Menu
Login
After researching and calling several hurricane shutters companies which were loaded with orders (in the post-Katrina Florida) and giving us 2 to 9 months waiting period for installation of hurricane shutters, we were finally relieved to find a company that apparently was big enough to manufacture their own shutters and deliver them in until 6 weeks after obtaining the permit in the city of Aventura, where we live. In July/2006 we contracted the SSMF (Shutter System Manufacturing of Florida) and were happy for having our hurricane shutters installed in 2-3 months, still in the hurricane season.
Well,after signing up, our nightmare begun. In spite of being constantly trying to keep in contact with the company, our calls were almost never returned and the chaos seemed to have taken that company,since we hardly were able to talk to the same person twice. Eight months later we are still waiting for the installation! We had people from the company remeasuring our windows twice due to the data they sent to my city wasn't properly done and should have been updated.
In the city of Aventura (where me and my husband have been several times) we were informed that the SSMF was supposed to send reports made by an engineer and they didn't have one (which was confirmed in conversation with one of the owners) and while they don't send, we can't have the permit. Already tired of the situation and after consulting the Better Business Bureau report, we got surprised for the other 38 complaints against that company in the last year (they weren't there when we first consulted the BBB before contracting SSMF!), many of them regarding delivery issues. I tried , then, to contact one of the owners to try to get a refund so I could be able to hire another company (more recommended).
She told me that she didn't have the sum (about 4,100 ) in her bank account at the moment and that she would be compromising herself personally to have my shutters installed in 4- 6 weeks from that day (03/02/07) and she would be sending a letter by fax to my husband's office describing our agreement. Well... The letter wasn't sent and after spending the whole day today on the phone trying to reach the office, nobody picks up the calls!
I'm afraid not to see any shutters or my money back, then... What to do?... Here I leave my complaint, suggesting that NO ONE that wants to have his shutters installed in peace hire this company for the job!
PS: The most amazing is that they keep advertising online in many website as if they are excelling in professionalism (What a joke!).
Please read this article in miami herald about SSMF inc
Upon reading all of the numerous complaints against SSMF, Inc. I would like to say a few things in favor of the company. Avi & his wife are two of the most nicest people you'll will ever meet in your life. Avi himself is a very generous & giving person & this is one of the reasons he got himself into trouble. He had a problem with believing & trusting the wrong people. I know this as a fact because I was employed by him for about a year & 98% of the people who worked for him were as honest as the day is long. Avi's main problem was like that of a child, his eyes were too big for his stomach. He really & truly meant good for everyone & had he not listened to a few underhanded & incompetent employees SSMF, Inc. would truly be one of the largest companies in South Florida. Like I stated above, I worked for this man about a year, I came from a large company to take a position with him because I really & truly believed this was the place where I wanted to finish out my working days before retiring but unfortunately this did not happen. I also lost money but believe it or not there are more important things in life. Hopefully everyone will recover from this unfortunate string of events & get their hurricane protection devices installed in a timely manner.
The owner of ssmf is a criminal! He stole hundreds of thousands of dollars and fled the country.
We are investigating his whereabouts and are looking into his sisters company (atlas hurricane shutters inc in miami) to see if her company is the "new" ssmf front. If so, we plan to file a judgment and attempt to collect our money. Our attorney is looking into it.
My name is William Knowles and i am the general contractor for atlas hurricane shutters we are offended by the allegations expressed by you in this venue; any false allegations placed in writing is considered liable. Any future derogatory remarks that will tarnish Atlas Hurricane Shutters reputation will be met with legal action. Atlas Hurricane Shutters has never been affiliated with Avi Bouman in a professional manner. I will be happy to address any questions related to this matter.