NOTE: This text has been added following the response to this review from Megan at Chelsea Plank…read moreand an email exchange yesterday with their Sales Manager. First, Megan's assumption that Chelsea Plank was not contacted by the retailer is erroneous, the retailer did reach out to them and their Sales Manager did respond to the retailer, I saved the original email exchanges with our retailer who mentions the Sales Manager by name. At the time the retailer replied "he (the Chelsea Plank sales manager) stated that the knots in the flooring are standard due to it being a character floor. And he does not supply or have recommendations on an epoxy to fill." I replied through their website yesterday as Megan instructed and was contacted by the same Sales Manager that responded to our retailer. He, like Megan, blamed the retailer, saying it failed to adequately describe to us the characteristics of the flooring we ordered. He completely ignored our complaint regarding the fully open holes in flooring, going so far as to say; "From the pictures, it looks that they are partially open (not all the way through)" despite my photo showing the pencils through the flooring(!), and my description of the problem in item 2 of my review below, quote "we found about half a dozen fully open knots that the installer overlooked" and also completely ignoring item 3 of my review, quote "It's been 4 months since installation, the 'partially open knots' continue to crack and become fully open knots!" I asked the Sales Manager to carefully re-read my concerns so he understands the issues before replying again, it's been 24 hours and no reply has been received. I stand behind my original comments regarding the poor quality of the Character Grade flooring and of their customer service. --------------Original review begins below---------------- We purchased the Craftsman Series, Heirloom Red Oak flooring from Chelsea Plank because we wanted hardwood flooring with a lot of character. 1. When the flooring was delivered I noticed a damaged box with wood splinters protruding. I told the delivery person I wanted to open and inspect the box before accepting it. I was told, "Sir, if you open the box I can't take it back." So I replied, "Then take it back and bring me another one." He replied, "If I take it back I can't guarantee the replacement will be of the same lot number, and so it might not match the others." So either accept the box and hope for the best, or reject it and hope for the best. I accepted the box but set it aside to be opened last if necessary. We had sufficient flooring to complete the job and that box was returned for a refund (we were charged a restocking fee, I thought this was inappropriate given the box was delivered damaged). 2. The Craftsman Series is a 'Character grade' hardwood. Chelsea Plank says that this flooring is "character grade lumber that includes partially open knots, bird peck, worm holes and mineral streaks". That's fine, we like wood with character and it's why we chose it, however after installation we found about half a dozen fully open knots that the installer overlooked, their warranty claims "each box may contain a small percentage of defects (normally less than 1%)" but our experience says 5% will be defective if a fully open knot is considered a defect. To the installer's credit he returned and filled each with a special blend of epoxy wood filler at his own effort and expense (when we asked Chelsea Plank for advice about filling the knots they said they didn't recommend it, but didn't offer an alternative), the only other option would have been to pull up the defective planks and ask for replacements. 3. It's been 4 months since installation, the "partially open knots" continue to crack and become fully open knots! My wife had been using a vacuum with a hard floor attachment and we discovered it has been sucking up the loose wood from the cracking knots. So now I'm keeping an eye on the floor and as I observe knots cracking I apply wood epoxy to secure them in place. 4. We reached out the Chelsea Plank through the retailer who we bought the flooring from, through their contact page on their website, and even to them through linkedin but basically we've been ignored. The Craftsman series is their highest grade of the 'Character grade' flooring, if that's true then God help you if you purchase the Cottage or Lodge series. I assume our experience with their customer service after the purchase, i.e., non-existent, will be true for others regardless of the grade of flooring you chose. These are the reasons I can't recommend Chelsea Plank Flooring.

Used Chelsea flooring on first floor remodel 6 years ago and am extremely happy with it to this…read moreday. Now doing the upstairs. Contacted them last minute, and they were able to accommodate my order. Jessica was extremely helpful, as were the rest of the staff. GregO Riverview, Mi