Manhattan, NY
I ordered an Agape bathtub from Studio Anise at the end of August 2014, and after being promised a December delivery the tub still has not arrived.
In contacting the manufacturers in Italy directly, I found out that my funds were misappropriated for months and that Paul Anise never paid Agape.
Since December, the delay of the delivery of the bathtub has caused expensive construction delays. Paul Anise is impossible to get in contact with most of the time, and the rest of the time he is full of excuses, flowery explanations, and empty promises.
A year later, I am still fighting Studio Anise for the return of my $7,500 deposit. His terrible business practices have prompted me to initiate a personal lawsuit against Paul Anise and his business.
Google Review
This is a warning: Do not do business with Studio Anise, or with its owner Paul Anis. This business is a scam.
My wife bought a Rolf Benz Sofa there in April 2019. Delivery was promised to be in 8 - 10 weeks. She paid the full price of ca. $10,000 in advance to get the order processed. Nothing happened until September, so we asked. First Paul Anis tried to dodge our inquiries: he did not return phone calls, or respond to emails. When I visited the location personally, he could not escape, but turned to lies: The sofa has been produced. It was ready for shipment. It has arrived at the shipping harbor. There was a problem with the container, but it would be on the next one, etc. None of that was true. In reality, the sofa was never produced by Rolf Benz, due to a lack of payment by Studio Anise.
When you look up the reviews on this website, or on the Better Business Bureau website, you will find a repeating pattern of cases where Paul Anis took customers´ money in advance, and diverted it for purposes other than getting their orders fulfilled. I wonder how Rolf Benz could ever condone these business practises as shown by their Flagship Store.
Google Review
I am having similar experience of people who aren't receiving their fully paid items (I ordered a rolf-benz couch), and the store staff (Paul) is unresponsive. How is this place still in business? What can be done? I have now tried to contact rolf-benz directly, see if that helps..... update January 2020: still have not received my order. the company in Germany is now involved and it appeared that money that was paid in full at the start was never fully forwarded to the manufacturer in Germany, it definitely appears as if some sort of illegal activity is going on here. The owner (Paul) continues to say that the couch is on its way but as of this date it remains in Germany (if in fact it has actually been made at all). the whole experience has been a disaster beyond just a bad customer experience, a traumatizing and exhausting chapter in my life :-(
Google Review
Stay away, this store is scam!!!! We ordered Rolf Benz lounge chairs in April 19, and now it is October, and we still got no delivery. We paid in full in advance in April, and every time we try to get in touch with the store the either don't reply at all, or if we just go there they have like a thousand excuses and tell you it is on a container ship and is on its way. As we are German-speaking, we just got in touch with the manufacturer in Germany directly, and they confirmed that they got the order in April, but never received the money, so they never started producing the chairs!!!!!!
BBB Complaint
We bought furniture from Studio Anise in the amount of approx. $10,000 in mid-February 2019. As requested by the seller, we paid the entire amount immediately up front (via bank wire) and have been promised delivery by mid-June. We are now at the beginning of October (8 months later!) and not only have we not been delivered our furniture, Studio Anise does not know where the furniture is nor when or if it will be delivered. After multiple attempts to locate our order, we have tried to cancel our order and seek refund of the funds paid to Studio Anise. In addition, we have involved an attorney to help us and contact them separately. However, Studio Anise has been ignoring our calls, emails and all other outreaches to them for the past months. Studio Anise has exhibited highly unprofessional and criminal behavior. We have been defrauded out of thousands of dollars by Studio Anise and are seeking your help to resolve the matter. Thank you for your consideration.
New York, NY
Worst retail experience of my entire life. I paid them over $11,000 by check 11 months ago, paid in full for two Rolf Benz chairs and two small ottomans. I still don't have them, can't get my money back. I have been lied to more times than I can count: it's on the next boat, they're on vacation, some import laws have changed, etc. They never take responsibility. Nothing gets resolved, they just move on to blaming someone else, another lie. I have now filed a lawsuit, to which they have not responded. We are asking for our money back and punitive damages. They ought to be in jail because this is tantamount to theft. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THESE LIARS. EVER. FOR ANY REASON.
San Francisco, CA
I ordered an Interlubke cabinet from Studio Anise in August 2019. Paid about $10k up front. I still have never received it.
Paul Anis is running a scam. He makes himself difficult to reach by phone and email, and when you finally manage to, he will make up excuses for why your furniture is "delayed". He's scamming so many people at once that it's difficult for him to keep his story straight. My cabinet was supposedly "on a boat" in February and then "just being finished in the factory" in September.
Interlubke has caught on and removed him from their reseller list, which you can verify online, however he still claims to sell their furniture and is likely still scamming people to this day.
Westport, CT
I am one of the customers who has paid Paul for furniture and after lies after lies as to when the chairs are to be delivered has decided that we want to take action against the Studio Anise and Paul . I know there are a few Yelp members who have had the same experience we have had . If anyone has ideas or wants to comment please email me at Silverboy150@gmail.com
Thank you
Barry Silverstein
Manhattan, NY
Never buy anything from this store! It is a scam. I ordered a couch and 2 chairs from them over a year ago and still have not received it. They do not respond to emails or phone calls. They made me pay in full because it was a custom piece and did not let me pay with credit card. I don't think we will ever get our couch or our money back.
Manhattan, NY
This man took $3,300 from me and never delivered the merchandise. He is a swindler and a thief! DO NOT SHOP HERE!!!!!
New York, NY
this place is a scam, still haven't received furniture; also can't even get money back from the bank because Pul makes you wire the money.
Manhattan, NY
I have had a bad time attempting to receive 3 bar stools from Rolf through Studio Anise. I ordered the bar stools November of 2018. I have continued to follow up and today August 10, 2019 I still can't get an answer to where my bar stools are. I would not recommend to anyone ordering from Studio Anise.
Manhattan, NY
I am having a similar experience with a rolf Benz couch I ordered. I am trying to get Rolf Benz to take more responsibility but they don't seem willing to.....it does seem like an illegal operation, what more can be done I'm wondering......
Manhattan, NY
Paul and Studio Anise are either about to go bankrupt, or con artists, or most likely both. Our experience with him is eerily similar to that of others who have posted reviews here and in other forums. We purchased a Rolf Benz table in November 2018. After two months of delay, the table was delivered with a completely different top and measurements than ordered. Paul and everyone at Studio Anise then simply disappeared for a few months. Whenever he did respond, he said something like "for some reason we missed your email/designer's visit to the store/phone call/voicemail/carrier pigeon" (whatever the modality of the dozens of outreach attempts we'd tried in the meantime). We filed complaints with the NY Consumer Affairs office, we had our lawyer send him several letters, but take it from us - the guy is a pro, practiced in years of the art of ignoring his desperate customers. After almost one year, we finally got a table shipped, which had some massive scratches in it, and most likely was a floor sample he procured second-hand from somewhere. Our best guess is that he asks everyone to pay upfront, then delays shipment by up to a year, then ships you a floor sample, so he can manage his dwindling cash flow. In short, stay away.
San Francisco, CA
This place operates a con scheme. Do not shop here and save yourself months of unpleasant communication. I do not understand why manufacturers work still with Studio Anise, as it reflects badly on them as well.
Manhattan, NY
Horrible company! Takes them forever to get your items. And he never answers the phone! Don't shop here!!!!! He is a scammer!
Manhattan, NY
Beware this store! I made the same mistake as several others listed here. Gave them a check in mid-October to take advantage of "a sale" on a Rolf Benz couch. They said 12-14 weeks for delivery. It's now been more than four months and Paul keeps giving me dates for the couch coming off the production line that turn out to be totally fictitious. First it was mid-January, then mid-February, and now he's not even replying to a series of emails. He claims it's Rolf Benz's fault, but he has no credibility with me at this point.
Washington, DC
They do not keep their promise on delivery. Paid for my Rolf Benz table at the beginning of July for delivery in mid-October. Promised delivery on time. Mid October came, the delivery date shifted to mid November. Followed up on the status, now told delivery at the end of November. Very unprofessional. Absolutely no initiative in informing clients on changed delivery dates. Great brand, not so great dealer.
Google Review
Really bad experience. Ordered a sofa, and paid in full - that was a mistake. After six months, no delivery yet, not even a prospective date. When I call, they dodge. When I email, they do not respond. Possibly this is a scam - they take their customers money, and it just disappears. Avoid doing business with them.
Google Review
I ordered 2 lamps in February 2019. I was told they would be delivered in May. I finally was told my lamps have arrived in October. I had requested updated in April and they never even bothered to respond. When I spoke with the owner he had a million excuses but refused to give me a refund when I said I no longer wanted the lamps. I would never order anything from this shop again. Stay away.
Google Review
These crooks stole my money and will not give me my $5000 back or the merchandise I ordered. Even when I suggested they give me alternate goods since they seemed to not be able to get what I ordered, they just equivocated and dodged. They are simply a scam and nothing more. Excuses and now forcing me to go to court to try and get my money back for which I received exactly NOTHING! Paul Anise will steal your money.
Google Review
Worst decision I ever made. AVOID this store ! We ordered bathroom fixtures in December and paid in full and haven`t received them yet (August !!). The studio owner can not be reached and he is not calling back. Every week another excuse why shipment wasn`t made. It is a disaster. Go somewhere else.
Google Review
This won't let you post without a star so Buyer Beware!! On September 22 2014! My husband & I found an amazing light and paid $1,531.60- half of the price of the light to be delivered in 6-8 weeks. Today is 11/18/2016 still no response, no light, no refund!! HMMMM good thing I'm patient! Just know Paul, we haven't forgotten…
Google Review
Similar experience I am afraid. We ordered Agape products in april 2014 for delivery last summer. Cheque was duly cashed. We are being continuously strung along and no delivery or clear info on when delivery might eventually take place despite regular visits to the shop.
now reading these reviews it looks a lot like a pyramid scheme.
Google Review
Just as described by others, an order for bathroom fixtures (for a total of 7 bathrooms) was placed March 2014 and despite being paid in full, the items have yet to arrive. Dozens of emails and phones calls unanswered, and the sporadic replies are copies of "I assure you we are working on it. We will confirm arrival date." Not only do we not have any information on the status of an order placed over 7 months ago, the absence of these fixtures is also causing construction delays, which don't come cheap, either. Studio Anise is clearly running an illegal operation.
Google Review
The facts: We paid Paul in full for a couch in August of 2013 and were told to expect delivery that December. That deadline passed and when we tried to ascertain a new timeline all we seemed to get were vague, evasive answers and conflicting information. After many unreturned calls and emails we made a personal visit to the store and ultimately had to contact the manufacturer directly. They apologized for Studio Anise's delinquency and arranged for the final delivery themselves. After all was said and done, we didn't received the couch until the end of May 2014. A painful process all around.
Google Review
As with several previous customers who reviews Anise Studio, I have am sad to say this store is a scam. Avoid shopping at Anise Studio and you will never have to make endless dean-ended phone calls to Paul Anise. My story is same as everyone else on here who got scammed. I prepaid for an order for bathroom fixtures and never saw anything ... It's been over a year and this is still ongoing. I regret raking with them.
Google Review
Placed an order for a lighting fixture for a client 4 months ago. 2 months delayed and getting vague answers. "Did not come in the shipment from Italy, maybe the next one." How are these people still on business.
Google Review
Disgustingly unreliable service and total scam of a business. It is 2 months past delivery date and still haven't received the furniture with conflicting information from unprofessional staff, who we have had to follow-up on with relentless calls and emails. Do yourself a favor and boycott this store. I would give it 0 stars if I could.
BBB Review
These crooks stole my money and never delivered the merchandise. Now chasing them over two years and refuse to refund my money or provide alernative merch. They lost the line and decided thus they could just keep my money. Paid them by wire like an idiot, never again. Will be taking them to court.
BBB Review
I ordered 3 stools from them and wired the money to get the sale discount. I was told November. After not receiving them in November I asked for a copy of my order since I never received an “official” receipt. I finally received a receipt On December 7th from “Helen” a temporary receptionist who sent me the order with a note “As per your request, please see the attached a copy of your invoice for (3x) Romy stools which has been delivered to you.” I quickly wrote back that the stools have NOT been received!!!! I called and emailed and received no response! Then COVID hit and I waited, and waited for stores to be open. I wrote to Paul Anise on March 9th and he said “I am checking and will get an update on production. We will ship them right away as soon as they are out of production.” Same old story!!!!! June 17, 2020 I wrote requesting a refund and sent a certified letter. I wrote again on July 31st with a photo on their shop stating they are available online and on the phone. I received a reply dated August 3rd “I apologize for not writing you earlier. I am writing to confirm your stools are in production. As soon as they are ready we will ship them. I will write your again tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest as soon as I receive the pick up date.” I have not heard a word. He has had my money for 10 months! Don’t purchase from this company!
BBB Review
Beware! Don’t be fooled by the glamorous showroom at 21 Greene Street in Soho. Shopping at Studio Anise is anything but quality and customer service! On Nov18, 2018 we ordered a dining table and chairs and paid the same day. The timeline for manufacturing in Germany and transport to the US was confirmed to be 13 weeks, Mid Feb’2019. After a seemingly never-ending ordeal filled with most unpleasant interactions, the actual delivery took place last week on Tuesday, Feb4, 2020. During the course of one year we went through the worst customer experience imaginable. Contacting the owner and his team on a monthly basis to obtain information about the remains of our merchandize left us with unanswered phone calls and the owner denying himself by his constantly changing and unknowing assistants. On rare occasions, when we did get to speak to the manager, we were repeatedly told that the respective shipping container is on it’s way, expected to arrive in “two weeks”. In every confrontation with Studio Anise we were lied to and cheated. By June 2019 we started to fear possible financial issues or even the threat of insolvency. In the attempt to secure our purchase, we contacted the German supplier directly. It was confirmed that the items were indeed produced but not paid for by Studio Anise. Only with the involvement of the German manufacturer and increased pressure, Studio Anise eventually initiated the payment on Nov 26, 2019, with a delay of more than one year. The shipment was arranged immediately afterwards. We never received an explanation by Studio Anise why our payment was held back or what the money has been used for. In retrospect we learned through various review sites that many other clients experienced the same treatment. For further details please search for STUDIO ANISE on ******.***, **********, bbb.org, ************* *********** We DO NOT recommend doing business with Studio Anise. In case of questions please feel free to contact us!
BBB Review
Warning: This business is a scam. Do not do business with them, or its owner Paul Anis. My wife bought a Rolf Benz sofa there in April 2019. Paul Anis requested a full advance payment of about $10,000 to get the order processed, and the sofa produced in Germany. He promised delivery would be in 8 - 10 weeks. When nothing had happened until September, my wife and I tried to contact Paul Anis. However, he dodged every phone call, and did not respond to emails. So I went to his place, where he could not escape. Now he turned to lies instead: The sofa had been produced. It was ready for shipment. It had arrived at the harbor of Hamburg. There was a problem with the container, but it would be on the next one, etc. None of that was true. In reality, the sofa was never put into production by Rolf Benz, due to a lack of payment from Studio Anise. However, Rolf Benz knew full well of my wife´s order, and that she had paid the retail price in advance, but did nothing to protect her - or others. I wonder how Rolf Benz, a formerly solid German company which is now under Chinese ownership, could condone the business practises of diverting the customers´ monies as shown by Studio Anise and Paul Anis. They must have learned about it from the internet and from repeating customers´ complaints. Instead, they exposed their customers to losing their money. And above all, they continued to call Studio Anise their Flagship Store - something that manufacturers normally would be proud of as a premier representation of their names and products. Here, the Rolf Benz Flagship Store in NYC is a scam.
BBB Complaint
We ordered two sinks on May **** and paid in full by check for $1336.50. We were told it would be a 12 week lead time. After 20 weeks we contacted the owner (Oct *, 2019) only to find out that the sinks had not been shipped from Europe. We told him that it had taken too long and please refund our money. As of today January *, 2020 we have not received our refund. We have e-mailed and called several times and he will not answer the phone or return our calls or e-mails.
BBB Complaint
I ordered a couch and 2 chairs over 13 months ago. We have not received them. The delivery estimate was 12-16 weeks and we have far surpassed that. The customer service is non-existent. I call and email with no response. I have had to go to the store multiple times to get anyone to talk to me. They constantly change their answer about where the furniture is.
BBB Complaint
This is a high end furniture store in soho, manhattan. I bought a custom couch in May which is made by their german supplier rolf benz (freistil is the subdivision of rolf benz that makes this particular couch). The store made me pay by check the full amount up front and told me the couch would take 14-16 wks to be made and shipped to new York from germany. I started inquiring in late august/September as to the status, by email and phone, and got no response. Finally I did get the salesperson (same person his name is Paul who seems to be the owner or the only person who is in the store) on the phone and he assured me the couch would be completed in 2 wks and shipped probably in new York by middle of September. I heard nothing so by end of September I started emailing again to inquire, again no response. I started looking online for reviews of this store and found that others have had similar experiences, i.e., ordering things from the store and either actually NEVER receiving them, or if they do, way longer than promised (sometimes over a year) and in damaged/subpar condition. I became worried and emailed rolf benz directly, and then called them. I eventually learned from them that the couch order, though they had received it, was never put into production because they were asking the store for more money before they started working on it, and had received no response. Coincidentally I received an email back from Paul (after weeks of no response) apologizing and again assuring me that the couch would be in new York in a few weeks, it was ready for shipping. This obviously was in direct contradiction to what rolf benz had told me, so I forwarded Paul their email and said what about this information. He wrote back a few days later again apologizing and making excuses, saying he sent them the money and the couch order would be expedited. At the same time, rolf benz wrote back (after I complained that he was clearly being dishonest/lying, and they were responsible for the situation since he is their vendor in New York) saying only that studio anise would rectify the situation and I should deal with them/him. This is obviously unacceptable since I do not trust him at all and believe he is involved in some sort of scam/embezzling scheme (since I had paid in full at the outset, he obviously either didn't send them anything, or sent them less than the total amount), and feel the only solution is to get my money refunded, since at minimum I will be waiting another 8-12 wks or longer for the couch. Please advise as to what are my options. I really believe (as some other do online) that something illegal is going on here.
