Clark Fine Furniture

I’m here to tell you about my experience working with John Clark, alleged furniture maker. Today is March 12, 2019. I commissioned a desk from John back in March of 2016. We went through a design, I chose the material (oak) and he then collected a $1,300 deposit. We had a signed contract, completion date, and he cashed my check. Sometime thereafter, John came down with some sort of infection that landed him in the hospital. We continued our correspondence during this time and I was sympathetic to what was going on, so I didn’t pressure him. As our contract dates came and went, John continued to have issues. At one point, he was well enough to be able to give me some color samples on some scraps. He came by my place of work and we chatted and he handed off the color samples. Eventually, John had to shutter his business and sell his tools. He ensured me that he would deliver. I stuck with him. At some point, John picked up and moved to North Carolina without even telling me. Evidently, he was tired of being sick and wanted to go back home where he was from. I found this out when I no longer got a text message response from him and had emailed him. I was highly skeptical that I would receive the desk I ordered, but yet I tried to hold out that he would deliver, as he was promising. I had sold my old desk when I contacted John, assuming that I’d have a new one soon. The room stood empty and the things I had moved out of it were sitting in my dining room waiting for the desk to arrive so they could be put back. That’s where they stayed for nearly three years! At some point a while back, I got tired of looking into an empty room where a desk should be. I contacted another local builder, even though I felt soured by them because of John, and started the process of getting a desk built. That has recently been delivered and it is gorgeous. About a month or two ago, I told John that I wanted my deposit back. The contract had long since been broken and, while I felt bad about his medical issues, I was still out $1,300. I could use that money to put clothes on my kids, food on my table, pay my bills. After all, I’m not a charity. I have a heart, but $1,300 is just too much to stomach. John, of course, said he didn’t have the money. I compromised and said I would settle for $1,000 made in payments. We agreed on a small amount per month, which would have taken him nearly a year to pay off, and he would start immediately. And wouldn’t you know it…I never received that check. I received excuses, instead. I’m tired of the back and forth. I’m tired of the compromise. I want my money back. While his intentions may have been good, the fact remains that he owes me money. I have been far more than patient. Unfortunately, I have run out of patience. Do the right thing. Pay me back. But he won’t. He claims he can’t. Yet, he has a job. He breeds dogs for profit. And he’s looking to build a house and a new shop. I told him I was going to finally file a police report and a claim. He says I’m threatening him by telling him I’m going to file the report and a claim. I’m threatening nothing. He holds all the cards right now…or should I say holds all the money? I’m merely making good on actions that I say I will take. He claims he’ll file bankruptcy for protection from me. Go ahead. I hope you get back on your feet, John. When you do, think about what you’ve done to me and potentially others that are expecting a product for their hard earned money.