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Don’s Lamps & Antiques,
website (http://www.donslampsandantiques.com/lamps.html)
On 08/27/2010 I called Don’s Lamps & Antiques A.K.A (Shay’s Antiques) and spoke to Mr. Donald Shay about purchasing his Handel #3619 Poppy Lamp.
That he advertised as museum quality and free of any nicks, cracks or damage of any sort. He agreed to sell me the Handel #3619 Poppy Lamp for $5, 000 plus $80 for delivery, which I paid via Pay-Pal.
When I received the lamp glass shade that he shipped via FedEx, I noticed the lamp glass shade had a chip on the rim.
I immediately notified Mr. Shay of the damage and I emailed him with pictures of the damage as he requested.
He wanted the pictures to make a claim for damage with FedEx. After he received the pictures of the damage lamp glass shade, he accused me of damaging the lamp glass shade.
When I requested a refund, he told me that he will not refund my money. That I could only upgrade to another lamp for additional money, which I agreed.
I chose the Handel Scenic Lamp #5389 for an additional $1, 000 plus $125 to ship. And I also shipped the damaged Handel #3619 Poppy Lamp to GLASS FX to be repair as per Mr. Shay instructions.
On 10/20/2010 I received the Handel Scenic Lamp Shade #5389 broken in three pieces. Again I contacted Mr. Shay to notify him of the damaged lamp glass shade. He got rude with me and refused to speak to me.
After several days of emailing and calling Mr. Shay, telling him that he cannot ignore the issue of the broken lamp glass shade. I finally received an email from Mr. Shay saying that FedEx only insures antiques for $1, 000.
He also said for me to go to his website and look for another lamp, which I did.
I then emailed Mr. Shay saying that I was interested in the Handel Lamp #6748, and I also stated in the email that this lamp cost $200 more than the Handel Scenic Lamp #5389 that arrived broken to my house.
On 10/27/2010 I received an email from Mr. Shay saying, he would have the Handel Lamp #6748 that I chose courier delivered to avoid any damage for an additional $3, 650 for the lamp plus $350 for the courier’s delivery.
When I read this email I was shocked. I could not believe he wanted me to pay an additional $3, 650 for the lamp plus $350 for delivery.
I then called Mr. Shay to ask him why he was asking for so much money for this Handel Lamp Shade #6748, when this lamp glass shade was only $200.00 more then the one that arrived broken to my house.
Mr. Shay again got rude and told me that if I think that he was going to absorb the whole cost of the broken lamp glass shade, that I must be dreaming.
I then reminded Mr. Shay that he was the one who packed the lamp glass shade with only Styrofoam peanuts, and that he had to know the lamp glass shade would move all over the box, while in transit via FedEx.
I finally concluded that I was dealing with an irrational merchant, so I turned to Pay-Pal for advice.
I then notified Mr. Shay that I was going after Pay-Pal to recoup my money. Only then did he reduce the price of the Handel Lamp #6748 to $2, 625 which I paid via Pay-Pal.
And I also had FedEx return the second damaged Handel lamp to him.
Finally Mr. Shay shipped the third lamp (Handel Lamp #6748) hand delivered by courier on 1/09/2011. I immediately checked this third lamp for damages and I noticed that it also had damage a chipped rim.
This lamp was also advertised on Mr. Shay’s website as free of any nicks, cracks or damage of any sort.
Again I contacted Mr. Shay and I told him that the lamp glass shade has a chip on the rim, and he said he does not know why the lamp glass shade is damage, because he does not buy damaged lamps to sell.
In the end, I spent over $8, 800 for a lamp that he advertised for $6, 950 and I still ended up with a piece of junk (a damaged lamp glass shade).
I recently contacted my local FedEx store and I found out that Mr. Shay’s statement that FedEx only insures antiques for $1000 is not true.
According to FedEx you could insure an antique item for whatever amount it cost to replace it.
I also found out that he over charged me for all three deliveries.
BUYERS BEWARE!
I Don Shay, sold Carlos Olmo a Nice Handel lamp which Mr.Olmo did not like upon delivery and placed 10 complaints.He wanted to exchange for another which I complied with.The 2ns lamp was broken, with Fedex denying the claim, saying the damage was done after Mr.Olmo recieved.Nonetheless, in my attempt to please Mr.Olmo, I sent a third lamp.This was a very expensive transaction for me.I did the best I could.Apology has 3 elements.Always apologize, never place blame, try to make it correct.I honestly did all these things and more.Mr.Olmo left 10 complaints "only I have ever had in 30 years"on the same transaction.Again Mr. Olmo, I am very sorry this happened, I did my best.Finally it is fair to say in Mr.Olmo's defense, he spoke in such hard to understand broken English, was sometimes hard to understand which was frustrating to all .As testiment, Dons Lamps has over 4, 000 excellent feedbacks, not one negitive plus hundreds that would come forward and announce their pleasure with all transactions. I rest knowing inside that I did my very possible best.Don Shay
I refute Mr. Don Shay’s comments to my complaint filed on 02/11/2011 ‘SOLD ME A DAMAGED HANDEL GLASS SHADE’
Mr. Don Shay let me remind you, in case you are having a lapse of memory, we exchanged more than 25 emails that would prove to anyone that the complaint I wrote is the truth. I have saved all emails and FedEx documentations in case I need then in the future.
Sir, I have lived in New York City all my life, the last time I checked English is spoken in New York City as well as in Peoria Illinois, where you reside. So if you had problems understanding the way I speak English, then you need to visit the Otolaryngologist and have your hearing check. And by the way Mr. Shay you speak with an accent, but I did not mention that in my complaint, because that’s irrelevant and I’m not that kind of person.
As for those 4, 000 excellent feedbacks you are bragging about, I have not found one, but I do hope you have some satisfied customers. Sir, you cannot expect me to leave good feedback, when you sent me damaged lamps. When I reported the damage to you, and I asked for my money back, you told me that I cannot get my money back, but that I could upgrade for more money. In the end, after upgrading the third time and spending over $8, 800 I ended up with a damaged lamp (CHIPPED GLASS SHADE). Everyone knows that when it comes to Handel Lamps the value is in the glass shade. Sir, the emails we exchanged do not lie.
Always keeping it real,
Carlos Olmo
Dons Lamps and Antiques - Sells fake lamps
by Anonymous Jul 01, 2013
Review # : 424950
Company Dons Lamps and Antiques Monetary Loss $5000
Product / Service Antique Lamps
Category Furniture and Decor
Beware of this man! He sold me three fake lamps claiming they were real authentic.
He claimed the lamps were real when they were purchased. However, he knew that they were fake and had even bought reproduction bases and had people make the fake shows. Please beware and don't buy anything from this man or on his website. He should have to serve time!
Takes advantage of people if they don't know what they are buying.
He wouldn't even offer my money back when I had the lamps authenticated. Don Shay is an absolute crook and I wouldn't buy anything from him ever. 1d22177