revealed multiple product and design flaws, including: • A cornice that was too short, failing to cover the tops of the window treatments. • Drapery rods that sagged due to inadequate support. • Other design issues that impacted both function and aesthetics. The installers did what they could but informed us that another visit would be required. Unfortunately, at this point, customer service became unresponsive. Despite my repeated attempts to follow up, my original contact, Davon, never replied again. After further persistence, I was eventually connected with another representative, Alex, who spent over an hour on the phone going through the outstanding issues and assured me he would follow up on Monday with a resolution and a new installation date. That was over a week ago, and I have heard nothing since. Lack of Accountability & Unresolved Issues At this stage, I still have incomplete window treatments and unopened boxes sitting in my home, despite having paid the full amount months ago. Emails to customer service have gone unanswered, and I am now initiating a chargeback through American Express due to the failure to complete the work as promised. Having been in the retail industry, I consider myself a reasonable customer with realistic expectations regarding quality and service. Unfortunately, this has been one of the worst experiences I’ve encountered—especially frustrating given that we are rebuilding our home after a fire. Moving forward, I will prioritize working with locally owned businesses whenever possible, as my experience suggests that large national chains like this may lack the necessary customer care and accountability for high-value custom projects.

Don’t know about the stores, but a driver with The Shade Store printed on the van was super rude to me on one of the Nashville highways today. Not courteous allowing me to merge (open lane next to him or her…and heavy handed on the horn. Seems aligned with the store reviews on here.

Stay away from this business. I have had terrible experience. The quality of the shades drapes are not good. I had shades that started to rip off in less than a month from sides, drapes that started ripping off after 1 and half years of using. The shades were easily replaced but for drapes I went through so much of pain and disrespect of Berkeley location consultants Angie and Angela. Mean disrespectful with attitude that poor quality of material is my fault and I was treated like I am beggar and asking them for free stuff " I am a doctor" Anyway after months of pain and disrespect I got approved for partial refund on drapes to order new set but the consultant "Amy" didn't tell me that type of drapes I selected need longer rods to be able to pull drapes back for full view of windows and the length of drapes that I wanted to be one inch from floor it came touching floor because of rods distance of one inch from ceiling. Amy didn't inform me about all. It ended up I went with lower price rods and longer rods to fix the issue which took months to be approved. Three rods three drapes which took 45 minutes of installation which I charged for $660 for installation. I requested partial refund for installation and difference for rods since I ended up with cheaper rods to fix the issues. Matthew Robinson sent me this email " I've been informed that you are seeking a credit for the difference between the track you originally ordered and the track that you changed your order to. We do not reimburse this amount. A significant discount to reorder the track in the way you desired has already been offered. No further credits can be applied to this order." Worth mentioning that during process of refund for drapes that ripped off in less than two years he was the one communicating with me and after few emails and calls he blocked my number. The quality of products are very poor, for cheap rods that you can buy less than $100 they will charge you thousands of dollars. For installation that handyman can easily do in much lower price they will charge you $660 for 45 minutes work. The consultants are nice when you purchase and pay for something but when it comes for return or exchange of poor products you will see the real face and very mean attitude. The warranty yes exists but you have to go through so much spending time arguing pain disrespect until happens. Absolutely I don't recommend this business. Go somewhere else for better and reasonable products and more knowledgeable consultants.

Worst customer experience ever. Contacted them on October 24th to fix one of their products that I bought time ago and I'm still waiting. Three months and they don't have anyone to help me. HORRIBLE

Borderline Criminally Bad Service After their first failure in shipping my shades I shrugged. I learned about their second failure when their installers showed up and I had no shades. Following the third failed shipment of my shades they refused to refund and ignored my emails. Two weeks ago, following multiple phone calls I asked for and received an email confirming they would refund. Two weeks later- still no refund. Stay away from this place. There are plenty of places to buy mid level shades with installation service.

These shades are overpriced trash. The motorized shades eat lithium batteries and you can't open or close them any other way. A lithium ion battery usually lasts for years, but these things eat one every month with infrequent use. They don't even look that good after a couple months and you'll quickly grow to hate them. Save your money and go anywhere else.