Citizen Cane Chair Repair /By Appointment — Local services in Westminster

Just had a weird experience today (1-27-22) taking our cane/wicker furniture to a local business for repair. It's important for us to use local businesses for services and goods. Paul of Citizen Cane's Restoration refused to take the job simply because we asked too many questions stating he couldn't handle the stress. We went there to get an estimate. We had two dining chairs that needed the cane binding replaced, one of which needed a broken leg repaired. We also had an 8-foot couch that needed the cane binding replaced in two places. Paul gave us an estimate of $600.00 which seemed rather pricey but we were willing to pay it to get our furniture repaired. Once we were in his office to write up the contract and give him the $300.00 deposit, we asked him if he could give us a timeframe for completion of repairs since our couch is our main piece of furniture for sitting in our living room. He indicated possibly a 5-6 week turnaround and then went off on the supply chain delay problem "caused by the current administration", then said he couldn't be too sure how long it would take and that he doesn't handle stress well. We also asked where he does his work and he responded here, there, and everywhere, he couldn't say for sure. He seemed extremely irritated by the questions. And then went on to say, he didn't go into "basket-weaving for stress" and that maybe he shouldn't take the job, We have never experienced a local merchant that was so disrespectful and defensive in answering legit questions. Something else is going on with this man. Not sure what it is but here's a reasonable inference. He gives estimates at his Westminster office/garage and does the work at his Kern River location. He waits until he has a full load of furniture at his Westminster location before hauling it all to Kern River for repairs. He then waits for the Westminster orders/repairs to be completed before hauling it all back to Westminster. Not a supply chain delay problem at all. After going to the bank around the corner to get the $300.00 cash deposit, we decided to give it a "go" since we had no one else to do the repairs. We came up with a solution to Paul's supply chain delay problem and us being without a couch for 5-6 weeks or longer. We suggested to Paul that while waiting for the supplies to arrive, we would give him the $300.00 cash deposit, take our furniture home until the supplies came in and bring our furniture back at that time.Seemed like a win-win for both of us.His response was "too many questions" and then refused to take the job stating that he didn't need us to cause him stress. He went on to say that he was very successful referring to his 5-star ratings (the majority of which are nearly 10 years old). His posted response to negative reviews is sudden amnesia ("no record of doing business with you") or calling them illigit reviews. A final red flag was when asked how many cane binding replacements he does, he responded: "I do them everyday". If he does them everyday, why doesn't he have the supplies on hand? There were too many red flags during the 20-minute interaction with Paul...glad he refused the job. He did us a huge favor because we found a cane/wicker repair/restoration business in Long Beach with good prices and reviews, quicker turnaround, no attitude, and happy for the work. Also, found a local cane/wicker supply business that had the cane binding we needed for $18.00 that Paul implied was stuck on ships offshore. Also, they gave us instructions on how to do it ourselves. Very...

I have been looking for a reputable and experienced person to repair the cane on my grandmothers Stickley dining room chairs. I had been researching and looking for a long time. The furniture was given to me by my grandmother when my husband and I bought our first house. The set now holds not only memories of my childhood but also my childrens'. I contacted Paul and he asked me to send him pictures. Then, he came over and gave me his professional advice on how to go about repairing and preserving our family heirloom. I decided to have him go ahead with the work and am so pleased that I did. One of the things that I loved was that Paul kept me updated with pictures so I could see the progress of his work. He researched the colors of the original stains used by Stickley on their pieces created in the 1890's-1900's. His website is extremely informative and professionally done. When I decided to have Paul do the work, he carefully carried, wrapped and placed the chairs in his truck so that there was no damage. They turned out so beautifully that when he returned them I gave him the table to work on. When he brought the table back home I literally teared up his work was so beautiful. Needless to say I would recommend Citizen Cane for any and all restoration work. He is professional and personable and easy to work with. He does exactly what he says he is going to do. A side note; my daughter had a purse that had 2 broken wooden handles. She LOVED the purse and no one seemed to know what to do or how to fix it. I sent Paul a picture and he had me bring the purse over. He made new wooden handles and my daughter is...

It is rare to find a knowledgable, FINE craftsman who cares and puts his heart and soul into his work. When you do you want to scream it from the rooftops and that is what I am doing now! Paul not only beautifully recaned and refinished some antique chairs for me, but at first sight knew their age and place of origin. I was really thrilled with my experience with him and took his picture before I left, which I will post. THEN .... just after Christmas, I fell while carrying a prized possession of mine, a large, hand carved Court Jester I had purchased 50 years ago in Oberamergau, Germany! Both legs were broken and it looked as if it was the end of something beautiful. Then I thought of Paul Thibodeau and wondered if maybe he could work a miracle. I emailed him photos of the broken piece and he said MAYBE he could fix him. I picked up my Court Jester today, 4 months and a lot of work later, and he is PERFECT and once more reigning over my dining room. THANK YOU Paul and may this review and photos show the world what a wonderful man and...