This might be a bit far fetched, but you could put curtains up to cover them at night. I know that's not what you want to do, but it would hide the problem when it's at it's worst.

That's why I don't buy wood blinds. If they don't match your trim, it sticks out like a sore thumb.

Try different types of lighting in your room to see if you can dampen the "stand out" night effect. Warm LED, incandescent, perhaps a change out might help. So sorry this has happened and so sad EA won't help.

I think if you have EA order some paint and have a painter just paint the window frame it will align it all together.

It will probablay be fine. I have seen lots of shutters and have never noticed a paint difference. Finish designing the room and I think the disparity will be less noticable or disapperar completely.

I agree with soosun, it would be easier to paint the wood trim to match the blinds. Bring the blinds to your paint store and they can match the color.

Painting the window trim will not be as noticeable as you think. Depending where your window is, but most likely it will not be no more than three inches away from your trim. If there is a big gap between the window trim and the trim, you will not notice that they are different colors. No one is looking closely at your trim color and critiquing.

Painting is definitely an option, was even thinking of painting just the wood valance just above the blinds to match the trim. EA won't do anything about it Jan Moyer. I have tried! I talked to the district manager, she says that once their custom ordered and installed there is nothing they can do. She even blamed me for making the choice. We have actually been customers of EA for years and never had a problem. I told her I would like to continue to be a customer, but not after this. They are not accepting responsibility at all!

I don't give up easily. I have eaten more than my share of mistakes , it is business goodwill, and a cost of doing business, and the best way to make a mistake go away is to fix it as quickly as possible. Here is the link to EA corporate headquarters, names etc. I would copy the "universe", describe the problem. My bet is you come out on top of this. You asked for guidance, they sent an "expert", your trust was misplaced, and more so as they will not stand behind their error! A color mistake is no different than a measuring error / a blind that won't fit a window. Here is the link. Be brave. When the entire board reads it, there's going to be a certain district manager getting a call that basically says......."fix it". That's my bet. You'll have to google addresses for the board members : ) God bless the internet. If I am wrong...I will buy you lunch.

https://materials.proxyvote.com/Approved/297602/20110920/AR_102955/PDF/ethan_allen-ar2011_0081.pdf

How nice of Jan Moyer to provide the EA Corporate HQ contact. That is precisely whom to contact buttressed by pictures and of course, original contract with name of EA purveyor. Good luck and thanks from us all Ms. Moyer.

In addition to Jan's very wise advice, I'll add that as much as Ethan Allen or any seller may choose to act like a brick wall, when you have the facts and law on your side, and they're intransigent in expecting you to absorb their error, you can always bring them into court.

Wow! It's so nice to have all of this advice from you all! Yes, You've got it! I am afraid, this is a big corporation and the DM did act like a brick wall. Thank you, Jan Moyer, for the link! I think I will give it a try! I just can stand the thought of the money I put in to these blinds and how awful I feel every time I look at them! I will keep you all posted on the outcome!

file:///Users/kimberlybaucom/Pictures/Photos%20Library.photoslibrary/Thumbnails/2015/10/04/20151004-143848/EpogKTy+TNGOSqPafdZx9A/thumb_IMG_4252_1024.jpg

Write a very nice, polite letter to the senior person in the company calming explaining what happened. Don't be insulting to their staff or anything that will put them off. Tell them you know they're a respectable company which is why you've done business with them all these years, and that you're disappointed at how this has been handled. Ask them what further steps you need to take to get this issue resolved to your satisfaction. If you like the blinds, throw in a few comments such as 'I've told all my friends what high quality blinds they are,' 'I've had several compliments on the blinds,' etc., etc. to demonstrate that you like their products and are worth keeping as a customer.

One thing I've learned in life is that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Well I have learned something today! I do hope you get the results that you want, and truthfully if it were me my blood would be boiling at this point.

Thankfully you can get things resolved with a reasonable expectation. Jan Moyer is correct, a mistake was made and someone not you needs to correct it. Let us know how things move along.

@Kimberly

Don't be afraid, a big company is no different than any other, there are no Ethan Allen Police and as a company it just has more layers of indians and chiefs. Be polite.... but my personal belief is that the four "best" words in the kings english are ( after the best two which are: I'm sorry, and thank you ) "I am so disappointed". Just like when you use them on a spouse, or kids.....they are absolute flatteners. They convey all the displeasure....with a big ouch, if you're on the receiving end .

They are accurate, and they are true. You're disappointed the color is wrong, they ruin the look of your windows every time you glance at them. You were equally disappointed in how the refusal to replace was handled, which was perhaps worst of all, since you were verbally shamed for "your mistake" which was not your mistake. Most important, this design skill set they tout, was not a skill as it applied to the advice you received.

Pay NO compliments, especially regarding the blinds.... you CAN do it. :)

PS My first career was retail....the wise store owner said "It's not how you make the sale that says who you are, it's how you take the RETURN that says it all"

Just letting you all know, I wrote an email to the CEO of Ethan Allen, to which I got a response by receiving a call from the district manager. She was forwarded the email, and wanted to know how she can take care of the situation. As I politely told her, I wanted blinds that match my trim, I was still given the brick wall treatment, and was told it would be too expensive for them to fix. So, thank you for all of your advice. I will not let this go. Next move, Better Business Bureau.

I wouldn't waste time with the BBB. At best, they're toothless. I'd go straight to small claims court.

I understand that nobody loves paper anymore. But paper is a powerful thing on occasion, if only because it's becoming rarer! Below is what I would "pen" and print, and mail to the CEO, and I would include as many board members as I could find a contract for.

Dear What's his Face,

Thank you for taking the time to read my email dated _____. I was contacted by your district manager Ms _____ who asked how she could resolve a problem that has but one solution. My blinds are incorrect for my home. The faith placed in Ethan Allen for design help in choosing a white for these, was misplaced. I was told "it was too expensive" (thus impossible) for EA to correct the issue. Which leads to my next question:

How "expensive" is this mistake for me? The answer I believe is that it is of considerably more consequence for me, than Ethan Allen. I would assume that you did not sell me blinds at a profit of zero. I would also assume that a large mistake made by one of your design professionals, would be something you'd want to correct to a customers satisfaction, thus I am still very disappointed not only in my blinds, but the non existent solution to my problem.

I regret to inform you I have filed a claim in Small Claims Court, (Location) as of (date)

Sincerely ___________

OR......if you simply detest the idea of legal recourse, and below may end up being the resolution in a legal scenario anyway. Depends your constitution for battle.

I propose a split of the Ethan Allen cost of new blinds. I will arrange the pick up of the blinds from store_____. I will arrange for the install of the new blinds. PLease advise if this solution is acceptable to you, I would like a resolution as soon as possible. I was advised incorrectly for color; I will accept I signed for the choice with misplaced faith. It seems a split of the "responsibility" in the least damaging method to both the deeper pockets of Ethan Allen and my much shallower pockets would be in order.

( Note on this suggestion: Yes.....it will cost you. But let's assume in round numbers that all the blinds cost you 3000.00 to use a number. Lets assume a profit of 40% for Ethan Allen before the install at your home. So the blinds cost Ethan Allen 1800.00 in that math scenario, and you'd be offering to pay 900.00. You do lose 900.00, and you have to pick them up and arrange install, but that may be something you can have hubby do, the holes are drilled. Ethan Allen has actually not "lost" a thing, they have simply made less profit.Is it fair? NO!! But it may in the long term be better than blinds you hate.)

Moxiemom

I think I already owe Kimberly a decent LUNCH : ) ! But I am a dog with a bone and I simply would not give up until there is some resolution. I say that as one who just lost nearly a week of productivity, stomping out fires and mistakes that were in no way my mistake/ fault, nor that of the client, but shipping, defects, and on and on!! The answer is always.....Fix. The. Darn .Problem. WAH! Just FIX it.

Did you charge them? Dispute the charge with your credit card company as you were mislead about the color. That will get EA's attention.

Interesting idea bichonbabde. Didn't think that would even be possible.

Jan, I am amazed at your energy and effort you put into that letter! Great idea, thank you! I have sent a second email to the CEO detailing the conversation I had with the DM, and feeling like I am still at square one. You give great advice! Thank you, again!

It has worked for me in the past.

Commenting to follow along. Hopefully to hear of a satisfied outcome.

I think EA will cave; they should! But business is business and I think you are doing the right thing to bring attention to this matter that no one at EA wants to take responsibility for.

As a very last last resort, can EA have the widowws trim that the blinds are hanging on painted out?

I would also graciously walk into EA and ask to see the manager and explain the problem that the DM is ignoring and ask if there is anymore recourse the manager could think of. I think people who make a mistake should suffer a little bit too with public shaming when they mis step. To ignore is insulting where compromise is respectful. Good luck!

PS Can they give you the same paint that was used on the blinds and then you can have the framing window trim painted and send them the bill? Also would they give you a store credit; I have sold furniture and it isn't fun when the customer is unhappy after the furniture arrives.....but.....sometimes the store has to eat it or at least try and make the customer happy. And EA does take things back; that is why they have that back room of stuff that is on sale inexpensively!

What about mediation?

Kimberly,

I write all the time..that's half the fun of "houzzing" with coffee in the morning when I should be doing something else despite the habit has gotten me into plenty of trouble (houzz) ! Rarely does anyone want to hear the brutal truth, no matter how kindly it is couched. Do not give up on this problem. All businesses silently pray to the Gods of Mistakes Made... "she will go away...she will give up, is she GONE YET? ..oooohhhhmmmmm" like a darn yoga position chant! Don't you do it. Eventually they will get sick to death of you, and do you care? No you do not. Lord knows, plenty of people are sick to death of me : ) but you do what you must on any clients behalf, as long as you know it is fair and just. This is fair and just. PS, I realize email is easier. Print the email (letter body you sent). Use a stamp. Mail it. Paper is much more powerful. Especially......." I regret to inform you............"

My dad used to always say:"First we have to get your attention." That was the quick/light smack on the tush......

I totally agree!

I had a client who insisted on cranberry pink sofa and love seat......I suggested maybe not so much pink but she had to have it. So it came in and in the meantime a competitor had a cream sofa and love seat on sale and she decided she wanted that at the not so custom price so when the pinks came in she just refused point blank the pieces. My store manager refunded everything happily and we split the set, did new room displays accenting the beautiful pieces but in two very different looks and sold them with in two weeks. Everyone was happy!

Just keep nudging EA as Jan Moyer says....it is only some wood, but YOU are what is important in this and you need to let them know.....everything can be fixed and nicely too.

Any update on your dispute with EA?