Suite Dreams Bedrooms & Stuff for Kids — Local services in Windsor Heights

It has taken me awhile to write a review for Suite Dreams...my journey with Lisa and the staff started in October of 2014. I ordered a great nursery set from them for my daughter's nursery. Was told, like others it would be 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, I hadn't heard anything from the store so I called to find out the status. I was told the factory was backed up and it would be an additional couple of weeks. I ordered early enough that I had a few weeks before my due date, so I wasn't too worried. Furniture arrived and was set-up 10 days before I delivered...

Then, after using the nursery for a month, while changing my baby, I noticed a crack down the dresser. There were two matching cracks down each side of the dresser. After examining the entire nursery, I found the nightstand had also cracked down both sides. Immediately I went to the store with pictures of the damage and requested to have replacements. Was told by Lisa, "Oh. I thought they had taken care of this problem." Guess it was a known fact that the factory was shipping sub par furniture and was never told about it. She agreed that she would order replacements that day. That was March 29th, 2015.

Called the store at the end of April after not hearing any word on my replacements. Was told by Lisa that it would be another 4-12 weeks to get furniture in. After receiving a notice in the mail in May, I went by the store. Apparently, all of my furniture was now on "voluntary" recall due to lead paint. So I filled out the necessary paperwork and requested replacements on all nursery...was told at this time by Lisa that my previous replacement request had not been filed because of the recall...she would expect everything to come in about the same time, around 8-12 weeks.

Checked back every month by phone or in person. Was always told that my order would be checked on and I would receive a call back...never received follow up. My daughter was now 6 months old and still had yet to sleep in her nursery furniture. Was offered the floor sample crib on loan until my replacement came in. Was told by Lisa, "It will be delivered free of charge." My thought -- that was the very least they could do. Got it delivered the next day and set-up in nursery. When going to put daughter down in it that night for her first night in nursery realized they had forgotten to put in a screw and the crib was falling apart. Finally put everything together correctly myself the next day.

After months and months of back and forth with Suite Dreams, I finally received all of my nursery furniture in December of 2015. Oh and the saga continues...I noticed last week that the crib has paint chipping off of it...I have yet to go back and see what can be done. Guess I will have to soon! Never once have I been offered any refund or credit to their store. Nor have I been compensated in any way for my trouble. Very disappointed! By the way, my daughter will be 1 year old...

BUYER BEWARE

On November 23rd my wife and I purchased a dresser and crib with the extension pieces. We were told when we purchased them that the delivery estimate is 4-12 weeks. With a due date of March 17th, even worst case scenario of 12 weeks would get us our furniture on February 15th so we made the purchase. You can read my horror story below. Suite Dreams did refund the $65 delivery charge. Apparently causing incredible stress to my wife who is 8 months pregnant is worth about $65.

2/8, 11:05 AM: Called to get an update on delivery date. Was told they would check and would call me back. 2/12, 1:05 PM: After not getting a return call, called again to get an update on delivery date. I was told that they would check and would call me back by the end of the day. 2/14, 11:45 AM: After once again not getting a return call, I stopped into Suite Dreams and spoke with Lisa. She said she would check on delivery date and call me back. Asked her to check while I waited. She went in the back and returned a few minutes later. She said that the person she needed to speak to was at lunch, but that she would call me with an update by the end of the day. 2/14, 5:51 PM: Received a call from Lisa. She said that crib had not been processed at facility, but she would let me know just as soon as she had an update. 2/25, 11:12 AM: Called Suite Dreams as I had not heard anything in 11 days and we were now 10 days past the latest estimate time of 12 weeks. Was told that they would check on status of furniture and would call me right back. 2/25, 12:57 PM: Lisa called and said that furniture is at the facility, ready to be shipped. She did not know when it would arrive, but said that she would call me by the end of the day to give me a delivery date. 2/26, 10:12 AM: Received a call from Lisa at Suite Dreams as I was driving to store because she had failed to call me on the 25th as promised. She said that furniture was shipped and should arrive by Friday the 28th or Monday the 3rd at the latest. Scheduled delivery between 4:00-8:00 on Wednesday the 5th. 3/4, 5:10 PM: Received a phone call from Lisa at Suite Dreams telling me that furniture is in Rock Island, IL and might not be in Des Moines for delivery. She said that she would keep me posted. 3/4, 5:19 PM: Hit my breaking point. I called Suite Dreams and got into a heated conversation with Lisa. She advised that 4-12 weeks is just an estimate. I explained that I understood that, but when you quote someone 4-12 as an estimate, a reasonable person wouldn't expect it to be 15 weeks or beyond. Advised that I expect my furniture on my delivery date of the 5th or I want my money back. 3/5, 10:26 AM: Received a call from Lisa at Suite Dreams saying that the furniture was in Ankeny and would be delivered between 3:00-4:00. 3/5, 3:04 PM: Crib and dresser arrived. Still no idea when the extension rails will be here. I'm hoping that we get them before we need...

I wish I could give this place zero stars. Where to start...

The good... my wife and I just hosted our baby shower here this last weekend and the venue it's self was able to completely transformed into my wife's dream "coffee" themed baby shower. Lisa, the owner, was accommodating to share a set of scissors while we were setting up.

The bad... We had roughly ~55 people in the space, we're a young couple with young friends and family that traveled several hours to attend our baby shower, we wanted soft music and a microphone to host games, and share thank you's and constructively disrupt side conversations to focus attention on what's happening. 3 different times, Lisa came up and complained about our microphone and we reduced the volume several times and she still complained. There's nothing in our venue use contract about speakers My guests were uncomfortable even walking on the loft because the wood flooring is in questionable condition at best and there are some uneven gaps on the loft floor that you can see through with ease to the lower level.

The Ugly... Throughout what was supposed to be the celebration for my first born child I got to hear constant complaints about Lisa, the owner and her Partner speaking to them in a condescending manner, poor body language, and just rude, unnecessary comments. Towards the end of the shower, my aunt asked for the paid of scissors back to quietly deflate the balloons by cutting the balloon at the tie, since for the past several hours Lisa complained about noise. When the balloon didn't cut with the scissors Lisa, very condescendingly stated "well they cut paper just fine" and then had the audacity to try and hand out 20% off merch coupons to my guests (while this was pre-approved, read the room)

I confronted Lisa at the end of the shower sharing how frustrated my wife and I were with the experience and she poorly defended her behavior with "I've been doing this 8 years, I know how this is supposed to work" When confronted about her condescension and bringing her comments to light as unprofessional and complete unnecessary "well they do cut paper just fine". She blamed my baby shower on her loss of business when really, her prices were 30% higher than the next leading retailer with similar quality.

I strongly believe since my wife and I decided not to place a nursery furniture order to the tune of $1,700 with this retailer (we got a comparable set for less than half the price) she wanted us in and out without a peep. Unfortunately, I believe in business taking ownership for their pitfalls. I will never support this business, I will never recommend anyone support this business. I will be reaching out to the Windsor Heights Fire Department as per my previous comments, The loft needs to be reviewed by the Fire Marshall and an official capacity statement needs to be posted. All in all, truly words cannot express my...