I am sharing my experience with Design Cafe in the hope that others can avoid the same dissatisfaction and financial loss. By sharing the complete details of my experience, I aim to prevent others from enduring the same pain and frustration.
1) Designers and the problems:
Design Cafe is lacking in one major area: its designers. They are inexperienced and arrogant, as you will see when the furniture is installed. Our initial discussions with the designer were positive, but once the furniture was delivered and installation began, numerous design errors were apparent. When we brought these issues to the designer’s attention, she shifted the blame to us and refused to acknowledge the mistakes.
Some design problems:
-> Wall unit storage was installed just above the toilet seat, resulting in head injury if you are over 5 feet tall.
-> A bookshelf was designed that was 1.5 feet deep in a small 2 BHK, despite our request to reduce it. We later discovered that a smaller size was available but were not informed by the designer. We had to get a part of it during installation, otherwise it would hit the person working on the desk while getting up.
-> Dressing unit with an inbuilt bedside table was imbalanced and unstable.
-> Crockery unit was designed to be as deep as a baby swimming pool, which was not suitable for a small 2 BHK with limited space.
2) Measurement issues:
Multiple teams took measurements, but mistakes were still made. For example,
-> Wall shelves were much larger than expected and would hit your head while moving around the room
-> The bathroom vanity unit was cut on site, requiring us to pay extra
-> They also suggested shifting power points unnecessarily, causing inconvenience. Some of those were not needed even as per the carpenters, and we didn’t shift them using common sense.
3) Space unconscious:
We informed the design cafe of the smaller size of our 2BHK and asked for space-efficient furniture. However, it seems their priority was to maximise profits rather than optimising the design for our limited space. We returned some items that were not suitable and were surprised to receive no refund. A reputable furniture company should not charge customers for furniture that doesn’t fit their space after it has been returned.
4) Kids unfriendly:
Beware of furniture with sharp edges(beds, wardrobes, some door handles) that are different from what was promised in the design phase with soft edges. If you’re seeking rounded edges that are more kid-friendly, they’re not available. Only purchase designs that can be seen and tested at the experience centres to avoid disappointment.
5) Communication Issues:
Adding extras items to invoices without informing:
There were multiple invoices being generated due to recommendations from the designer. Initially we were happy the way things were getting added as per requirements. However, on the final invoices, some items were added without informing us, and they were not easily noticeable. This led to a situation where we realised they had been charged for items they never ordered. Refunds were eventually received, but only after a long process.
Liars:
I ordered a dressing unit with a side table, but it arrived without the proper cut for the side table. The designer and measurement team promised that there would be no problems if the cut was made, but later I learned that this invalidated the warranty and made the unit unstable. Despite knowing this, the designers failed to inform us. The unit was eventually returned, but no compensation was received whatsoever.
Missing orders:
Lastly, some additional items ordered were not delivered, and the company refused to issue refunds. Lesson that I learnt was not to pay the full amount until all the work is complete, as getting money back from the design cafe has proven to be a nightmare. And companies like the design cafe understand that, so they charge full money before even starting working on the furniture.
6) No Accountability:
During the installation of the TV unit, the design cafe team damaged an internal wire while drilling, causing a loss of TV connection. Despite multiple attempts to contact them for resolution, no action was taken. I was ultimately forced to pay a professional electrician 2-3k to fix the issue.
The designer at the cafe also recommended additional POP work outside of their services, which we agreed to considering her expertise in this area. However, the vendor was unprofessional and the work was completed haphazardly in multiple visits, leaving little room for electrical work. It was later discovered that the designer received a substantial commission for the recommendation, which was her true intention. The design cafe acknowledged this type of behaviour is common, but refused to take responsibility for any issues.
7) Payment trap:
Design Cafe has four payment slabs(5%, 15%, 35% and 45%). However, customisation options decrease as you make payments, and dimensions are fixed. Designers are not focused on your project’s needs and will not explain the dimensions adequately. They will also not tolerate any delays from your side in making payments but have no problem with delays from theirs in every phase.
8) Delays:
The entire process took over 3 months before delivery and 3 weeks for installation, which was far from "hassle-free." Furniture was delivered late at night without prior notice, and unloading finished around 1pm, causing inconvenience for our family.
9) Conclusion:
Bottom line, never trust the design cafe. Their interest will not align with yours. All they care about is how much money they can get out of you, especially during later stages of the project once you start making payments.They will drain your resources in both money and time. Even if the furniture is useless to you and you give it back, there’s absolutely no refund.
Either go for a good rated local furniture manufacturer, who will work hard to match your expectations, and may go above and beyond, or a highly rated online brand who cares about their public image, and thus their customers.
I understand that experience could be different for different individuals, as they would have interacted with different individuals at the design cafe. However, based on my painful experience with the design cafe pune, I highly suggest exploring other options as relying on Design Cafe may lead to a lifetime of disappointment.