DONNA COHEN CLASSIC DESIGN, LLC

I ordered a sofa from Donna Cohen on 9-12-16 and 2 chairs on 9-28-16 which was all paid in full.I was told the sofa would arrive in 8-10 weeks and the 2 chairs in 6-8weeks. It is now 12-13-16 and I still do not have the furniture. Her excuses over the past few months have been "the sofa did not pass inspection" to "three trucks were destroyed in the Tennessee wildfires, causing a delay but that all of the said furniture was done and in North Carolina and just waiting for the trucks to be delivered. This sounded fishy, so at this point, I went straight to the source where Ms. Cohen said she ordered the furniture back in September which is Jacksonville Furniture Mart. She even made up multiple fake delivery dates (again verifiable by emails she sent). The designer at Furniture Mart whom Ms.Cohen had previously said she works with told me when I called that she had all of my information but that Donna never sent her my money and therefore Donna never ordered the furniture,despite telling me all along via phone calls, personal visits to my home and saved texts and emails that she ordered it back in September for which she provided her own receipts. Donna pocketed my money, totaling $6764.42! As soon as I realized this, I confronted Donna via email with the above information and she admitted in numerous emails that she did it because of "personal problems and I am sorry". A deputy with the Alachua County Sheriff's Department informed me that if convicted,this is considered grand theft in the state of Florida since it exceeds $300. It took numerous emails for her to finally have money wired to her account so she could reimburse me. She said she did not have the money in her personal and business accounts and would have to have it wired to her account at her local bank. Per my own banking institution, I was advised to meet Ms. Cohen at her bank as she obtained a cashier's check which I did today (12-13-16). I am disappointed in her dishonest business practice and hope others can avoid this.

Donna and I worked together back 20 years ago. I was recently divorced and she helped me create a new home for myself. Donna and I were able to get on the same page instantly. She knew exactly what I was looking for. The furniture I purchased from Donna were top of the line and I still have many pieces that remain my favorites. That little condo she designed was one of my favorite homes. This year I asked Donna to help me with the finishing touches in one of my Parade Homes. Donna took charge of our Santorini model. We played on the "Fifty Shades of Grey" popularity with beautiful grey paints and accents. Donna is able to suggest ideas I would never consider. Our tiger wood floors she suggested was a hit at the Parade. Our home was so popular we had groups revisit us four or five times! Donna was great to work with and I can't wait for the opportunity to work with her again.