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JRA Furniture, headquartered in Cerritos, Calif., proudly boasts that their furniture is made in "factories throughout Asia." Yes, and we can think of many consumers who would have been happier if JRA's glass=top tables had stayed in Asia.
JRA's glass-top tables are sold under a number of brand names, the most notorious being Martha Stewart. Her line of patio furniture, sold by Kmart, has produced an explosion of complaints from consumers about its nasty habit of exploding all over their patios and decks. Ditto for table sold under the Hampton Bay name by Home Depot.
See Sounds of Summer: Martha Stewart Tables Shattering for all the gory details.
Jennifer of Long Beach CA (06/26/08)
I purchased a 20' x 20' gazebo from Sam's Club about 2 years ago and paid $1,100! It was great until after a year when the top completely shredded. Upon my own investigating, and speaking to several outdoor fabric companies, I was informed that polypropylene olefin (the material the top was made from), is not recommended as a canopy top because it cannot withstand UV, mildew, etc. for very long. Needless to say, I still have the frame of the gazebo, and am in the process of having a replacement top made.
Overall, this product cost me $1,100 initially, $400 for a replacement top, and hours and hours of research.
Monica of Fontana CA (05/19/08)
I purchased 2 sets of JRA patio furniture less than 2 years ago from Vons/Safeway grocery store. I woke up last night to a terrible sound and looked in my backyard to find one of my patio tables had shattered into a million pieces.
I now have to specnd the money to replace that table and because I have a baby and we dine in our backyard quite a bit, I have to replace the other one as well. I can't risk the other table shattering while we are seated at it. And because the chairs were poorly made, I am going to have to replace both entire sets.
D of Gillette WY (05/07/08)
Purchased a covered glider swing. Two upright end posts were crushed in shipping and the roof of the swing could not be assembled. No response to mail, to phone and none to the shipping company. Sportsmans Guide was the vendor. No response on it.I'm out $200.00. Not a happy camper!
Rachelle of Toledo, OH (04/25/08)
One day my children called me at work and said that my table glass was all over the back yard patio. I had this for three months.
Since we were gone I thought kids had broken it to this day I thought they had done this. Now I see I have to apologise to my children and tell them that this is what happens to the table.
I wish I would have read about this before I purchased it. I am out $350.00 and having a beautiful table to sit at when the weather is nice.
Deborah of Valley Stream NY (04/24/08)
7-piece verrado dining set, 6-piece deep seating set & 2 chaise lounge are all chipping after less than 2 year.9ft umbrella rip & cushions have blackish stains.
cost over 3,000.00
Christina of Finksburg MD (04/23/08)
I also purchased furniture from JRA Furniture from Home Depot where it is sold as Hampton Bay. I bought a 7 piece set in the summer of 2005. The seat cushions are covered in mold as is the umbrella. The paint on the table is also cracking. I just found this blog of complaints and wanted to tell those of you who have tried to contact JRA only to find they are out of business that I called Home Depot Customer Service (because I bought the set on the internet $1100) The CSR said TSY bought all of the stock from JRA after they went out of business and are replacing parts under warranty.
Anyway the CSR from HD put me on the phone with a rep from TSY 800-585-9969. I have to send photos (of course) and a copy of my receipt and they told me they will replace it (I guess depending on what they think of the photos I email). I am going to get her that information by the end of the week and see what happends. I am not expecting much. For those of you who want to fight the good fight you might want to give them a call and see what they can do. Hope this helps some of you out.
Robert of Juno Beach FL (04/21/08)
I purchased a 12'X12' gazabo from this co., 4 years ago. The top lasted less than a year, so I purchased another top which lasted. about 6 months. I then bought another top which lasted about 6 more months. This went on 5 times. When I recently tried to order another top, I was informed that this compamy had filed bankrupsy!
orig. cost = $800.00 7 top's = $700.00
Vernita of Jamesville NY (04/21/08)
I purchased A DELUXE PERGOLA .iT FELL A PART ONLY AFTER ONE YEAR. nOW THE COMPANY IS BANKRUPT AND i CAN NOT GET ANY REPLACEMENTS. tHE PHONE HSA BEEN DICONNECTED. i AMOUT OF 500.00.
500.00PLUS200.00 TO HAVE SOMEONE ASSEMBLE IT LAST YEAR
Briggette of Memphis TN (04/07/08)
We purchased a JRA Furniture Gazebo, which cost about $498.00, about 1 1/2 years ago and the roof of the Gazebo, only lasted about 1 year. The Gazebo roof looks like it has been put in a shredder. I attempted to call the company to find the phone number is disconnected. After further investigation I found out the company is now in bankruptcy and there are numerous complaints similar to mine on the consumer affairs website. I am at a total loss and do not know what to do from this point. Please HELP.
Economic consequences of this occurance is that we have been dooped. We are out of @ $535.35 including taxes. This company should not be allowed to take advantage of honest tax paying citizens.
Samuel of Ewa Beach HI (03/24/08)
I purchased from our local Safeway store a 5 piece outdoor patio set made by JRA Furniture Industries back in 2002. It included a glass top table and 4 chairs and umbrella. It was kept on our patio and covered with an outdoor furniture tarp. One day recently we heard a loud boom and went outside to discover that the glass top had exploded into thousands and thousands of small glass shards without any reason. Luckily no one was on the patio at the time. The table was not in use and was secured under the cover/tarp when the glass shattered for no reason.
Glass shards were scattered as much as 20 ft away across the patio in all directions and it took 3 hours for my wife and I to clean it up and we both suffered cuts to our hands. Obviously our topless table is useless now and without the table the matching chairs have no value either. I am out the original cost of about $400. We are retired on a fixed income and cannot afford to buy a replacment table. From reading all the complaints I've learned that JRA is out of business and that the cost of replacing the glass top is prohibitive. I feel it is only fair that I should be compensated for the replacement cost or other remedy for the defective glass that the retailer (Safeway) knew or should have known about when it sold this product.
John of Ocala FL (03/17/08)
I bought a JRA Furniture Gazebo from Sam's Club. The top lasted about a year. I ordered 2 replacement tops and both lasted less than a year each. Does anyone know where I can buy a replacement top for this? It is a 12x12.
Linda of Plainfield IL (03/14/08)
Purchased over $900 worth of patio furniture (Hampton Bay) called FOLIAN and it rusted and paint peeled before it was 2 years old. JRA Furniture claimed a 5 year warranty, which is why we purchased it. Now JRA is bankrupt and Home Depot does not stand behind the product it sells.
Is there a class action lawsuit? This is unbelievable.
I have all receipts as well as the papers that were attached spelling out frame warranty. Does not specify anything but FRAME.
A patio table and chairs that are missing chunks of paint and show visible aluminium material underneath. No way to purchase matching paint because manufacturer is out of business.
Joan of Mineola NY (03/14/08)
We purchased 2 Charm patio sets (2 tables/12 chairs) in cast aluminum back in Spring, 2004. In 2006, we reported that the table had rusted and they sent us a new table. One of the rocker chairs cracked right off the base. Fortunately, there were no injuries but we would like this chair replaced. The warranty is good for five years and we are well in our rights to ask for a replacement. The website is shut down and the phone number is disconnected. Where do we go from here? Please advise.
I have two patio tables and eleven working chairs. The rocking chair cannot be repaired...it must be replaced.
Brian of Philadelphia PA (02/27/08)
I filed a warranty claim in Spring of 2006 and never received the replacement table top that I was promised year after year. Unfortunately, now they have filed for bankruptcy and closed down their email and phone lines. Now I am stuck with a table that is uneven that cost me $600.00. Last year I had requested a complete replacement of the set and they told me that wasn't an option.
$600.00 Patio Set that does not have an even table top.
James of Katy TX (02/26/08)
I purchased a patio Gazebo from Target for $500 before tax. The paint started peeling within a couple of months; cover is torn at the grommets. I contacted JRA for replacement cover which I was willing to pay for since the warranty was out by the time I called them, but got nothing but a runaround and put on hold repeatedly until I gave up (over an hour). Number provided is now disconnected.
Worthless gazebo that leaves rust stains on the concrete.
Vyann of Battle Creek MI (02/03/08)
We had purchased a modular gazebo a couple of summers ago. The top caps broke on the posts so it's impossible to put the top up, the screens ripped easily, and now it's worthless. It was a product that did not wear well at all. I'm very unhappy with this product.
Kenneth of Norwood Young America MN (01/06/08)
I bought a gazebo, and the canvas wore out in less than a year. I called, sent pictures for a replacement, and never got one. Now I found out they are bankrupt.
Timothy of Cincinnati OH (01/03/08)
I purchased a back yard gazebo canvas top at Sams; after about a year and a half the top started to shred. I called JRA Furniture and told them the problem. They gave me a claim number and said to send them a cashiers check for $20.00. I did, called back several times, and long story short they went belly up. Now I have a gazebo with no top and out $20.00. I found a place in Cincinnati that will make a new top, but this is turning into the experience from hell also.
I'm out $20.00; the gazebo is useless, and I now need to decide should I throw it away or not. The original price of the gazebo was $500.00.
Catherine of Wernersville PA (01/02/08)
I purchased a Pallazzo 13-Piece Dining set, 3 each matching Toscano 3-piece Bistro sets, 2 each multi-position chaise lounges, and matching 8' and 10' market umbrellas from Sam's Club. These items were to be warranted for 5 years. There are numerous issues with a number of the pieces. I tried calling 1-800-379-8918 and was told that I would have to take pictures of the problems and mail them to the company. After doing so I never heard from them.
I tried contacting the company again many times this past spring and summer but never got to speak with anyone. Each and every time I called 1/800-379-8918, my call would be put in a holding queue. It would state that there were a number of calls ahead of me, but it would never be answered. I even tried staying on the line for up to an hour waiting to get through but to no avail. I tried again today 1/2/08, and now the phone has been disconnected. After searching the internet for another number for JRA Furniture, I see they have filed for bankruptcy.
I have close to $2,000 invested in these patio pieces and this company's warranty is worthless. I cannot get replacement parts. The customer service rep that requested that I mail pictures of the furniture problems must have done this to stall me. It is just not fair that this company can get away with these tactics at the consumers expense.
Denise of Oklahoma City OK (12/26/07)
We bought a patio set from Lowe's (Hampton Bay); the powder coat finish is coming off. I have tried to call and email, but to no avail. What is our recourse?
Robin of Mcmurray PA (11/28/07)
We purchased a patio set from the Brittany Stone Table Collection. Chunks of the stone top are coming out of the top of the table and falling to the ground. I was able to work with Sam's Club in order for them to warranty my table. They agreed to replace my table with the Palazzo dining table and told me an order was placed back in June of 2007. I was told that a shipping company would contact me in order to make arrangements for shipment, but I have never received that call. I have tried to follow up by email in order to find out the status of the replacement table, but they all get returned to me via the web post master indicating that the messages are undeliverable. Their phone number is not working either.
We're out the cost of our patio table which has only lasted us a couple of years. The cost was about $800.
Ann Marie of Hackettstown NJ (11/28/07)
I purchased an outdoor patio set. It didn't even make it through the second summer when the umbrella, which cost me close to $200.00, ripped. The six cushions didn't last as well. I tried to contact the company but the numbers are bad. The two numbers they give out are 1-800-211-8881 and l-770-333-5995. Both are bad numbers. An expensive outdoor umbrella should last two summers and it didn't, and neither did the cushions. We don't have any severe weather in New Jersey. I want these items replaced. It's obvious that the quality wasn't as advertised.
I have torn and ripped umbrella and cushions. The fabric didn't hold up as promised by Home Depot.
Karen of Bristol VA (11/05/07)
I purchased a Martinique 3-piece Bistro set from Sam's Club in May 2006. The base of one of the swivel chairs has split in several spots. I have tried calling JRA Furniture with several of the 800's provided and get either a recorded announcement that I do not have authorization to call or the number has been disconnected. It is frustrating to have purchased a product where the manufacturer is not responsive or available.
There has fortunately been no damage to anyone or anything as a result of the chair, but I would like to be able to replace the parts.
Victoria of Ortonville MI (10/31/07)
I purchased my gazebo last September from Meijer's. The gazebo top began ripping immediately. I have been on hold for a year--trying to get a replacement or money back. I was just going to start to contact them again when I saw this web-site.
The gazebo cover is in shredd now. It looks like I will have to measure and sew a new top. I might as well buy a new gazebo. This is certainly a bummer.
Harry of Lakewood CA (10/27/07)
I saw the JRA gazebo at Sams club for $500.00 in may 2004 that looked nicer than others. I bought it. The canvass top didn't even last one year before it shredded in pieces in 2005. After 9 months I finally got it replaced in Feb. 2006. Now this one is shredded; and they're bankrupt, and I cant replace it. I'm out $500 and no gazebo.
Anna of Bradenton, FL (10/23/07)
We purchased from JRA a Pergola for our back yard and followed the instructions for assembling. As instructed we had a ladder and several adults to do the final assembly and it collapsed. I tried e-mailing JRA and my e-mail is undeliverable. I tried to call and am told "not permitted to use that number".
Luckily all the adults were not killed; but the collapsed Pergola damaged a brand new grill ($1100.00), and we lost $350.00 for the Pergola.
Jeremiah of St Petersburg FL (08/09/07)
I bought the Diore Dining set from Sam's Club a few weeks back for $800. Inside all of the boxes was an orange paper that said in case of missing parts call 800-379-8918. I have been calling that number for 2 weeks now 20+ times and their phone system leaves you on hold for 30mins or more and then just disconnects you. This company must be going out of business, so there goes the warranty. Steer clear!
I cannot get the missing parts for my furniture set, and my warranty is now worthless.
Debra Lamp of Cranston RI (08/09/07)
First the umbrella broke after just 3 months of use. Then the glass top table exploded. Then one of my rocking chairs broke off at the base. Now the chair pads have ripped after 2 summer use in New England, which is not very long! Basically its a wash!
I have to find someone to repair the rocking chair. I paid over a $1,000. for this set! What a disaster.
Karen of Heath TX (06/25/07)
My husband & I purchased an outdoor gazebo from Target in Dallas, Texas. It was manufactured by JRA Century. The gazebo was purchased on 5/10/06 for $349.99 before tax. The gazebo started to rust and the canvas top is ripping in several places. An outdoor gazebo should last longer than a year. This gazebo was not cheap just cheaply made. I have also e-mailed Target about this situation and explained I have my original receipt. I went to the internet to look up JRA and found they went bankrupt. There has to be some sort of recourse.
Must husband built a deck arount the pool an we attached the gazebo to the deck. The deck now how rust stains from it dripping on to the deck. The stains are unsightly and doubtful they can be removed.
John of Bartlett, IL (06/13/07)
Charm Set glass patio table top,manufactured by JRA Funiture ,spontaneously combusted. I can provide pictures.
I sent JRA $150 in April to replace the glass table top and they have kept the money. Now I see that they have filed Chapter 7 and are not answering their phone.
I am out the cost of the patio set which was $750.
Mary of Hackettstown, NJ (06/13/07)
Our glass top table, purchased from Home Depot, just spontaneously shattered on our deck yesterday. Luckily my husband, who is currently on chemo therapy and had been sitting on the deck, had just gone inside the house.
I am having difficulty getting up all the shards, and have two great danes that are getting them stuck in their paws.
L. of Canyon Country ,CA (06/12/07)
Our JRA patio furniture is broken for the second time. This time it is the other swivel-rocker charm chair.
After going round and round with the company trying to obtain the proper parts from JRA and threatening to notify the BBB and Home Depot Corp., we finally (after 8 1/2 months) received the post that was needed to repair the rocker. Then tonight my husband leaned back slightly in the chair and it snapped underneath at the base (exactly where the other chair broke).
Apparently this product design is inferior!
Aileen of Lincoln, CA (06/12/07)
We purchased a gazebo at Target last year, and are missing pieces. I called, and after 3 calls and 57 minutes total on hold, I was finally given the fax number I needed. But there was never an answer at the fax number, multiple attempts no avail.
I am currently out $250.
Mitzi of London, KY (06/12/07)
I purchased a patio table and chairs from Home Depot & the finish on the table is peeling off. I contacted Home Depot & was referred to Hampton Bay then to JRA furniture.
I waited on hold for 2 hours my first time contacting JRA and every other time I called. I was instructed to email pictures and explanations. I did so on 5/27/07 and again on 6/4/07. Now I can't get anyone to answer or any response.
David of Avon, IN (06/12/07)
The glass top just shattered. The set was just 3 months old and we spent $600 on it.
I tried to buy a replacement top thinking we did something wrong could not get in contact with anyone that could help. Then we found out that numerous tops were breaking.
Audiene of New Windsor NY (05/07/07)
I purchased Martha Stewarts patio set and each piece of furniture has rusted and cushions are faded and shredding. Even the umbrella has shredded. We had spent over $1000.00 for all the pieces and within the year the set was an eye sore.
Linda of San Leon TX (10/22/06)
We bought patio furniture at Home Depot on 9/02/06 and last night the glass table top just exploded into a million pieces. It is Hampton Bay Classic Collection and is the Pacific style. After looking up the web site to try and purchase another glass top table we read from other consumers that this is an on-going problem with this manufacturer. They write that it is impossible to get any satisfaction from the manufacturer or the store where it was purchased.
We were lucky it happened during the night because we have 2 small dogs and they go out onto the deck where this happened. Now we are out over $400 dollars as it is worthless as a patio set without the table.
Sandra of Ferndale MI (09/06/06)
We were sitting down at the table, had a coffee cup sitting on the table and all of a sudden the glass completely shattered. No body was touching the table or anything. The coffee cup broke when the table shattered cuz it fell right through.
Glass went flying everywhere, thankfully the kids weren't injured.
Shari of Dassel MN (08/29/06)
I purchased a patio table w/6 chairs and 4 ottomans from Sams Club last summer and the whole glass table top shattered for no reason. I contacted the manufacturer, JRA Furniture, and they said that there is nothing they can do because the set is discontinued so now I am sitting with a whole patio set with no table top.....kind of useless.
Marvin of Dunedin FL (07/11/06)
Glass table top from patio set bought through Sam's Club and manufactured by JRA Furniture exploded for no apparent reason. Have spoken with several representatives of Sam's Club and they all contend that a replacement top is in order and gave me a ticket # 256369 and stated their buyer would honor replacement and was told to call JRA Furniture. Told them that I had already made one call to JRA and was informed that since the item had been discontinued by Sam's Club that they would not honor any warranty replacements, but that I would call again with their ticket # info.
On the next call to JRA I received the same response about discontinued item. Called Sam's Club back and was given a second 800# to call. At 800-211-8881 a gentleman named Irving had the same reply, but added that the glass is not warrantied anymore. Told him that Sam's Club warrantied the entire unit for one year and he told me to take it up with them.
Upon researching patio furniture I came across several complaints about exploding glass on Martha Stewart brand sold by K-Mart. Guess what? This same line is manufactured by JRA Furniture as well and it has been an ongoing issue dating back to 2001 in some cases, so I guess JRA's stance is now not to warranty the glass and to distribute to as many retailers as possible and hopefully sell as many glass table tops as they can before they explode! The real issue here is that since they refuse to deal with replacing the glass tops a replacement costs more than the furniture set itself. It has to be special ordered due to fact that since it was manufactured in China that non of the sizes conform to U.S. measurements (inches vs. meters syndrome)
I purchased a 13 piece patio set with 6 chairs, 4 ottomon, 64 round glass top table, lazy susan, I also bought the matching glider and Bistro set. So what I actually have at this moment is 8 chairs and a glider that I can crowd around a 24 Bistro table when guests come over.
Rosemary of Loveland CO (09/23/05)
We purachased over $1,000.00 of patio furniture from K-mart in 2003and were thoroughly pleased with it. However our Lazy susan on the table top shattered after about a month and this week we had heavy winds and the table top shattered. I was wanting to replace the table but K-mart stores don't have stock anymore and so I am dealing with JRA furniture industries to see if they can help me replace replace it.
Wanda of Lexington SC (03/01/05)
My husband and I purchased the Victoria Colletion of patio furniture by Martha Stewart through our local Kmart Store in WEst Columbia, SC. After taking care of the furniture per the manufacturers warranty instructions, I now have to add my name to the long list of complaints and complainers who are quite dissatisfied with the product that Kmart is selling at a very expensive price. This line of furniture is junk. The paint is already peeling and cracking off, the paint has faded terribly and the fade resistant cushions and umbrella are a joke. Even with us taking the cushions and umbrella in and out of storage, they have faded and worn terribly.
I have tried numerous times to have this problem rectified through our local Kmart stores, but my complaints fall on deaf ears. I have read that the manufacturer with proof by photos, will in some cases, replace the defective furniture...I doubt they will do this since they won't even return your calls about the problems. As far as I am concerned, JRA Furniture Company and Kmart are ripping folks off by selling them cheap outdoor furniture at high prices, making folks feel that they are buying qualify furniture. Trust me, the furniture only looks good for a VERY short period of time.
Basically, I am stuck with very ugly and unsightly patio furniture around my pool area, and I am out of about $500.00 in outdoor furniture cost. If the company won't replace it, I will have to spend additional money for replacement furniture...thus more money down the whole.
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