Nini Vrn
map-marker Hickory, North Carolina

Never provided product

I paid Fred Heartley $645 in November 2023 for a birdhouse that was supposed to be delivered by Christmas. It is now middle of February and I still do not have birdhouse or any picture proving he is working on it. HORRIBLE PERSON and DISHONEST! DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!
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User's recommendation: HORRIBLE

Jessica W Ekf

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Rockville, Maryland

Positive Review

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The Birdhouse Barn - Positive Review
I ordered a custom birdhouse from him and he did an amazing job. I placed the order back in April 2023 and while it did take several weeks to complete it was well worth the investment. This is a lovely and unique product for any type of gift. Birthday, Christmas, or just for your own home like I did.
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User's recommendation: I would recommend ordering from Fred

Thomas T Xxw

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Verified Reviewer

Scammed

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The Birdhouse Barn - Scammed
The Birdhouse Barn - Scammed - Image 2
The Birdhouse Barn - Scammed - Image 3
The Birdhouse Barn - Scammed - Image 4
The Birdhouse Barn - Scammed - Image 5
Original review Aug 09, 2023

I ordered a birdhouse Feb 2022, was told 12-16 weeks. It is now July 2023, we are going on almost 2 years with no birdhouse.

I have not received a response from Fred is almost 2 months, and the last email from him was "it shipped". We never even gave them an address yet. I will be taking legal action, contacting the BBB and also submitting fraud to ic3.gov. Please stay away from this company, you will get scammed.

UPDATE AUGUST 2023- After threatening Fred with contacting a lawyer and filing more complaints, he finally responded and within a week or 2 they shipped out the birdhouse.

It is obvious that they put this birdhouse together in the last week or so before it was shipped. The quality is very bad, a 10 year old could have done a better job. I sent an email to Fred that the work is not acceptable and I want to return, and he replied "the product is as advertised and there are no returns/refunds." If this is "as advertised", I think Fred should look into a new career. Please, anyone reading this, do not waste your money.

It will take you years to receive a birdhouse, and the quality will be horrible. Definitely not worth $525. From reading other reviews, I seem to be lucky. People are losing 1000s of dollars from Freds scams.

I will be taking every avenue I can such as BBB and ic3.gov. Fred is running an obvious scam and he needs to be dealt with.

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Loss:
$525
Cons:
  • Lies
  • Scams
  • Never answers emails

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Stay far away from this company

Anonymous
map-marker Dayton, Ohio

Late delivery, poor quality

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Ordered early October, promised for Christmas, delivered mid-March. The so-called birdfeeder has no way to hang it, no way to put birdseed in it, and nowhere for the birds to perch. Per the recipient, a soon-to-be certified naturalist and longtime birder, "He obviously doesnt know how bird feeders work. There is virtually no space in the tray for seed to go. He didnt think this through at all. Angry "
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User's recommendation: Caveat emptor!

lula t

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Verified Reviewer

NEVER RECEIVED PRODUCT

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THIS BUSINESS IS A SCAM. I commissioned a custom birdhouse in August 2020. I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT. Fred keeps saying it's "almost ready". DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY HERE.
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Loss:
$400
Cons:
  • We paid in full- the product was never sent
  • Being scammed out of a ton of money
  • Never received

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: DO NOT EVER USE

1 comment
lula t

UPDATE. I just received it (late June) after many emails back and forth and agreements on new deadlines. It came out pretty nicely, but it took way too long and was a very stressful process.

Jonathan b Yww

Total scam, every type o problem - service, quality, honesty...

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This business is not just poorly run, but in my opinion a scam. Deadlines are never met, photos or progress reports never given, every promise broken and lies told by owner. Avoid this business at all cost. I cannot comment on the final product quality as the product is never delivered, but based on other reviews, it is very often sorely lacking. You will see several reviews that the owner claims "were not true customers" - DO NOT BELIEVE HIM - as these reviews are dead-on accurate to my experience.
View full review
Loss:
$1050
Cons:
  • Horrible customer service
  • Excuses
  • We paid in full- the product was never sent

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Do not consider this business for your project - EVER

Cindy H Pgd

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Verified Reviewer

He is a scoundrel that also breaks hopes n dreams and creates Fed Ex Fraud

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You sent WHATEVER PKG TO: 1711 Elizabeth Ave Apt # D NOT 1771 Elizabeth Ave Apt #i THE REFUND GOES TO YOU SINCE YOU PAID FED-EX JUST LIKE I THOUGHT I PAID YOU $575.00 THEN YOU GET PAID AAAAAAAAAGAIN FROM FED EX! HARD TELLING WHAT YOU PUT IN THE BOX A DEAD SKUNK OR A BRICK... YOU ARE A HORRIBLE PERSON AND A FRAUDULENT BUSINESS MAN. WHAT A LOW LIFE YOU ARE! I WILL ELABORATE ON YOUR FRAUDULENT BUSINESS EVERYWHERE ONLINE! C. HUNTER 12/11/2020 CORNING CA DISABLED WIDOW YOU PREMEDITATED &;;;;;;;;; STOLE FROM ---------- CLAIM#121********
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Loss:
$575
Cons:
  • Being scammed out of a ton of money
  • Poor communication
  • Excuses

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Never Use!

Jason M Iln

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Verified Reviewer

Avoid

Hello - this review is only stating facts, that I can provide proof of, and my opinion. I placed an order with Fred on 7/25/2019 for a $300 custom birdhouse. Before placing the order, Fred agreed that he sends progress photos as work is being done. I checked in on 9/3/2019 for an update, since I had not seen or head anything up until this point. 9/4/2019 - Fred replied that it would be done at the End Of September. Still no photos. 9/10/2019 - Fred stated he would have photos soon. 9/24/2019 - I sent an email stating my concern that I have not seen any photos for the project, with a completion date (stated by Fred) for the end of September. 9/25/2019 - Fred stated that he had gotten too many orders and couldn't complete it by the date he stated. 10/31/2019 - I sent another email asking about the updated, since it would supposed completed in September. 11/1 - Fred stated it would ship the following week. At this point, i still have not gotten a single photo. I have requested photos with almost every email. 11/5/2019 - A photo was attempted to be sent by Fred. Second email, the photo was attached. After seeing a photo for the first time, there were some details of the building that were missing. Important details to me and the person getting it as a gift. 11/5/2019 - Fred stated it was the best he could do with only one photo that was provided. This is untrue, i provided extra photos and he did not request any more. 11/5/2019 - Fred stated that this birdhouse was "completed". I asked that if he was unwilling to do any additional modifications that he provide a refund. 11/5/2019 - Fred stated that "the birdhouse is my representation of the building". This was not stated anywhere, that it was subject to his representation, not of what the building actually looks like. I continued on emailing with Fred that i am unsatisfied with "his representation" and if he is unwilling to change anything that i would like refund. Since I had not received the product I filed a dispute with my credit card company. The credit card company came back in my favor, which was a relief. Now that Fred has been notified by my credit card company that it went in my favor, he is threatening to take me to small claims court if I do not pay him back within 10 days. In my opinion, Fred never intended to finish this project to my satisfaction. Once he was late on the completion date, that he stated, he tried to put something together as fast and possible and deemed it complete. It is unfortunate, it would of been nice to work together to get a product that worked for the both of us or just get a refund. If i could go back, i would of not done this deal. I now had to purchase an additional gift for this person and may have to pay Fred as well. Be informed and do what you want. Thanks!
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

Jennifer S Loh

Unethical and completely unprofessional

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On april 30th, contacted fred about a custom birdhouse for my mothers birthday june 18th. After reassuring me it would be done by her birthday i sent the $625.00. June 17th, no birdhouse. Emailed him about status of project. No response. Emailed him AGAIN, june 18th (my mothers birthday) he finally responded, later that day, saying it would be a week and a half. 3 weeks later, no birdhouse. August 15 emailed him requesting a refund. The whole reason i asked if it could be done by june 18th, is because my mom had been battling stage 4 cancer for a year. And we knew this was her last birthday. She passed away august 8th. I never would have ordered had he been honest, that he wouldnt have it done. He told me what i wanted just to get the money. He now refuses a refund. My husband is a lawyer, the emails i have of him promising a completion date, is as good as a contract. We will be pursuing legal measures. DO NOT ORDER FROM THIS "buisiness"!!!!!
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Loss:
$625

Preferred solution: Full refund

Laureen Hnn
map-marker Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania

THE WORST!

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I ordered almost $1000 (wholesale) of product for my new retail location. **This was almost 3 years ago. Long story short, I ordered in the spring 2016 for my Fall open house and never received anything until almost a year later. I was relentless in my correspondence and even stated it wouldn't be much to swing down by the local police dept as I passed through WV on my next visit to my Va hometown. That got Mr. Fred rolling. He is as unprofessional as they come. I still regret not doing more but I was really busy. He flirts with theft of services as far as I'm concerned and the shipment contained chipped roofs, half *** painted benches & just plain shoddy workmanship. BEWARE!!!!!!
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Reason of review:
Problem with delivery
Anonymous
map-marker Falling Waters, West Virginia

We have been scammed by the seller

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My wife ordered and paid in full for a custom birdhouse over 8 months ago. He was strung my wife along for 8 months. We have reached out to him but he will not reply. Having read online about other complaints by this seller- I wish my wife did more research. He took a nice gift from my wife- to a stressful problem about how we will recoup the $600.00 he took. Stay away from this business!!!!! He is unethical and should be shut down! We will do all that we can to get our money back and notify the public not to make the same mistake we did.
View full review
Loss:
$600
Cons:
  • We paid in full- the product was never sent
Reason of review:
Problem with delivery

Preferred solution: Full refund

4 comments
Guest

I refunded your payment for this birdhouse. You posted this before I even had a chance to email you back and let you know what was going on with your order. You have been refunded.

Guest

I refunded your payment for this birdhouse. You posted this before I even had a chance to email you back and let you know what was going on with your order.

It would have been a few more weeks before it could have been completed. We have a waiting list as our replica birdhouse are very time consuming and I have a lot of repeat business from them. This review is blown out of proportion to what really occurred. If someone is interested in buying something from me and feels hesitant after reading this farfetched review please contact me to order with no money down.

You can make the payment after the item is delivered and as always you can get a 100% refund if you are unhappy with it.

I will even pay to have it shipped back to me. Thanks!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1383826

Lies, lies, and more lies. Every review of Fred Heartley's work is the same. Please do not spend your money to feed whatever habit Fred is filling.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1383826

"and as always you can get a 100% refund if you are unhappy with it." Completely false. Fred will not give any refund, the only way to get your money back is to dispute the charges with your credit card company. He considers that to be his way of providing a refund.

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Anonymous
map-marker Olney, Maryland

Another Pissed Customer

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I am yet another victim of Fred Heartley and Birdhouse Barn. I contacted Fred in November asking about a custom birdhouse. I was told that delivery could not be made for Christmas which was totally understandable. I was told delivery would be in February or March. I checked in with Fred in February and was told it was looking great and would be ready in March. In March I was told again that the birdhouse was looking good but it would be ready in April. Now it's May and I have lost my patience. I asked for a refund of my purchase and was told no because he is 3/4 finished. I asked that he send me a picture of the 3/4 finished birdhouse and he can't produce it. That tells me that he hasn't even begun working on my birdhouse. I have contacted my credit card company and I am disputing the charges. I will also be contacted the BBB. PLEASE listen to these warnings.
View full review
Loss:
$400
Reason of review:
Item never received

Preferred solution: Full refund

5 comments
Guest

Thanks for posting a comment without waiting for me to respond to your email. I think that is really ridiculous.

Your birdhouse was finished and delivered. I would post the tracking number with FedEx but I don't want to reveal any information about my customers. If you someone would like to see this feel free to contact me. The birdhouse was delivered and if your unhappy just let me know and I can get a refund processed.

If someone is interested in buying something from me and feels hesitant after reading this farfetched review please contact me to order with no money down.

You can make the payment after the item is delivered and as always you can get a 100% refund if you are unhappy with it.

I will even pay to have it shipped back to me. Thanks!

Guest

He is not closed down. I ordered and paid in December.

When I contacted him in Spring he started to spin the stories. I went right to Paypal and filed complaint.

Just got word today that we have a refund coming via pyapal. I wish Paypal would stop letting him use their service.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1318391

Sadly they still allow him to use their platform, despite the ever growing list of complaints. He charges hundreds of dollars for 3 pieces of plywood, 9 nails, and a plastic leaf or two.

Guest

He is not registered with the BBB. This exactly happened to us.

Fortunately we paid with Paypal.

They gave him 10 days to make good or we would get a full refund. The birdhouse showed up.

It was not completely finished and missing the promised mounting equipment plus he shipped it too the wrong address.

Fortunately, I think Paypal has dropped him and his business looks to be closed down.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1166436

Unfortunately, PayPal is still allowing Mr. Hartley to use their service and take people’s money. I am now just researching this as I wait for a gift that was promised to be ready by June 30th...it’s the 29th and he won’t respond to my emails.

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Anonymous
map-marker Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

Birdhouse Barn - Never received product

I paid for a custom birdhouse in January and was promised that it would be received in 4-6 weeks. Despite repeated emails and excuses that it was delayed, I never heard from him again. Please do not order from Fred Heartley. He is a scam artist and you will not receive your product. I wish I had researched before I ordered. I have no idea why I have to enter one hundred words before this will save my review. There is really nothing else to say except he stole my money and was deceitful.I have no idea why I have to enter one hundred words before this will save my review. There is really nothing else to say except he stole my money and was deceitful.
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Reason of review:
Order processing issue
2 comments
Guest

A refund was processed for this order. You didn't give me enough time to respond to your email before destroying me in this review which is very much false and farfetched.

You didn't give me enough time to construct it for you. My website states to allow up to 16 weeks. Doesn't anyone understand handcrafted products these days?

This review is blown out of proportion to what really occurred. If someone is interested in buying something from me and feels hesitant after reading this farfetched review please contact me to order with no money down.

You can make the payment after the item is delivered and as always you can get a 100% refund if you are unhappy with it.

I will even pay to have it shipped back to me. Thanks!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1383831

By full refund, Fred means the customer will need to dispute the charges with their credit card company. Fred provides nothing but attitude, excuses, and overall *** poor quality product, if you receive anything at all.

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Anonymous

HUGE SCAM!!! AVOID!

Same story as others - had to send multiple emails to "Fred" about production of our bird house, (which was intended as a special gift) and he had an excuse each time about why it was so delayed. This is of course after I continually emailed him, he never reached out on his own to update me. Was so embarrassed that this promised gift was never delivered. After he was contacted by PayPal when I did a dispute he finally sent the product to avoid losing money, (this is months after promised date) and it was just horrible - clearly was put together in minutes, (and looked nothing like the house) to clear the dispute. Massive scam - AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!
View full review
Cons:
  • Horrible customer service
  • Being scammed out of a ton of money
  • Multiple excuses
4 comments
Guest

This story is not the truth about what occurred with this customer's product. If you are unhappy with your purchase please contact me and I will issue a full refund for you.

Guest

Many things occur during the handcrafted process that may delay an order from being completed on time. Some people just don't have patience.

I responded to every email you sent in a timely fashion and if you are unhappy with the purchase contact me for a full refund. I'll be happy to give you your money back. As always I offer a 100% money back guarantee.

This review is blown out of proportion to what really occured.

If someone is interested in buying something from me and feels hesitant after reading this farfetched review please contact me to order with no money down. You can make the payment after the item is delivered and as always you can get a 100% refund if you are unhappy with it.

I will even pay to have it shipped back to me. Thanks!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1383832

More *** from Fred. He will respond to reviews, but he will not respond or offer any assistance until someone writes a review.

He will try to claim everyone of his customers is the *** bag, when Fred is truly the one with questionable morals.

Please do not waste your money. https://www.bbb.org/us/wv/falling-waters/profile/wildlife-shop/the-birdhouse-barn-0241-********/complaints

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1383832

Surprised Fred is not in jail for his scams involving birdhouse barn. It is disappointing to see that PayPal still works with him.

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Izabellah Wxz

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Williamsburg, Ohio

Don't throw your money away!

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I wish I had seen this before I ordered! I ordered lighted houses for my shop in February and in July I still had nothing. Contacted him so many times and got nothing but excuses, not ready yet, a couple more weeks...it goes on and on. I finally contacted PayPal and logged a claim against him for a refund. Almost six months later I received the houses. Not what I expected and some were damaged. He is full of one excuse after another and will lead you on until time runs out to get you money back. You're warned!
View full review
Cons:
  • Took 6 months to get order
  • He had one excuse after another
Reason of review:
I could check almost every box here
2 comments
Guest

Our website states to allow up to 16 weeks for completion because the items are handcrafted and I do have many orders on a waiting list. If your items were damaged and your unhappy contact me for a full refund.

I will be happy to process it for you.

If someone is interested in buying something from me and feels hesitant after reading this farfetched review please contact me to order with no money down. You can make the payment after the item is delivered and as always you can get a 100% refund if you are unhappy with it.

I will even pay to have it shipped back to me. Thanks!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1383838

Far fetched? There are at least 20 reviews throughout the internet that say the same as this customer. Stop acting like you are the victim, you are a criminal.

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Anonymous
map-marker Chicago, Illinois

Other Product Review

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I just got my Church!! 6 moths later. I looked then up on better business Bureau. . The co was MIA... i figured it was lost money. Tbaought about contacting paypal.. but i said i got screwd. AND LONG AND BEHOLD IT CAME.. WITH A 20$ GIFT CARD.. SO for the heck of it, i put code in .. it would not let me use. Invalad. Wow..
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Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised

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