Cheyne Awning & Sign Co

In spring 2004 my mother in law, despite my objections, placed an order for an awning with Cheyne Awning & Sign Company. I had found another company that I thought would better suit her needs and I had also heard terrible reports regarding this company. She met with Mr Harrington, who told her he could have her awning ready in as little as 3 weeks, he also required a $1500.00 deposit. After several weeks had come and gone, many calls placed to Cheyne Awning with no return calls, no response, my mother in law became very anxious, copy of cashed check in hand, she placed a call to me. I resumed the task of trying to get thru via phone to anyone at Cheyne Awning who could provide me with some information as to when my mother in law would receive her awning. To no avail. In spring 2005, I finally received a response from Cheyne Awning as to when we could expect said awning. I went there personally! I met with the seamstress herself. I explained who I was, and why I was there and told her how disappointed with their services and that I wanted a refund. Tammy explained she was new there, she searched thru her log of awnings that were to made in the next week or 2 and did not find my mother in laws awning anywhere in the list. She told me she would do all she could to order the fabric and get our awning on the priority list. 2 weeks later my mother in law received her awning. I kept in touch with the Tammy for those 2 weeks, I spoke with her at least every 3rd day, she was pleasant, sincere and as promised she made sure my mother in laws awning was finished. Now the awning needs repair. It was torn while we put it up last weekend. Because the awning material, supposedly has a guarantee, I called Cheyne, asked to speak with Tammy to see if she could make the repairs. Sadly, she no longer works there, I refuse to have them make repairs. It may take a year just to repair a 4 inch tear! I wish I had asked for the seamstresses home phone number.If you need or want an awning, I advise you - GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!

Posted 05/01/08 | Report Abuse

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In the summer of 2006, several of our neighbors contacted us to see if we were interested in getting a group quote on having Awnings installed over our Condominium decks.We were anxious to do so and one of our neighbors made several inquiries and got a couple of quotes. We all agreed (four neighbors) to go with Cheyne Awning and Sign Co. of Pittsfield. Mr. T.J. Harringan, owner, informed us that, with a 50% deposit he could save us money and time by pre-ordering the hardware for the installation. We agreed and on September 6, 2006, we wrote Cheyne Awning Co. a check for $1,623.20. We were told then by Mr. Harrigan that we could wait until Spring to choose the exact fabric.As Spring approached, we made numerous calls to both his office phone and cell phones with no response to our request for the fabric catalog. In mid-June, when his employees were installing our next door neighbors awnings, I personally requested and received the following day the fabric-selection Catalog from one of his employees.I called that same day (mid-June) with our choice. Weeks went by with no action. I received a call in response to one of my many calls finally in early-to-mid July from the fabric server verifying that she had the correct information and fabric. I confirmed that what she had was correct and she told me that the awning would be ready shortly. Several weeks later while Mr. Harrigan and his crew were installing a second neighbor's awning, he came to our deck where we were sitting, and introduced himself. He was happy that we had a very good friend, his Mother-in-law (our realtor on three real estate sales) in common and assured us we could expect installation "very soon." The remainder of July and August and the entire fall season went by with no action on his part. I placed well over 50 phone calls to his cell and office numbers. On several occasions I reached a live person in his office. Her comments were "I'll give him your message." No other explanations to my inquiries or the whereabouts of Mr. Harrigan.On November 6, 2007, (now over one-year later,) we wrote Mr. Harrigan a letter requesting a return of our deposit. Again, no action. Continued calls to his office brought and continue to bring no response. We have asked for help from several people who know Mr. Harrigan, to no avail.In the Spring of 2007, I was diagnosed with a terminal non-curable Cancer. The awning would have been a help in recuperating from my chemo therapy.
I would like our deposit back immediately to end this nightmare.

Posted 01/10/08 | Report Abuse

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There are many good companies out there. This is not one of them. You may be required to make a sizable down payment to wait up to a year for an awning. And God forbid your awning be stored for you by this company, they may lose it and have to make you a new one! If you call them to get details regarding information on your awning you will get 3 different stories from 3 differnet people. One will say the your order is on the cutting table, another will say it is on the order sheet, then the seamstress herself will say, she has never heard of you, you are not on her order sheet, your fabric has not yet been ordered and she will do her best do get it thru. And she did, I had my awning in a week after speaking with her. By the way, what happened to that girl she was very nice, well spoken and honest. My awning is is need of repair and I would like to call her and see if she works out of her home to do the repair for me, if only I could remember her name... When the guys finally did show with my awning I could smell alcohol on them, I believe they drink on the job. This is no way to run a business. I am a very disatisfied customer.

Posted 11/23/07 | Report Abuse

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