Beware of placing custom orders at the The Gallery of Belle Meade. After searching throughout the city for a small scale love seat, my husband and I found one at The Gallery of Belle Meade. We placed an order for the love seat in a fabric of our choice. The owner, Tim Gregory, insisted on payment in full at the time of order, something we have learned since never to do. He estimated that it would be 6 - 12 weeks until delivery. Since I had never encountered problems with furniture orders, I waited over 14 weeks until I first called to check on the order. I was told it would be another month or so before delivery. After a month, when I called again, Tim Gregory seemed to avoid my call. When I finally got through to him and complained about the long wait, he became rude and defensive. Over the next several months my husband began calling regularly. Each time, Tim Gregory provided another excuse for why the piece was delayed. At one point he even went so far as to set up a preliminary delivery date (which fell through). Throughout all of this, Tim was unwilling (or unable) to show us proof that the piece was ever even ordered and he refused to give us contact information for the manufacturer. Tim Gregory also refused our multiple requests for a refund stating that the item would arrive the next week. Finally, seven months after the order was placed, and after several threats of legal action, he reluctantly gave us a refund. Nearly the same scenario happened to personal friends. They had been pleased with pieces they bought off the floor at the Gallery of Belle Meade, but never received the custom ordered pieces. Better Business Bureau (BBB), which regrettably we didn't consult, gives the business a rating of 'F'. Nearly all the complaints to BBB are similar - no furniture and a refusal to refund until legal action is threatened. Don't let this happen to you!!!
more