Seeking Advice: Issues with Jenny Yi, an STR Designer

Seeking Advice: Issues with Jenny Yi, an STR Designer

San Francisco, California(CA) · Member since 2018 · 43 posts · 15 votes

I want to share my experience with Jenny Yi, an STR designer in case others have had similar issues. I hired Jenny Yi to design our latest STR in person, she demanded that I pay the full amount of her services upfront, $7,500, which I thought was strange as we are used to paying half upfront and half once it's completed, but proceeded anyway because a couple of people recommended her. Unfortunately, my experience has been problematic, to put it mildly:

  • * Communication: There were significant communication issues, including difficulty scheduling calls, which is still an ongoing problem.
  • * Additional Charges: Jenny requested that I deposit on her checking account an additional $20-25k for her to purchase furniture, which I refused because I thought it was very strange, opting to give my card # instead.
  • * Work Quality: Jenny never showed up to the house, she sent 2 people instead, she never mentioned she would not show up herself, she never asked for approval to send two others instead, they did not complete the job, and there were multiple unauthorized charges on my card.
  • * Receipts and Expenses: Once I brought to Jenny's attention that we were 20k above budget, she refused for days to give me the receipts, saying that I needed to give her my credit card statement first. After a lot of back and forth, she proceeded to share a few receipts, with multiple duplicate receipts, that do not total to amount that I was charged on my card, and there are discrepancies in the charges such as multiple mattresses, multiple coffee makers, 116 towels, etc. She ended up "finding" 5k that was put on other clients orders, she refunded 5k and still refuses to get on a call to review all the receipts for the remainder of unauthorized charges.
  • * No calls accepted to review receipts: I have asked Jenny several times for the last 3+ weeks to get on a call to review the receipts and all of the items that are in the house, I have given her several deadlines to resolve the issue, she has never accepted any of my invitations to join any calls despite me pleading her to do so as my credit card payment is now due and has a 29.99% interest rate if not paid.

    I have found several people that were also affected with just 2 facebook posts. I’ve reported this to the FTC and have legal counsel. If anyone has had similar experiences with Jenny Yi or has advice on further steps, please share.
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Sarah KensingerPro Member
Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
2y
Quote from @V.G Jason:
Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:
Quote from @V.G Jason:
Quote from @Steffany Boldrini:
Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

I have never heard of her before but recommend a number of other STR designers. Unless the designer has a good social/online footprint with designs I like, I would think twice before hiring them no matter what others say.


 I picked her exactly because she had a good social and online footprint!! Found several others affected by this individual.

Social media is a lie. Why would you believe that?

You are in control of how the set up works, if you need interior designer help. They suggest, you buy and place.
Social media is the new way to market and sell things, anyone not doing it is missing a HUGE opportunity! The designer talked about has a completely different account then the designers I usually recommend, and I would have had red flags to begin with. Also, I recommend someone follow a company/person/business on social media for a few months and see if they would be a good fit.  
I know what social media is. I don't live in a ****ing cave.

It doesn't contest my statement--it's a lie.
I wasn't speaking as if no one knew about social media. I was speaking about the power of marketing on social media. There are lies everywhere in life, even some right on this forum! We don't let those people control us; we control them which is why it's impossible for anyone on this forum who is sketchy to get ahold of me. With social media it's up to the user to follow authentic genuine people/accounts, and it's up to the user to post authentic genuine content. We control what we see, follow, and share, not the other way around!

I'm not sure why this caused such a reaction, but I can say the language above is completely unnecessary and out of order on this forum.  
See this reply in the discussion

20 Replies

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  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    2y

    Can you report her to the police for theft?

  • San Francisco, California(CA) · Member since 2018 · 43 posts · 15 votes
    2y

    yes, we are doing that as well!

  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    2y

    Call the DA as well.

  • San Francisco, California(CA) · Member since 2018 · 43 posts · 15 votes
    2y

    thank you Bruce

  • Investor · Brevard County, FL · Member since 2021 · 4 posts · 1 vote
    2y

    I had similar issues with her as well. Her communication was abysmal, was only ever able to speak to her once on the phone. Long delays between emails or texts. Should have been my first red flag.

    She first sent two others to do the initial design, never informed me that she would not be there. The first design could have been done by a middle schooler. Burlap on the wall, postage stamp rug for a large living room, hodgepodge of items around the house with no real theme. They also left the house a mess. Broken glass lantern by the pool, smoke detector hanging in hallway, broken ceiling light in the bedroom, face plates missing or missing screws. Had to spend additional money to get everything fixed.  

    She did return to the house to fix the theme a few months later. Giving it a proper theme and left it in decent condition. I initially accepted it as an improvement. Living out of state, I accepted the photos she sent at face value. Upon visiting the house, I found everything to be cheap and poorly done. She used permanent marker and craft supplies as decor. 

    When I reached out to a design group for advice on if I could work around the theme or if I needed to scrap the whole thing and start over, she contacted me and wanted a do over. When I told her that we already had her try again and I would prefer if she just paid me back for the handyman services I had to incur after the first round, she stopped communicating with me. 

    It does appear that all the receipts were accurate, nothing that was purchased that didn’t show up somewhere in the house. Though I was never given an itemized invoice of where money was going. Based on what did end up in the house, she spent very little on actual decor for the house. Not sure her “design” fee or what was spent on travel. 

  • Member since 2024 · 28 posts · 5 votes
    2y

    Is she the Youtuber? 

  • Sarah KensingerPro Member
    Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y

    I have never heard of her before but recommend a number of other STR designers. Unless the designer has a good social/online footprint with designs I like, I would think twice before hiring them no matter what others say.

  • San Francisco, California(CA) · Member since 2018 · 43 posts · 15 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Paul Lagno:

    Is she the Youtuber? 

     she is all over social media, found quite a few others in a similar situation

  • San Francisco, California(CA) · Member since 2018 · 43 posts · 15 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

    I have never heard of her before but recommend a number of other STR designers. Unless the designer has a good social/online footprint with designs I like, I would think twice before hiring them no matter what others say.


     I picked her exactly because she had a good social and online footprint!! Found several others affected by this individual.

  • Sarah KensingerPro Member
    Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Steffany Boldrini:
    Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

    I have never heard of her before but recommend a number of other STR designers. Unless the designer has a good social/online footprint with designs I like, I would think twice before hiring them no matter what others say.


     I picked her exactly because she had a good social and online footprint!! Found several others affected by this individual.

    I can imagine. I have many questions just looking at her accounts, the biggest is why all her followers look bought/fake.
  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    2y

    Sorry to hear that! I would do what you are doing here on a bigger scale - social media, local markets she operates in Facebook groups, etc.  Good luck!

  • V.G JasonPro Member
    Investor · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Steffany Boldrini:
    Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

    I have never heard of her before but recommend a number of other STR designers. Unless the designer has a good social/online footprint with designs I like, I would think twice before hiring them no matter what others say.


     I picked her exactly because she had a good social and online footprint!! Found several others affected by this individual.

    Social media is a lie. Why would you believe that?

    You are in control of how the set up works, if you need interior designer help. They suggest, you buy and place.
  • Contractor · Sheboygan, WI · Member since 2016 · 921 posts · 266 votes
    2y

    @Steffany Boldrini As a lesson to other people hiring interior decorators online, can you please tell everyone what caution flags should have told you not to hire this person?

    Did anyone advise you, mentor you ,on how to find and vet an interior decorator?

    Did you have an agreement in writing signed by both you and the designer regarding payment schedule and purchases?

  • Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Todd Goedeke:

    @Steffany Boldrini As a lesson to other people hiring interior decorators online, can you please tell everyone what caution flags should have told you not to hire this person?

    Did anyone advise you, mentor you ,on how to find and vet an interior decorator?

    Did you have an agreement in writing signed by both you and the designer regarding payment schedule and purchases?

    I would be wary of any service where you pay a lump sum and they provide the items. Way too much room for fraud. Or at best you overpay and the "designer" buys the cheapest junk furnishings possible. 

  • Rental Property Investor · south carolina and michigan · Member since 2023 · 348 posts · 226 votes
    2y

    most of these "youtubers" etc social influencers are nothing more than paper tigers.

  • Sarah KensingerPro Member
    Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @V.G Jason:
    Quote from @Steffany Boldrini:
    Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

    I have never heard of her before but recommend a number of other STR designers. Unless the designer has a good social/online footprint with designs I like, I would think twice before hiring them no matter what others say.


     I picked her exactly because she had a good social and online footprint!! Found several others affected by this individual.

    Social media is a lie. Why would you believe that?

    You are in control of how the set up works, if you need interior designer help. They suggest, you buy and place.
    Social media is the new way to market and sell things, anyone not doing it is missing a HUGE opportunity! The designer talked about has a completely different account then the designers I usually recommend, and I would have had red flags to begin with. Also, I recommend someone follow a company/person/business on social media for a few months and see if they would be a good fit.  
  • San Francisco, California(CA) · Member since 2018 · 43 posts · 15 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Todd Goedeke:

    @Steffany Boldrini As a lesson to other people hiring interior decorators online, can you please tell everyone what caution flags should have told you not to hire this person?

    Did anyone advise you, mentor you ,on how to find and vet an interior decorator?

    Did you have an agreement in writing signed by both you and the designer regarding payment schedule and purchases?


    Great question Todd, first red flag is asking for full payment upfront. I went through it anyway bc she had a good footprint online, I liked the designs, and a couple of ppl at another STR group recommended her (not an excuse, I was super busy and thought I was dealing with a professional). Then her communication was horrendous, with me having to follow up several times before getting an answer, then she would respond to 1 out of 3 questions. Fast forward to when they were there (but not the designer, she never went and never told me she wouldn't go) I see my card was charged a huge amount, including an additional 5k from her own company, above and beyond the 7.5k I had sent her!! She said "oh a few items will be returned", then she wouldn't give the receipts, and the rest is on my post. Lesson learned to never trust anyone on social media. You can see all the other victims we found so far here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312695317484928/posts/871178041636650/

  • V.G JasonPro Member
    Investor · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:
    Quote from @V.G Jason:
    Quote from @Steffany Boldrini:
    Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

    I have never heard of her before but recommend a number of other STR designers. Unless the designer has a good social/online footprint with designs I like, I would think twice before hiring them no matter what others say.


     I picked her exactly because she had a good social and online footprint!! Found several others affected by this individual.

    Social media is a lie. Why would you believe that?

    You are in control of how the set up works, if you need interior designer help. They suggest, you buy and place.
    Social media is the new way to market and sell things, anyone not doing it is missing a HUGE opportunity! The designer talked about has a completely different account then the designers I usually recommend, and I would have had red flags to begin with. Also, I recommend someone follow a company/person/business on social media for a few months and see if they would be a good fit.  

    I know what social media is.

    It doesn't contest my statement--it's a lie.

  • Sarah KensingerPro Member
    Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @V.G Jason:
    Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:
    Quote from @V.G Jason:
    Quote from @Steffany Boldrini:
    Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

    I have never heard of her before but recommend a number of other STR designers. Unless the designer has a good social/online footprint with designs I like, I would think twice before hiring them no matter what others say.


     I picked her exactly because she had a good social and online footprint!! Found several others affected by this individual.

    Social media is a lie. Why would you believe that?

    You are in control of how the set up works, if you need interior designer help. They suggest, you buy and place.
    Social media is the new way to market and sell things, anyone not doing it is missing a HUGE opportunity! The designer talked about has a completely different account then the designers I usually recommend, and I would have had red flags to begin with. Also, I recommend someone follow a company/person/business on social media for a few months and see if they would be a good fit.  
    I know what social media is. I don't live in a ****ing cave.

    It doesn't contest my statement--it's a lie.
    I wasn't speaking as if no one knew about social media. I was speaking about the power of marketing on social media. There are lies everywhere in life, even some right on this forum! We don't let those people control us; we control them which is why it's impossible for anyone on this forum who is sketchy to get ahold of me. With social media it's up to the user to follow authentic genuine people/accounts, and it's up to the user to post authentic genuine content. We control what we see, follow, and share, not the other way around!

    I'm not sure why this caused such a reaction, but I can say the language above is completely unnecessary and out of order on this forum.  
  • Member since 2025 · 1 post · 0 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Steffany Boldrini:

    I want to share my experience with Jenny Yi, an STR designer in case others have had similar issues. I hired Jenny Yi to design our latest STR in person, she demanded that I pay the full amount of her services upfront, $7,500, which I thought was strange as we are used to paying half upfront and half once it's completed, but proceeded anyway because a couple of people recommended her. Unfortunately, my experience has been problematic, to put it mildly:

    • * Communication: There were significant communication issues, including difficulty scheduling calls, which is still an ongoing problem.
    • * Additional Charges: Jenny requested that I deposit on her checking account an additional $20-25k for her to purchase furniture, which I refused because I thought it was very strange, opting to give my card # instead.
    • * Work Quality: Jenny never showed up to the house, she sent 2 people instead, she never mentioned she would not show up herself, she never asked for approval to send two others instead, they did not complete the job, and there were multiple unauthorized charges on my card.
    • * Receipts and Expenses: Once I brought to Jenny's attention that we were 20k above budget, she refused for days to give me the receipts, saying that I needed to give her my credit card statement first. After a lot of back and forth, she proceeded to share a few receipts, with multiple duplicate receipts, that do not total to amount that I was charged on my card, and there are discrepancies in the charges such as multiple mattresses, multiple coffee makers, 116 towels, etc. She ended up "finding" 5k that was put on other clients orders, she refunded 5k and still refuses to get on a call to review all the receipts for the remainder of unauthorized charges.
    • * No calls accepted to review receipts: I have asked Jenny several times for the last 3+ weeks to get on a call to review the receipts and all of the items that are in the house, I have given her several deadlines to resolve the issue, she has never accepted any of my invitations to join any calls despite me pleading her to do so as my credit card payment is now due and has a 29.99% interest rate if not paid.

      I have found several people that were also affected with just 2 facebook posts. I’ve reported this to the FTC and have legal counsel. If anyone has had similar experiences with Jenny Yi or has advice on further steps, please share.

    I totally get where you're coming from. I had a similar nightmare working with Jenny Yi, and I feel compelled to share my experience too, so others don’t go through the same thing.

    From the beginning, communication was a huge issue. I’d often have to wait days for a response, and when Jenny did reply, it was vague and didn’t answer my questions. I felt like I was constantly chasing her down for updates, which added a ton of unnecessary stress to the whole project.

    The design itself was incredibly disappointing. What she delivered was half-finished and poorly done—definitely not what we discussed or agreed upon. It seemed like there was no real effort or attention to detail. I had to step in and hire handymen to finish the job, plus go out and buy the things she failed to purchase, even though we had clearly outlined everything in advance. This added so much to the overall cost and took up more of my time than I expected.

    Overall, it was a huge waste of time, money, and energy. Jenny Yi’s lack of professionalism and work ethic left me with a lot of stress and frustration. I would definitely avoid her services if you want to save yourself the trouble and get quality work. Very disappointed.

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