apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Boconcept = overpriced IKEA. But with really bad customer service.

I was walking through Bo Concepts in Georgetown last year with an architect friend who was telling me about their horrific customer service. At that moment, literally, we heard a salesman on the floor yelling at a customer that he didn't care that the sofa wasn't delivered on the day it was promised; that it was out of his (the salesman's) control.

Another friend ordered a credenza and it took three months to have it delivered, even though they promised 2-4 weeks. And when it arrived, the doors were broken.

As for the overpriced DWR sofas - you can get sofas comparably priced to Bo Concept if you're willing to wait for a sale.

Ive purchased a number of Bo Concept pieces lately and was very happy with the whole process from ordering to delivery. Its very easy but somewhat unfair to compare the products to IKEA. Personally, I think the quality is much better but may be not in relation to the higher price tags.

Having worked retail for 10 years of my working life, I hardly ever give a store a terrible review, because I know how hard it is to run a store. However...I have to say, I don't get this place at all. It's not much cheaper than DWR and the designs and quality are just a shade better than Ikea. BORING. I've been in the store in Santa Monica twice and both times, the sales people seemed annoyed with me for asking a question and then not immediately buying a lamp.

Fortunately, DWR is literally right next door and I got my Icon Pendant lamp with a minimum of fuss and attitude.

I think Bo wins on concept, but falls somewhat short on execution. Great design but cheap materials and build quality. But I suppose you could say the same thing about West Elm and cb2...

I should have pointed out that my experience was not with the Bo Concept store in Santa Monica but through an authorized retailer.

I agree that the concept of this place falls short of the reality. But to me, the bigger issue is really short lifespan of this stuff. I make furniture for a living, so I pay attention to how it's built. It is similar to ikea in terms of construction. It is well made enough to hold together until you move to a new apartment. Then you will probably throw it away and get a new piece to take its place. The environmentalist in me screams. All those wasted trees for something that wont even last a decade. I like Thomas Moser's philosophy. If you make it out of a walnut tree that was 150 years old, make the piece strong enough to last 150 years.

"Overpriced Ikea" was my exact thought the minute I walked into their DUMBO showroom. Everything looked great in the photos until you looked at the product up close. A dresser for $1,000 that you have to assemble? Really?

There is a showroom in Cambridge, MA (btwn Central Square & Harvard Square). I have only bought little items like picture frames and and an ash tray (I don't even smoke or allow people to smoke in my apartment, just thought it was pretty). My awesomely huge, chunky, and heavy red ashtray was fabulous until the red paint on the bottom began to chip. So I systematically chipped of the rest of it... it is now a huge, chunky, and heavy clear ashtray.... eh.

Horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible salespeople at the DUMBO one. I will never, ever, ever go back there.

Very unprofessional. Limited english. Time wasters. I won't go back.

Is "hate" too strong a phrase. We bought furniture from them and it was a nightmare beginning to end. The customer service is horrific and the furniture is low quality.

design is clean/chic, but not worth the headache and trouble. Customer service is horrific, as most everyone has commented. the worst of the worst. they dont care for you especially once the order is placed. You can't back out or there's a 40% restocking fee. Not even if you haven't received the item. manager is rude and knows NOTHING about customer service.

I've walked through the store a couple of times and was more interested in their design when I had only seen their products on the web.
I think i'm over the blocky modern style.

Wow. I'm glad I read this post. I've been looking at some of their stuff online thinking I should stop by and see what it's like in person. But if they're a nightmare customer service wise, forget it. Too many people with the same tale spells trouble.

The Bo Concept in Cambridge has the rudest and most unprofessional staff I've come across. When we asked about some of the furniture, the salesperson kept insisting that only people of style could appreciate it. And as we were leaving without buying anything, the other sales people behind the counter sneered at us for no apparent reason. Very strange behavior for a store that has several competitors almost next door, including DWR and Crate & Barrel. I wouldn't be surprised if the store closes soon.

Funny, I have been coveting a fold-down couch from there and have been searching for one on Craigslist. People on craigslist want almost the asking price for one in the store, I wonder if this is because if you buy one used you get to skip the long wait and rude customer service?!

My bedroom set took three months to arrive. The headboard was broken and the dresser drawers did not match color. It took awhile, but I got both replaced. Customer service never resoponded to my emails.

Having walked through the Santa Monica store on a number of occasions, I cannot imagine a circumstance where I would buy anything at Bo Concept. There are much better alternatives in the same style and price point.

BUYER BEWARE!!!!

We placed a customer order 3 mos ago with a promised delivery of 2-3 weeks which they later changed to 3-6 weeks after they received our order and PAYMENT. I have personally made daily calls to both the Salesman and Victor in accounting to get an update on when we will receive our customers shipment which is now 1 month past due. The bottom line I have come to discover from several sources is that the franchise has not paid their bills and our order is sitting in NJ and will not ship until they receive payment from the franchise. Victor, who handles the payments, told me on numerous occasions that he would be wiring the money, but to no avail. Our only recourse at this point is to cancel the order and get a bed for our customer elsewhere. It's unfortunate, because they do appear to have good products but they doesn’t overcome poor management.

I ordered floating shelves from BoConcept in Santa Monica in late June and was assured they would arrive by the third week in July. I just received a letter from BoConcept USA saying that my order has not been filled because the Santa Monica store did not send them the money I had paid for the shelves. Basically, BoConcept USA tells me I'm on my own about this and should "pursue your rights against the sore owners by contacting the authorities listed above." The "authorities" include the LA District Attorney's office. Comforting. I cannot believe the parent company is not standing by the customer. Needless to say, dealing with BoConcept is clearly a case of buyer beware. Wish I'd known what poor business practices BoConcept USA engages in before starting down this road.

Just wanted to put the word out before anyone else decides to put their money and/or trust in BoConcept.

ella in socal

URGENT WARNING

If you are fraud victim

If anybody payed for a furniture From BoConcept in Santa Monica (floor samples etc) before store closing 09/16/09 and never got it delivered
CONTACT OFFICE OF CITY ATTORNEY in City Hlall Santa Monica custumer protection unit 1685 Main street room 310.Tel # 310-458-8336.
Bring all the reseipts,documents to support your claim.
Also contact corporate office in NJ (201)793-8493