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April 20, 2009
Disappointing A&K Tile Store
I have been in the process of renovating my two family brown stone for the course of a year. I recently went to A&K Tile Studio to inquire about a design problem with a few tiles I purchased. The store clerk was not only rude but dismissive. I then heard her speaking to Jerry, the other store clerk, about me and the “consequence” for “buying expensive tile” and not having the money to get a decent contractor to install the tile. The services I employ to complete my work are my concern. However, I would rather travel to Classic Tile in Bay Ridge to not only get better customer service but a price on tile. This is for all other homeowners who want quality, understanding and service: AVOID A&K TILE STUDIO. They are simply not worth the aggravation.
Comments
Mondial always treated us very well.
Posted by: mimi at April 20, 2009 5:10 PM
A&K are the absolute worst...nothing but bad experiences there.
Those people are just awful.
Posted by: CGmodern at April 20, 2009 6:01 PM
They have gotten bad marks on this site. I remember another post which described bad service.
Posted by: donatella at April 20, 2009 11:17 PM
I am finishing up a reno in the South Slope and all my tile came from A&K. Kitchen and bath, two kinds of glass tile, three kinds of floor tile, two kinds of wall tile. Numerous grouts and adhesives. I had no problems with Jennifer and Jerry. Everything delivered on time and as promised.
Maybe you could share exactly what design problem you had that caused them to complain about your contractor?
Some of the complaints about A&K were about non-tile issues such as countertops. I agree, stick to the specialty of the vendor, don't buy stuff they are just going to sub out.
Posted by: denton at April 21, 2009 7:08 AM
I need to come down on the side of A&K as well. I have recommended them to many people, with mostly good results. They are not the cheapest place, but I have found them helpful.
I am not saying that Mistersmooth did not get treated badly, but anytime I have dealt w/ either Jerry or Jennifer they have been very good. I also like that they are local.
As they sub out the counter top work, I would go elsewhere
for that.
Posted by: chmod at April 21, 2009 9:21 AM
I had a similar situation with A&K - they were curt and ill informed about several materials. Their prices were a little high considering that.
I used Classic Tile. They have great prices but they were a little brusk too. But I warmed up to them after spending a few afternoons there picking out every tile in my house.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at April 21, 2009 9:54 AM
You are all correct about A&K, good and bad. Kind of the tile version of the soup Nazi. Bought most of our tile from them and Mondial (we like them too). Jerry is gruff but honest. Gave us good advice and dealt with problems professionally and directly. Later, I tried to help my sister from out of town purchase tile through them. A woman (not Jennifer, I believe) picked the strangest fight with me. She kept interrupting me while I was on the phone with my sister discussing the tile options. When I eventually got mad about it, she started telling me how rude I was, and persisted at it for quite a while and started telling everyone in the store what a rude person I was. Days later, she brought it up again with my sister on the phone and told her how rude I was and how much nicer my brother in law is. Weird, just weird. So, it's a good store, but enter at your own risk.
Posted by: slopefarm at April 21, 2009 9:55 AM
very good .......
Posted by: aaaafj at April 22, 2009 1:55 PM
The A&K Tile Store's inventory is exquiste. A pleasurable part of the home renovation experience has been choosing tile. The inventory isn't the problem. It's the people who are suppose to serve a customer at a tile store who are the problem.
The issue with my tile is secondary to the service I received at A&K Tile Store. Personally, when a store has difficulty serving a customer, they obviously don't have a "customer first policy" and it shows. Eventually it doesn't matter how great the tile or product is if the attitude is piss poor.
It's just like the "soup nazi". You'll get tired of buying soup from someone who doesn't care for your sale. The "soup nazi" opened in Harlem two years ago with the same attitude. He promptly closed.
I was more surprised to discover the amount of people who had similar complaints about the store. I'm glad I'm not imagining this as an isolated incident.
Posted by: Mistersmooth at April 22, 2009 8:51 PM
I have to agree with Mistersmooth. The vibe is completely off at A&K. The inventory is amazing and I was mesmerized by the choices. We have a complete gut renovation to complete and we were ready to buy tile at their store. However, their service is bizarre. Right away the clerk started making assumptions about our status and our income and whether or not we could afford their tile. The bottom line-I just didn't feel comfortable in that store and didn't like dealing with their clerks.
Posted by: hustlewoman at April 24, 2009 12:42 PM
Side note--we ended up going to Classic Tile. Service was great, tile turned out fabulous and enjoyed the espresso that they served up for us.
Posted by: hustlewoman at April 24, 2009 12:43 PM
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