Same here, I refused the visit from Chris John once they told me about the visit fee. I think that's normally a bad sign to begin with.

Posted by: frugal1 at March 27, 2009 11:17 PM in response to Electrical

I thought that Amy Ruth's soul food restaurant was opening there at one point. Did I blink and miss the grand opening/grand closing? Or did that deal fall through too?

Posted by: frugal1 at March 12, 2009 9:49 AM in response to Confirmed: Arby's Planning to Take Gage & Tollner Space

nbklyn: that was interesting info! My guy took out his calculator and everything so I figured it would be pointless trying to haggle. If I go with them I'll be sure to remember this...:)
Thanks

Posted by: frugal1 at March 3, 2009 7:37 PM in response to "Empire Today" flooring company?

Many thanks for the recommendations and opinions

Posted by: frugal1 at March 3, 2009 4:47 PM in response to "Empire Today" flooring company?

Thank you PHfamily

Posted by: frugal1 at March 3, 2009 2:21 PM in response to "Empire Today" flooring company?

Great post!
Yes I think that the dictionary .com definition of gentrification is accurate:
the buying and renovation of houses and stores in deteriorated urban neighborhoods by upper- or middle-income families or individuals, thus improving property values but often displacing low-income families and small businesses.

Like it or not this is exactly what happened in Bed-Stuy. And there is a generational divide as to whether these changes are "welcome" or not. I've been in Bed-Stuy for about 15 years (give or take) and I bought my home in the 90's for less than 200k. It has more than tripled in value since then. Sounds great for a homeowner BUT it's terrible for a "working class" young adult that has grown up in the neighborhood but can no longer afford to buy because they are now priced out.

DIBS...instead of the high priced supermarket how about buying that entire strip of Fulton Street (between Troy and Marcus Garvey I believe) where there's nothing but a bunch of homes that have been boarded up for over 15 years. The kids in the nabe have no source of local entertainment. I'm sure a roller skating rink or bowling alley would work wonders (of course, not trying to tell you what to do with your cash :))

Posted by: frugal1 at March 3, 2009 9:39 AM in response to Changes in Bed Stuy

thanks again to all for tips/suggestions

Posted by: frugal1 at February 13, 2009 12:20 AM in response to Can Landmarks Do This?

Thanks mopar. My damage isn't in the main beam but close to it. I have treated for termites/carpenter ants and haven't seen any additional damage.

Have you already selected a vendor and, if so, were you satisfied?

Posted by: frugal1 at February 12, 2009 1:13 PM in response to Beam Repair Anyone?

Thanks to everyone that has chimed in. I guess this isn't going to work out so well for me. When I called Landmarks the lady told me that my home did not have the historic door at the time of designation BUT the door that is present now is not that door.

I'm sure I saved the real estate ads showing the house for sale with the current door before I bought it but it looks like this won't matter with LPC.
I just can't see how this is justified since I didn't install the door and may be able to prove that.

From Vinca's link it appears that I received a warning letter which is giving me a certain amt. of time to legalize the door "or else"

Thank you once again to all.

Posted by: frugal1 at February 10, 2009 12:34 PM in response to Can Landmarks Do This?

I recently had them over to look at a job and I told them that since I wasn't told about this $39.95 fee on the phone, I didn't intend to pay it. They proceeded with their inspection anyhow. This is how they attempt to discover "problems" that they then try to scare you into hiring them to fix. It seems to be a scam that people who don't know what they are talking about fall into. Additionally, their quote for the job which in their estimation would have taken them less than 1 day to complete was over $5K. Thats a pretty good payback on less than a days worth of work for 2 guys.

I am looking elsewhere...

Posted by: pwhite at March 28, 2009 9:49 AM in response to Electrical

I like SuperCharged.

Posted by: Arkady at March 28, 2009 11:04 AM in response to Electrical

Napstar-owner Vinnie Napolitano.

Posted by: bqe1970 at March 30, 2009 8:07 PM in response to Electrical

"That said, in this economy I think the salesman would rather make less of a commission than nothing at all. Remember he is not doing the labor nor will he show up when the workers are there. All he invests in this is gas for transportation and his mouth. Make him give you a good deal."

If a company sends a salesperson instead of a floor person it's a bad sign. It's a waste of their and our time. Like calling Vigilante Plumbing to fix a sink and a salesguy shows up at the appointment with a binder of plans to sell you and not only doesn't know plumbing without looking everything up, he doesn't come with tools so you have to make another appointment for the actual plumber.

That said : ) I would also like some more names of hardwood floor people. We have a job in our brownstone and all of those recommended to us have retired : (

Thanks.

Posted by: jland at June 10, 2009 3:27 PM in response to "Empire Today" flooring company?