A dream deferred

COMPLAINT: Janet Biermann, Ann Arbor, Mich.

"Dreammakers Bath and Kitchen of Ann Arbor met me at my house, measured and listened to my requests regarding a kitchen redesign. They required me to visit their showroom to review cabinets, floors, etc. On a third trip, they required me to sign a design agreement and pay $750 before they gave a quote, then scheduled a fourth meeting to review their design.

"At this meeting, they gave me a 'redesign' that minimally changed the kitchen layout. They gave a quote of $48,000 — 20 percent over what I said was my absolute ceiling of $40,000. They refused to provide any work or product itemization, which would have allowed me to decide where to cut corners. Instead, I had to make guesses.

"They gave me another quote of $42,000 — still in excess of my ceiling. They never gave me a design within my specified parameters."

DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I want the $750 design fee refunded."

STATUS: Penalty Box

Whose lifetime?

COMPLAINT: Ruth Lougen, Troy, Mich.

"Buy-Rite Window Corp. replaced nine windows and a doorwall in my home. They did the work in 1991 but it had a lifetime warranty. I contacted them to replace the rollers on the doorwall and repair broken window seals.

"They told me I would have to pay $135, even though the lifetime warranty covers all service and repairs. They've set dates but never showed up. The warranty was lifetime for all service and repairs and they haven't honored it."

DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I want them to repair or replace the doorwall rollers and broken window seals."

STATUS: Penalty Box