"BEWARE: Design Cafe is SCAM!! "

This is to Shezan Bhojani, we are suffering terribly choosing DC!!! The designer Uthra Sheshadri (not sure if she is an actual designer) but she is of no use!!! She wasted 3 months just by doing some random meetings with no much inputs of her own! The day we had to select the laminations, it was just a table heaped with some random laminations which she kept struggling with! Why can't a company have an organised catalogue when simple carpenters do??? How can you expect us to select fish out from a messed up table??? Very unprofessional!

The carpenter Akash Patil has installed loft and top cupboards which isn't the same size we decided on. They are shallow and looks so awkward!!! The team screwed up our water pipe while fixing and did not have the decency to get that fixed! Instead they just removed the pipe and let the vanity to get flooded with water!!! Who is going to pay for all the damages caused by DC??? I am not!

They urge the customers to pay 100,% before we even see the structure and then they do a shawdy work!!! The structures are flimsy and would not even go for a year!!!! All this for such an exorbitant price!!! I have reached out to care@dc and of no help!!! These people from QC call for the sake of calling and don't do anything to fix the grievances! Then why call??? Such a scam this company! I am going to spread the word on social media and to the my entire Amazon community to not choose DC ever!!!

I will take this to consumer court in order to get this fixed! I am not going to keep quiet about this!!! Don't think you guys can get away by scamming people and running a fraud adjacent company! If nothing is done immediately within 24 hours, I will file a criminal complaint for criminal breach of trust and cheating under section 406 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code.

"Design Cafe Experience - The journey of torture"

I am sharing my experience with Design Cafe in the hope that others can avoid the dissatisfaction and financial loss, and don't have to endure the same pain and frustration that I did.

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.

Few 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) 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.

4) 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.

5) Other Issues:
i) Added additional items to invoice without informing us, which were not delivered.
ii) Liars: Despite knowing that changes on site to the dressing unit will nullify the warranty and make it highly unstable, they failed to inform us. The unit was eventually returned, but no compensation was received whatsoever.

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 can differ for individuals. 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.

"Pathetic Execution.......If you need pain hire them"

We were impressed with the design and the way the sale team pitched. However during the execution phase there was a lot of followup required. We had to be on our Toes to ensure that right thing come and they don't do mistakes. Few thing they insist are standard however they are not convinient. When we asked to change we are given standard answer that they are as per drawings. There is no coordination from the designer once they hand over to execution team. There is no ownership at all and end to end the experience is very very very bad. They have given me a dresser unit which look very bad and when we asked them to correct, they say its as per approved 2D design. The 2D design is very technical, we typically see the 3D and renders. The 2D there are mistakes and if you are not careful then you can be taken for ride when executing the project. There is absolutely no redressal mechanism in the system. You are pushed for resolution from one team to another without any hope that it will get resolve. The laminate and side panel were not as per design. The drawer alignment is bad and is not working. We have escalated multiple time but of no use. Ultimately, we had to hire our own carperters and get the rectifications done. Will not recommend anyone to hire them.

"We went with Design cafe for our…"

We went with Design cafe for our interiors after visiting their experience center in Bangalore. We were quite impressed with some of the creative designing done. The designer we initially spoke to before onboarding changed and we were assigned a new designer as soon as we signed up. The new designer was extremely incapable which we realised after the implementation started and we had paid the full amount. The designer delayed took about 4 months to complete the design and send to production. We always heard reasons that it was stuck in approvals and paper work. The final signoff documents sent to us was done by an intern and was loaded with errors. we had send back the documents multiple times for corrections. After all this, the production got delayed and they told us it was sent back as it failed quality check. As per their manager, 70% of it had failed quality checks. So we had more delays. Once the products came we realised most of the laminates were wrong. The designer had mixed up most of the colors of the Laminates. The design also was wrong in many places. we have an inch gap in the wardrobe doors due to poor design. We could not install chandeliers as we had a badly designed false ceilings which would not take the weight of the chandeliers. The designers had no idea of all this. Technically the designer was very inexperienced. I only heard reasons that, the system does not support this for anything asked.
We took the handover with most of the faults. the wrong laminates, the wardrobe doors not closing correctly. Escalations also dont work.
They do nothing. Please be careful if you are going with the designer Smitha in Design Cafe. She is extremely incapable.

"Stay Away!"

don't normally post negative reviews... but this one deserves one.
Design cafe is probably the worst company I have worked with as a customer and recommend you avoid it completely.
I had three projects ongoing with different vendors and different approaches and Design cafewas the poorest in all areas design, production, customer service and project coordination.
Their processes is not suited for retrofit of house. They are not customer centric, their design sub par and options for customisation very limited. We got more No's than Yes even for simple things. When we asked for a refund of amount within a couple of days of just design discussion they refused. As I had paid an upfront, I continued with a subset of work in that project which involved creating a few cupboards in one bedroom/bathroom.
After taking an abnormal amount of time (compared to other vendors/project), they came with missing pieces, wrong designs and poor coordination. Worst part is they wouldn't take responsibility for any of this even though I have sufficient documentation of same.

Stay Away!

"Too many levels & a very bureaucratic…"

Too many levels & a very bureaucratic set up. We were really left wondering whom to approach. Although a whatsapp group was made at the start, no one ever responded on that group. selected laminates were not sent & since they take money in advance, customers can hardly do anything.

The paint work is shoddy, mirrors are coming off & all of this in just under 6 months from handover.

Complaints & emails go unanswered. No one is bothered to repair or rectify their mistakes.

The indifference by the staff is appalling.

Hiring design cafe is totally wasting your money.

"Extremely BAD"

Extremely BAD. Don't go with them. Took 100% money and what I got in return is incorrect material, incorrect laminates, shoddy work for the modular kitchen. The drawers/ cabinets for modular kitchen clash when opened. Glossy laminates used where matt was approved, poor quality paint (has air bubbles). Following up with them for more than 6 weeks to complete the remaining work but no one is really bothered. QC team made a report however no one bothers to contact to fix the issues which were noted. Two teams came to fix the modular issues, each re-drilled new holes but could not solve the issues and say you will have to live with it. Till date pending work is not completed. Designer, PM and the Office managers too not bothered to attend your complaints. These are real cheats. Drawing shows one size, they supply smaller size drawers to optimise profit. When discussed, designer says discuss with modular team. Be cautious with these cheaters and be prepared to go through the pain in case if you decide to go with Design Cafe. Made a big mistake. I can share the transcripts of all the communication and calls which I made and no response from them.

"The worst experience we are having with…"

The worst experience we are having with this company, poor designers, poor workers, poor quality, making the project delayed . 6 months it’s been they didn’t finish the work so far, every little thing is a big deal, they didn’t bring the correct measurements for cupboards lot of gaps covering it. For every little thing they ask to get external vendors, even the problem is with their design and their cupboards. They ask to pay us more for the things they are responsible, .

"No proper communication"

No proper communication

No idea when I will get the handover

I signed agreement on sept still waiting my work to be finished

The designer gave the plan after finalizing everything and completing 90% job the project manage the product is not available and it will come in May, the mechanism is suppose to come from outside

I am frustrated with whole experience with design cafe

No one picks the call

Chandan project manager took extra cash from stating he need to give to worker and he will return my money but it's been 10-15 days he is gave all lame reason that he don't have network to return my money.

Highly unprofessional team

I beg u guys plz dont get into the trap of these guys.

My team members were

Sales Person - Richa - after closing the sales never bother

Designer - Afshan - No coordination between her team and her design. Initially just to show the lesser quote she will not consider so many thing even after proper discussion and give u lesser quote compare with other competition and once u paid the some money they will show their original face. just for information. My initial Quote was 4.5 Lack the acctual came as 5.6 Lack and many other work is pending and they said I need to pay extra for those thing

U cant even raise the ticket bz they have build the system that u can not submit ur concern in their tool

"Pathetic service"

Pathetic service. Totally non responsive and non committal. Lack creativity. You have to run after them to get something out of them...please dont go with design cafe