Apollo Blinds, Awnings & Shutters Canberra

Had an appalling experience with Apollo. Paid on 25/1/2022 they didn’t follow their procedures and order wasn’t actually placed until I followed up when I thought the installation would be taking place. The manager had no knowledge of the product and instead of being helpful (splitting the order to make things quicker) refused to do this because it would cost the company more. Still waiting, no news and no communication from the company even though it was promised.

Horrible customer service and absolutely poor co-ordination !
I'm not one who'd typically leave a bad review, infact have only done it once before in years. But this one calls for it.

A brief of my experience thus far :
Ordered a number of blinds last year and realized the living room window shutter blinds are not in colour that matched the living well. Very costly mistake as the shutter's large covering a 2.2mx1.8m glass.After contempating we ordered a replacement in a safer colour this time. Order placed in October advised installation is appx in Dec.

December (2 months after order placed) - no calls, no installation, no updates. Took it easy as we were aware ppl could be away and lock-down etc. Sure fine

Mid-Jan (3 months since order) - My wife called up to get an update. On third attempt, was told the new shutters had arrived and installation was scheduled for 28/01/2022

28/01/2022 - Installer couldn't install as he wasn't aware this was a replacement. Lack of tool was the reason given. Was told told the office will co-ordinate this on Monday and contact us asap.

31/01/22 - Nothing from the office. Ok, probably busy we thought, give it a couple of days.

03/02/22 (4 Months since order)- No calls the last few days. We called and spoke to Nara who advised she'll check and get back. Nothing. We called and Nara informed us that this is still being co-ordinated (again this is for a shutter replacement)

04/02/22 - We tried calling a number of times, busy

07/02/22 - Got a call from Bec who advised that it's our responsibility to remove the old shutter that Apollo installed. She kept on stressing this at which point it got very frustrating and annotying. This was not communicated clearly or even when we spoke earlier, and if there's a cost to this, we can absorb it. I did mention this to the installer on the day he was here.

Another point I made - if I could or wanted to do this myself, I'd have ordered this online and just install it. There's a reason we're giving our business to a local blinds company - First is to get an outcome which is blinds installed and ready to go, and second, support our local business. But Bec didn't seem to pick this up. Coversation ended very unpleasantly with us demanding Apollo to get to the bottom of this asap.

Another staff , Sofia returnened the call a few moments later. Very pleasant and understands the problem. She quoted a very small cost in removing the old blinds that they installed prior. She scheduled a job for the following Monday 14/02/22. Exactly what we wanted and I felt good that someone understands customer and customer service at Apollo.
Got a call back form Sofia moments later, she had to reschedule the job to Tuesday 15/02/22 due to scheduling issues. Fine but I started seeing how unorganized this place is.

15/02/22 -
4pm - Nothing from Apollo, no updates no installer. I had just taken the whole day off to be around.

4.20pm - My wife spoke to Nara. Nara apologied saying she had not seen the installer the whole day and not sure if he worked today. Said she'll get Sofia to call us back.

4.27pm - Installer calls up and says it's late today and he can't make it anymore.

4.59pm - Sofia calls back saying that we should have received a call from the installer. Yes we did, at end of the day for job that's so delayed where the full payment has been made and one , we had to chase up on constantly.Sofia says there's no slot available this week and rescheduling again for NEXT TUESDAY now. They're busy with customer. Now i thought we are customers too, who you've just provided a very poor service .
Any decent business will try to mend this up as soon as they can but not this local business.

Our living area has been unusable as the shutter goes behind an entertainment unit. I had to unplug all the entertainment devices and pulled the unit into the room and it's been like this since.

Anyway the saga continues, will update soon for anyone's keen out there. Might also bring this up with relevent bodies.

Terrible service. Office staff not interested. Rep turned up and lost interest on $10,000 + job. Never received quote!

Don't waste your time calling as they aren't interested in helping.

Extremely poor service. Will never ever buy from apollo again.

Told are shutters would be in before Christmas spoke to them last week to confirm found out today that they won't be installed until the 8th Jan and then got told by the manager the 14th Jan, we had to do all the calling no communication between customer and the company, very poor service, would not recommend.

A brand new awning was chosen and fitted and it makes a huge difference to the house with the front facing the Summer Sun. Their office service was good, the sales rep spot on with his timing and knowledge, and the fitting quick. Glad to have had it done. I recommend you visit them and see for yourself :-)

Our experience has been dismal. Apollo Canberra are really great at asking for money but not so great at delivering what they promised. 3 visits and all we have is one (faulty) zip track blind out of three ordered. Conflicting information, attempt to re install a faulty blind without repair, parts missing, delays etc. Would not recommend at all.

Response to Apollo
As you are well aware we have cancelled the rest of our order due to faulty product, inability to properly install on two occasions already, missing parts and attempting to re install a faulty blind without repair. We have had two companies look at the one blind we have and both have pointed out errors in installation. There is no reason why we would trust Apollo to return. Worst experience.
PS This is the first negative review I have left for a business. Our whole experience with Apollo has been very stressful and disappointing to say the least.

VERY VERY slow. It took exactly three month for our job to be completed. Although the blinds were OK, we wouldn't recommend them if you are in a hurry moving in or renting your place out.

The blinds are good, at least the ones they could be bothered installing. Still waiting for the job to be finished but have no idea when that will be. They demanded full payment weeks before they would install and then "forgot" one of the blinds. Despite contacting them we still have no idea if or when they can be bothered finishing the job they were paid for well in advance.

Very helpful and friendly staff. Service was very quick. We were told our awning will be installed within two weeks. The guys came and did it just after four days. This was a big relief as the summer was particularly terrible at this point in time. I highly recommend.

With plenty of other blinds stores in Canberra, both large and small, selling similar products at similar prices, I cannot see why anyone would choose to endure such poor customer service to shop here.

Was unable to get service after driving to their store, however this was understandable as the single sales girl was busy with another customer and I had not called ahead or booked an appointment.

I left the store and requested an appointment via their web form. After being called back a couple of days later I booked an appointment at my home a week later. Half an hour after the booked time I was called by the sales rep to say he couldn't make it for another 2 hours.