Dream Creations Gift Boutique — Local services in Hyde Park Township

Let me first start by saying I'm a well educated young woman who holds Bachelor's of Science in Paralegal Studies, National Paralegal Certification, and 2 classes from obtaining a Master's of Science in Legal studies, and hold a job with one of the largest business firms here in Chicago.

I ordered balloons from Dream Creations based on a family referral, I sent a picture of what I wanted and was assured by Shawndel this is what I would get. I placed my order over the phone with Shawndel 2 weeks before my event, giving her specifics on what I needed. I provided the date and address and TIME of my event. I was told I would would receive my delivery between 1 and 2pm the day of my event. I was also charged a delivery fee and 10% tax on my order, mind you the tax percent in Chicago is 9.25% but I didn't make a issue. I was told I have to find a way to get her stands used for my order back to her business within 72 hrs, which I'm sure wouldn't even fit in my car.

The day of my event I called Shawndel at 1:55pm and asked about my delivery, I was told "no we have you down for 3 o' clock, but we can have it there in 5 minuets. Oh no I didn't know you were in Midlothian we will get it there as soon as possible." How can you tell me you have me down at 3, but you don't even know where I am, clearly this was a moment of confusion on her part but I said okay. She called back and apologized, but told me she don't usually take orders online, however I did not place a order online, I placed the order with her over the phone. Also she requires a 50% deposit, I paid her in full at the time of my order. 30 minutes later the balloons arrive with her husband, and they were nothing like what I asked for. They were also poorly constructed, I could see spaces in what should've been an ice cream column, so the poles used were visible, the colors I asked for were not used and at this point were an hr into my party. I calmly called Shawndel and told her I'm not sure where the communication was lost but this is not what I ordered, I also began to explain the terrible construction of the product and was cut off by her saying "you can send them back and receive a refund." I said okay and returned to the gym where my party was held and told her husband to remove the balloons. Monday morning, I send her a follow up message asking for confirmation of a refund ans was told I need to dispute this with the holder of my card due to the legal advice of her attorney.

This is a business, you are paid for goods and services, you took the goods back to your store, you offered a full refund, we entered a verbal agreement over the phone for a specific services at a specific time which was VOIDED once you were late and not present at the agreed upon time and location, so why wouldn't you return my money. She offered the refund which is why I agreed, I called her to explain my dissatisfaction, I never once asked for a refund. From our first conversation about her being late she asked if I wanted to cancel my order, I told her then I wanted my balloons, and this is not what I got. Now I'm in a dispute with my bank to receive my money back, I asked Shawndel multiple times to provide her attorney information in which she never responded to. This is bad customer service, bad business practice, and a owner who refuses to return money she received even though I didn't have the product. She could have simply resolved this by saying sorry, returning half of my money and leaving the balloons, but she chose this route and now refuses to give me my money. Please be advised and look elsewhere. She's also highly priced for things you can get cheaper and better here in Chicago,...

If I could give these company a zero star review, I would...I purchased a prom send off package from Shawndale as I found out about the business through the Chatham Business Association block party. During the block party they suggested that attendees purchase CBA gift cards and because we were supporting a black business, they would throw in a FREE gift card worth half the value of the purchased gift card, i.e. I bought a $300 gift card and received a free $150 gift card. I thought this was a great deal. I came in, placed my order, and paid additional from the $350 as there was still a balance due. The owner let me know that my daughter prom and her sister prom was same day but that that wouldnt be an issue because she would have everything set up by 3pm.

Day of prom comes and I call at 2:30 as she hadnt arrived and she assured me that she had not forgotten and that everything would be ready by 5. I agreed because at this point we had no other options, and the send off didnt start until 5. She arrived at 4 and after a few questions got started, at 5:05 she wasnt even half way done, now as the mother im watching guest arrive who are now watching her set up, and she is missing pieces of the background cover, she at one point ask can she leave a piece of it red although the colors are black and silver, I reply no as there is no other red in the decor, she then is missing a piece and needs to have it delivered, .. help for her arrives at 5:45 which is my daughters scheduled "walk out" time...she is still working so we are held up, photographer needs to stay longer (more money) and the driver need to be pushed back as well (more money), the help is vaping in front of my older relatives and the entire experience is unprofessional, she calls me over and offers a throne chair, I decline as my daughter did not want one and wouldnt have the time to sit as we are already behind, she finishes at 6:05.

I dont know when she picked up the items, but it was before 8:30 so I paid hundreds of dollars to have the items less than 3 hours. I texted around 9pm and stated that I would like to talk about our contract, she didnt reply. She never apologized for her tardiness, never even acknowledged the inconvenience at all. I called Monday and told her that we needed to talk, she stated that it was a holiday and to try again tomorrow. She never initiated any communication with me to try to rectify the situation. I called again on Tuesday and was met with disrespect. I manage a customer service department of a prestigious organization and I pride myself on being polite and professional. I told her that I would like to finish my statement and then I would listen or she could speak first and she told me "she didnt have time to let me finish talking what did I want" I said to be reimbursed for some of my payment, she said that I "didnt even pay for it" that the Chatham Business Association paid for it, (im assuming because I used the gift cards (which they encouraged and she accepted) and that she hadnt received her payment from them, (SN she also charged a fee for using them which I later found out was fraudulent)... we ended up not coming to any solution and she hung up in my face. I will be contacting the CBA to make them aware of her business practices. I am a very reasonable person but the way she handled this situation was very unprofessional and rude. I would not recommend...

Let me begin by saying that Shawndel Brown is the OWNER. Her review of her business should be taken with a grain of salt. That means only of these reviews are valid. :)

So, before Valentine's someone shared a flyer from Dream Creations Gift Boutique with these beautiful V-Day baskets. I told my Valentine I wanted one and he complied. The poor man spent $50 on the $39 product, then $40 for shipping. What I got were THE cheapest items ever. They had the nerve to tell him that they were not responsible for the catastrophe & that a full refund wouldn't be allowed because the items had been delivered; though they did refund him the EXCESSIVE cost of shipping. The owner also messaged me and asked that I not write a nasty review because they're a struggling, black, small business (as if it matters when you have poor business practices). The whole thing came in a poorly taped Dollar Tree box. The balloon was busted, the box of chocolates was cheap, everything had one, single piece of bubble paper wrapped around it. I'm pretty sure that, aside from the Yellow Tail, every item they sent me was purchased at Dollar Tree. I could've created this gift basket myself & saved him $80. I shared pics of what I received on the Facebook page.

2/19 Update: Ms. Shawndel (owner) has taken it upon herself to continue emailing my friend, asking him to have me take down my review because it's going to ruin the business. One bad review does NOT an empire destroy. I urge people to make their own choices and not base them on this one review. There are several other reviews below mine that appear to be pretty good. What I WILL add, however is that after spending all morning emailing Ms. Shawntel back and forth I couldn't be more disgusted. I won't post the emails here, but she is a very poor business woman and my personal recommendation is to purchase higher quality, equally priced gifts from other places if you can. I have shared my experience, pictures, and emails with multiple people already. It's the reason there are so many LIKE's on...