Any illumination from industry people?

[Jim Flynn]

Hi. Below is a copy of a email I sent to Palm Harbor on 3/5/02. Have had no response, to date. Not looking for any Palm Harbor specific answers here, but perhaps some illumination about the selling process?

"My wife and I have been exploring the possibility of purchasing a
manufactured home for a couple of years now. Most recently, in the York,
SC and Wilmington, NC areas. We have researched and read extensively
about various companies, and Palm Harbor would most likely be our first
choice. Quite a bit of this info searching has been online.

However, when we mentioned the payments listed on your web site, and the
"Special Incentive Pricing available only for ecustomers", as stated on
the site, we get blank stares. We ask what total the payments are based
on (How much is the house price that it's based on, we realize actual
payments vary on lots of factors), and are told that those payments are
not realistic (which we know), but the basic question is ignored. As for
the 'Special Pricing', we've yet to be shown what the difference in
price would be. Would it be possible to get some answers?

The one thing that has held us back from buying a Palm Harbor home, or
anyone else's for that matter, more than anything else, is the whole
sales process. We realize that it's a competitive business, but it's
worse than dealing with the fabled used car sales pitch. The 1st
question is invariably some variation of "How much of a monthly payment
are you looking at?". If we say, for example, $800, how do we know the
home couldn't actually be bought for $600. We don't think your sales
people are dishonest, but we assume they do work on commission. And the
fact that they seem to have no knowledge of our above questions, or
evade them, doesn't give us lots of confidence.

We once stopped in a independent dealer in Ohio (they sold Skyline and
one other brand). In each model, taped to the kitchen counter, was a
copy of the floor plan, and a price list. The price list gave the MSRP
of the basic home, and what it included. Then it gave the options that
where in the model you were standing in, and the dealer's total price.
The variables were land cost, and site prep. It made it very easy to
compare models. This experience was what made us continue to explore
manufactured homes, when we moved south. If our very 1st experience had
been what we have found since we moved down here, with all the prices
kept secret, we'd never have pursued it any further.

Thanks you for your time."

Thank you, in advance, for any info.

Jim & Brenda Flynn

[r murray]

You have not mentioned if the sales center is factory owned or locally owned..I would recommed the local dealer if there are any..I have a mortgage friend in Willmington at Irwin Mortgage (his name is Peter McCallion)...you might check with information and call him..He knows most of the dealers in your area and might be able to help..

Thius kind of false advertising is uncalled for by one of the biggest in the industry...I am surprised they have not even answered you yet...Maybe they forwarded your email to the blank stare sales person...

[Jim Flynn]

The Palm Harbor dealers we visited were factory owned, at least from what the web site told us. There isn't a indie PH dealer near Wilmington, as far as we can determine.

Will keep your friend's name for future use, thanks.

Jim & Brenda

[Threnody]

The fine print is:

Monthly Payments
from $385.00*

* E-customer monthly payment with approved credit based on 10% down, 7.25% APR, 360 months, 8 point buydown and delivery within 50 miles. This payment includes home only with delivery, set-up fees, central air, sales tax, title and limited options only. No other options or improvements are included. Payments are for comparison purposes only. Actual payments may vary based upon options, amount financed, interest rate, customer credit history, trade or other variables beyond our control. See retailer for details.

Like my husband said "10% of what?"

[r murray]

My financial calulator says..price..$58,062.78 less $5806.72 down...

[Stuart James]

Jim,

I am the Sales Mgr for Palm Harbor Homes in Lynchburg Va, if there are any questions you would like to have answered, I can try to help you were others left off. Just thought I would throw the offer out there.

Sincerely
Stuart James
PHH Lynchburg Va
434-821-7124