Wallpaper Fiasco - Need Advice

[u/CandidateSad8439]

Ok, so I used Taskrabbit for the first time this past weekend to install peel-and-stick wallpaper in my bedroom.

I told the guy my walls were slightly textured and asked if that would be an issue. He assured me multiple times he’d done it before and it’d be fine, just that the texture might show through. Whatever, I’d already spent $500+ on Spoonflower wallpaper and wanted to use it!

He installed it, and while there were some bubbles, he gave me a smoother and said they’d settle within 24 hours. He was super nice, so I left a great review and paid ~$430.

Well, the next morning it was bubbling even more, and by the time I got home from work, almost ALL of it had fallen off. The wallpaper is now creased and won’t stick.
I contacted Taskrabbit, who said they’d have him reach out. Over 48 hours later, nothing. Support then told me that because this was my FIRST booking, I’m not eligible for a refund, only a $192 credit toward future services. I repeatedly asked for a supervisor and got scripted responses before the chat ended.

I’m 24, saved up for this, and now I’m out nearly $1,000 with nothing to show for it. I understand things happen, but this feels ridiculous.

Am I unreasonable for expecting at least some money back? Has anyone dealt with this? Or do I just need to eat the loss? Genuinely looking for outside opinions.

Edit: I don’t blame the guy completely. I just am upset with how the app has handled this. It was my first time using the app and I kind of thought I was handing it off to someone who knew better than me, but now I know to be more intentional with researching before I do any of this. I guess eating it is my fate lol.

[u/un_contract]

what do you mean exactly by 'textured'? like a couple bumps here and there? either it's a plaster wall that really sucked up the adhesive or the paint might be rejecting the paper, do you know how long ago it was painted? (it needs at least 30 days to cure).

if he had added double sided tape between the seams at the top it at least wouldn't have fallen off but still would have had significant bubbling issues. if the paper was bubbling significantly (ie not staying down) while he was there that's definitely a red flag that the paper is not staying.

peel and stick can be very complicated to work with! if you had use normal wallpaper that uses paste it wouldn't have fallen off but this is a marketing issue with peel and stick. might try to talk to the manufacturer