Palm Harbor high pressure sales

[Pat]

My wife experienced a high pressure, Palm Harbor salesman, in Houston, so I tried another dealer in San Antonio. Same thing. They took me in the office, closed the door, and proceeded to go through their sales book, showing all the great features of their home. He also was filling out a sheet of questions. He was trying to control the conversation every step of the way. I then realized I may be in there an hour, so I said I wanted to see a home now. He said that he would get fired if he did not talk to me first. I said, I don't want anyone to get fired, so I left. The last time I experienced that kind of high pressure sales, was a life insurance salesman selling annuities.

[RuthieG]

Pat.......Sounds like you had an agressive salesman. We have visited Palm Harbor and I can only say nice things about salesman. He was very good at his job and very knowledgable about his product. I suspect that most sales peope do want to do some office qualifying etc before they show. I can't think of a single realtor (for instance) that took me to view a house without some pre qualifying. I suspect that the only time they actually have people touring at their leisure is at an open house type situation. Once you get the speil out of the way perhaps the veiwing would start...the fun part. I think Palm Harbor is a good home and probably worth another visit on your part. Maybe next time your salesman will be a little more cooperative.

Did you see the PH's at all? I would be interested in hearing what you have to say about them.

[Pat]

I did not get to see the homes. I hear they are good, but I am not going to play their game. I was buying with cash and did not have time for the old used car salesman tactic of "What is your price range?" or "What are you needs?" Just give me a floor plan, a specification sheet and a short talk on the positives of the home.
I suspect the homes are good, but you may pay a premium.
We are buying another brand today.

[RuthieG]

Pat what did you decide to buy? Since we are definitely in the market I am curious as to what you bought and what the selling points were for you?

[Charlotte]

I've had two different experiences with Palm Harbor sales people. The first one, in Grand Junction, Co., actually insisted on taking my credit history and then checked my credit BEFORE I got to see a home. Then when I got it through the grey matter in his head that I wasn't ready to buy they almost literally took me by the arm and showed me out the door.

The 2nd one was entirely different. This person in Farmington, N.M., took time to show me and my brother and sister-in-law through homes of the size that I want, and answered my many questions. After I told him as well that I'm not ready buy yet. I learned a lot from him and IF I decide to go the Palm Harbor direction I'll go back to Farmington.

[Pat]

I was buying for my father-in-law who overuled my choice, and selected an average home based on the floor plan he liked, not quality of home. I do not want to recommend the home, because it was just an average home.
My choice would have been a Solitaire home. They have house standard painted 1/2" sheetrock walls, tape and float, no joints, compared to wallpaper on 3/8" sheetrock, Wood/plywood cabinets, plywood floors, a strong floor and roof framing system. Also the formaldehyde concentration should be lower, with less synthetic materials.
I think they are local to the Oklahoma/Texas area, so check their website to see how far they go.
There are other posts on this forum for the Solitaire home. Also check other forums on this product.
If you had a lot of time, get a new NADA book on the used home values, that will tell you what they are worth. If you lose 10k by driving off the lot, you may want to consider another brand. Some dealers will let you use theirs.