Empire Surplus Home Center

I purchased over $1000 of hardwood flooring from Empire. I asked to examine the planks first and, upon opening the box, I saw that many of the pieces were quite short. Johnny Challenger, the salesperson, told me that each box contained (on average) about 20% "shorties" (i.e., planks 2' or shorter.) When I balked, he said I could come back and buy another box or two if the plank lengths weren't to my taste. When my contractor began to lay them, he noticed that about 60% of the planks were shorties. I would've had to buy roughly $600 more to make the floor look passable.



Finally, I had to unload the wood, only recouping $200... less than 20% of what I paid. Humiliating!



Empire has good product and low prices, but the salesperson misled me and the company would not give me a refund for unopened boxes. That's DISHONORABLE. I don't care what their return policy is; you do not lie to the customer and offer no relief.



If I could give Empire 0 stars or even negative stars, I would.