The Brick

My husband and I went shopping for appliances for our first home at their Halifax location. And while I’m so far pleased with the actual purchases, the service was aggravating.
The guy in appliances shadowed us every move we made, which made me anxious and felt like I couldn’t talk about what I was looking at with my husband because the associate would chime in with answers or something in conversations that were clearly not meant for him. When we finally did make choices, it took him almost an HOUR to place our order (which had to be split into two). He could barely navigate their own website and kept picking the more expensive item when I was trying to point out which one I wanted (even when I actually pointed at the screen).
After delivery one, we called to find out when our stove might arrive. The same associate told us we still owed $ 80 for delivery (after he told us we had one free delivery) even though our invoice said $ 0.00 owing. Their customer service line cleared it up (because there was even a note in there that said we had one free delivery).
After buying a microwave, as is, which I understand, we discover the support bracket is missing. We were told by a contractor that he could get bolts (which it was also missing) but not the bracket. The same associate wouldn’t even deal with it, he farmed us out to a parts dealer in town, who ordered us the bracket for $ 11. I get that it’s as is, but that support bracket is um, kind of crucial to even being able to USE the damn thing.
Once they deliver our stove, I am washing my hands of this store. I like their merchandise but their service is a steaming pile of poo.

Went into The brick last night. Was not
Impressed by the sales man Ben, he followed my neighbour and I around the store, didn’t miss a beat. Did he think we were going to steal something or did he just want to sell something bad? Word of advice, if you’re going here, tell Ben not to follow you around, he will creep you out.

Well, in spite of what I read on here about others experiences with The Brick, I decided to at least go have a look at what they had to offer based on their flyer ad, which appealed to me. We were needing a new range. If they turned me off for any reason at all, we were heading to Leons. However, the Brick was having a Manager’s sale this weekend, and today is Sunday. We also had to do this quickly (talk about pressure!), My husband was going on a hunting trip, and was impatient over the thought of going looking for stoves in the first place. On entering the store, I found it to be well laid out, I could see the appliances right from the entrance, and we made a beeline to the department.
We looked around for maybe 4 – 5 minutes when a salesman asked if he could assist us in what we were looking for. From there on, it was a pleasure dealing with Roger, as he knew his stuff about appliances, and the products they sell. We even went online so he could show us features of those that weren’t in the store we could select. Sure he did try to up sell us a bit, with warming drawers, aqua interior, etc., but I made it clear the price range we were willing to pay. He pointed out the stainless v the white on white benefits, etc. We finally hit on one with the pricing and brand I was comfortable with, and made the deal.
We were there just over an hour and although we have to wait for 2 weeks as it has to be ordered in, we were very pleased with the service and especially with the fact that the warranty we purchased (which I DON’T usually buy because it’s a rip off generally) if we haven’t used it in the five years post mfg warranty period, we can go in and purchase something from the store for the price we paid for it. Happy, yes, very, my experience over the last year with my range has been frustrating and since I haven’t had an oven since the spring, I wanted that peace of mind with the ext warranty.
Also, he explained if there are several service calls on the stove, both in mfg warranty period and in the extended warranty period, they will bring us a new one. Roger was a former power company employee who went to work for them full time after his retirement several years ago (he told me after I specifically asked how long he had been there), and with his background in electrical, he knows his stuff. I’d highly recommend him as a salesperson, but get there before Dec 31, as he heads for Florida for the winter months.
So I guess now the proof will be in the pudding as they say, when we get it and use it.

I was in Sweden for the World Junior Hockey tourney, and when I got back I was moving to a new apartment. Online, I purchased several thousands of dollars of furniture and ordered it to be delivered on 10 Jan. I emailed them several times with instructions (that they never acknowledged) because I didn’t want to turn my phone on in Sweden. So I get home, they still haven’t charged my visa, nor have they answered my emails. So I phoned them and sure enough, the furniture will be a week late. So I will move into my new apartment without a bed, dresser, dining room table, couch, or TV for a whole week. Thanks Brick! Well done on treating your customers like sh*t. Oh and just wait and see if it comes when they say it will… I don’t have much hope of that.

My other half and I were in yesterday browsing for various furniture items. We headed to Burnside to The Atrium, The Brick being our first stop.
Overall I found lots of pieces I liked, and enjoyed the clearance section which had some decent options as well, for discounted prices.
So, what stopped us from making a purchase? Not one single staff member acknowledged our existence. Not so much as a hello. Nothing. We made it around the store twice without any acknowledgement. So we turned on our heels and left.
I am not about to give a store my hard earned money if they can’t so much as say hello. I personally felt profiled based on my appearance: we’re both jeans and tee shirt types; I felt we were ignored because we didn’t look like we were there to spend money. Well, guess what, you just lost a potential sale. I will never set foot in this store again. I will spend my money elsewhere.

Went into the store and immediately loved it. This is exactly what I need. Within minutes I found the exact piece of furniture I’ve been looking for everywhere! YAY!
Brian comes over and offers to ring me up. $ 75 for delivery anywhere in HRM and free set up.. . eh. it’s a little pricy but I don’t own a truck so I’ll fork it over. I tell Brian I also need a wall mount for my tv. He looks it up, says he has one that will fit my tv here and rings me up. I paid a good amount of money for this. He comes back a minute later and says he was wrong, they’re at the warehouse in Burnside so I’ll have to go there to get it but he’ll let them know I’m coming.
uhm. Okay, sure. It’s my day off, i’ll drive an extra 50 km.
I get to the warehouse in Burnside (which isn’t labeled AT ALL) and they go to find my wall mount. Return 20 min later to say, it’s at the store in Bayers Lake I’ll have to go back there to get it. No. I don’t think so. What about if they deliver it with the dresser next week? «I can’t arrange that, you’ll have to phone the store, there will probably be a delivery fee»
Call back to the store and tell the manager the story and I get «oh interesting, i see the inventory is here, I don’t know how he messed that up.»
me: still waiting for apology.. .
***Dead Air***
me: Okay so how about you just refund me for the delivery fee and we’ll call it a day then?
her: i’ll refund half, I have to pay my drivers.
me: that’s not my problem. I wasted 50 km of gas and an hour and a half out of my day. can we take the total off for the mount?
her: no. I can’t give you a free product. I’ll refund half your delivery fee.
me: do it.
I am in the process of writing a letter to corporate for them and in the mean time I’ll be telling everyone I know not to buy here. Please spread the word.
**update: I finally got through to someone in corporate and they pretty much told me to get over it.**
If you don’t believe me check out their facebook page. Complaint after complaint after complaint with a copy and paste response to contact corporate from the store.

Ugh. I hate the zany layout of the store designed to trap you in the midst of hungry salespeople. I hate the furniture that is so often wobbly, wrinkled, or just generally god-​awful. I hate that as you enter, a sales person ‘tags’ you and then follows you around the shop about five paces back the entire time. I just… hate this place.
I do respect that there are some cheaper options for when something breaks and you need a quick fix while you save up the cash for something longer lasting, and there is the occasional gem tucked away in there from time to time, but you’re not going to have fun finding it.

My most recent experience with The Brick has me questioning whether or not I’ll return. While three years ago I purchased a new sofa and table set and was pleased (with the exception of the delivery guy who tried to weasel his way out of the assembly which was on the work order) trying to buy a TV stand was a different story.
I was there last week, was helped by an otherwise great sales guy named Tim, and decided on a steal of a deal stand that was one of their flyer items. We proceeded to the checkout stage (where they seem to ask you your entire life history). Then I’m told something seemed to have gone wrong in the system and the piece wasn’t available to be taken from the store on that day. I, and our sales guy, talk to managers in the back and more has to be done to get to the bottom of the situation. I waited there for HALF AN HOUR before we were told we could not take the item from the store that day. The sales rep was apologetic but said he would arrange for free delivery when another piece arrived from their warehouse, which would be four days. A little disappointed about not being able to have something right away, I left OK with the fact that I would have it in a few days.
Delivery day came and went, and the following day came and went. I called. After lengthy conversations with one of the managers it was determined that it was never put on file that we would have the stand delivered, nor that delivery was free due to our inconvenience the week prior. A NEW delivery date was scheduled, but not for almost another week!
I said that this entire process has been outrageous from the in-​store experience down to the irresponsible handling of the delivery order. I asked if there was anything they could do for me. She said that since it was a flyer item on clearance, there was no mark-​up and that they couldn’t reduce the price or offer any incentive.
Translation — «There’s nothing it in for us to try and make you happy right now.»
Well, I disagree since I’m planning on buying a new dining set in the next few weeks and I’ll be taking that business to Leon’s.

We shopped at the Brick when we were looking for bunk beds for my kiddos.
It took quite a while for us to narrow down a salesperson when we first visited the store. It was important for us to buy solid wood beds and it had been discouragingly difficult for us to find single-​over-​double bunks that weren’t made of metal framing.
We found a great (expensive!) set at the Brick, and then went on to select mattresses. I wish our salesperson had been a bit more enthusiastic about selling us mattresses, as I’m not impressed with the ones we ended up with.
In addition to the beds and mattresses, we ended up bringing home a recliner as well! There was a great sale on that day and we couldn’t resist.
Now for the bad stuff: When we went to assemble the beds, we discovered that an entire hardware kit had been omitted from the package. It took 3 months of calling and escalating the problem past the store manager before they would finally ship us the missing hardware kit. This experience soured us so much that we vowed never to shop at The Brick again. After all, if you can’t count on a store to do well by their customers, what’s left? Additionally, the beds have not proven themselves to be very sturdy, with screws and nuts loosening with the slightest bit of wear.

I have gone to the brink a few times and have never actually purchased anything. I have gone in looking for a bed, a sofa and coffee tables and each time I found the service to be quite insulting.
One each occasion, I barely saw a single sole working at this store. When I did see some associates, they were mingling and laughing amongst themselves.
I also find some of what the Brick sells to be rather expensive for the quality of product that you receive. When searching for a bed, the exact same bed was being sold and advertised at World Wide Furniture for $ 340 less than what it was at the Brick.
Unless I am looking to purchase a flyer item or know exactly what I’m looking for, I can’t see myself shopping at this store.