Furniture Import Export Inc.

This review is based on a purchase made with Furniture Import & Export Inc as a vendor for Houzz. A similar, but more detailed review can be found for Houzz.com posted 06/28/2017.
This is a multi-part review, and we recommend you read all 4 parts:
1) TABLE - gorgeous in the picture, couldn't tell you in person. After cutting the tape on the box and removing packaging, it was clear that the table sides had shattered, so we never saw the table top. Looks like it was what I was expecting, though. However, the danger and mess of shattered mirror fragments were of great concern. (See Part 3 of this review)
2) CHAIRS - beautiful, with spring reinforcement in the seat and a firm cushion, we believe these would have lasted even with regular use. The "otter" color is lovely - not "dove" grey, and not "charcoal" either. They arrived in good condition, and they were easy to assemble with a 5mm allen wrench included (the legs are in the seat base). The table can be purchased separately for $977, and the FOUR chairs would absolutely be worth the remaining $600. (See Part 3 of this review.)
3) CUSTOMER SERVICE - Houzz has very nice customer service reps, but it was Furniture Import & Export, Inc that we were forced to (attempt) to work with for the return of damaged goods. (Houzz reps and supervisor just said, "They said..." or "They refuse..." for everything relating to the return.) The third party was sketchy (reps giving two different names and other questionable behaviors), and they were unreasonable about the return. Their position was that we should repack the shattered table, risking injury and the liability of the return freight persons potentially being injured by mirrored shards because we are not professional packers. We were told it was not a big deal and that we should run down to Home Depot and buy some tape and gloves to pack it back up. On top of it all, it is now 2 weeks later and the mirrored shards, table, and chairs (which WE were forced to un-assemble AND repackage for the return!) are still sitting in the living room. This vendor was unwilling to provide "white glove" delivery on a replacement (which we were willing to pay for), and ultimately, we were not willing to risk starting this nightmare over again. When we finally gave up on a replacement, we asked about refunding just the table and keeping the chairs, but they were only willing to refund a nominal portion of the total price, making the cost of 4 dining chairs close to $1,000, which felt like gouging.
4) PICK UP FOR THE RETURN It took more than FORTY HOURS and nearly THREE WEEKS of phone calls (and three-way calls with Furniture Import & Export Inc. and Houzz.com), to get this vendor to pick up the damaged table. Meanwhile, mirror shards are sitting in our home with our grandchildren and pet. Houzz finally negotiated for Furniture Import & Export Inc. to arrange pack up and pick up but the freight service missed a deadline pick-up window by 2 hours (and we missed our flight out of town). They sent one slim, older man alone. He arrived without packing tape or equipment (like a dolly) to move the table and asked us to help him move the 7-foot, 250+ pound table (we declined). Another hour until a second person arrived to help him. Still no packing tape or gloves. (Meanwhile they are in our home with potential liability.)
We have purchased many large and expensive items online, but this was our first experience with Furniture Import & Export Inc (and with Houzz who fronts for them). RUN FROM THIS VENDOR. IT IS NOT WORTH THE RISK (not to mention the disappointment over losing out on a product you fell in love with)! Whatever you do, be sure you check the condition INSIDE the boxes AT THE CURB before you sign/let the original delivery truck drive away, because otherwise you are at the mercy of Furniture Import & Export Inc (even when you are buying from Houzz.com!), which ends up being an unfair and awful experience. They have your money, you have a product that you cant use (and may even pose a safety hazard), and you cannot force them to come and take it back. We will not risk repeating this experience with either Furniture Import & Export Inc. or with Houzz/other Houzz sellers. If you must, pay with your Amex card so you can get your money back and put the ball in THEIR court to come pick up their products.