Unhappy with Dealer

[Jan]

Has anyone ever resolved disputes with a dealer other than filing a lawsuit? This particular dealer just does everything his way and never listened to what I, the customer, asked for. What recourse do I have? Can I make him remove the house off my property and reimburse my costs?

I have called every regulatory agency in the State of Arizona to clarify an issue which he didn't perform and they just pass the buck. I'm very desperate and treatment has been horrible because I am a single worman and have no one to speak for me. I really need help!!!

[Jon C. Bensom]

Jan,

If you have an unresolved dispute, the best way to address it is with the state. Most states have a inspector, thru the department of licensing, that they will send out to resolve any disputes, as well as, give the responsible party a time frame on which acknowledged repairs must be completed. They are a mediator between you, the factory and the dealer. Good luck.

Sincerely,

Jon C. Benson
Executive VP Sales & Marketing
Quality Wholesale Homes

[John]

Why do you need anyone to speak for you other than you. Have you gone to the manufacturer and the BBB about your problems and you were not specific about what the problems were. If it is in the construction of the home than it is the manufacturer, set up, trim out than it is the dealer. Visit the dealer, espically on a nice Saturday, and speak to the owner/manager, best to do that in the lobby. Have a list of issues you have and how you would like then resolved. Put a sign in your car window that states your dissapointment so people can see it when you are visiting the owner. Contact a local TV station who has an action line and see if they will take your cause.

Make it uncomfortable and costly for him to not take care of your needs. If he agrees to fix the problems have him put it in writing with a date to be completed. If this does not get an answer book your Saturdays in advance for a dealer visit until he listens.

[Eugene]

Complain to your state agency ASAP.
you can call the toll free number listed below, it will ask you which state you live in.
call 1-800-927-2891

[Jan]

Well, it IS the OWNER that I am unhappy with. He did not set the house as I requested; he did things without letting me know in advance which were the opposite of my requests. I found out what was happening only by stopping by my mfd home location and talk to the workers there. He is always "gone on vacation". Everything just drags on and on. It has now been 3 months and it is not yet halfway finished. Unforunately, he has already been paid through the lender so he just drags his butt. The current situation which is "not being on a permanent foundation" (which by the way I had requested) is something he should be correcting and not letting me do the footwork (like I have had to make umpteen phone calls (HUD, and other state agencies, researching, etc.). Well, basically it's just a can of worms.

Being a single woman I have been pushed to the back burner and my voice is getting weak. Have you ever heard of anyone just telling the dealer to forget it and remove the d---- house off their property? I don't own it yet anyway.

Well, thanks anyway for letting me unload. I'm still going to find the right agencies (including the Attorney General's Office) to complain to. I'm tired of the nightmare and I'm trying to work a fulltime job besides so it's very frustrating.

If you can, stay in touch. But if not, I appreciate your taking the time to reply. It's always good to know someone has heard you.

~ jan ~

[Jan]

Jon ... Part of the dispute is also with the State inspector! It's a very long story but I am thoroughly disgusted with manufactured housing and will probably not live in it for very long (if it ever gets to that point.) My apologies because you're a dealer but I am tired of doing a lot of grunt work and never receiving customer service.
Thanks for taking your time to reply. It's unfortunate there are some dealers who make the manufactured housing industry a real stink-o.
~ jan ~

[Jan]

Part of my problem is with the state agency but I'll consider it. It's a tossup between them and an attorney. Wish me luck because I'm not going to last too much longer. (ha) Thanks for replying.
~jan~

[David Oxhandler]

Jan -

Your problem is not with manufactured housing but with a less than honerable dealer. Any time you make a major purchase the performance of the seller is critical to your satisfaction.

There is no reason that a single woman can not speak for herself if she knows what to say and who to say it to. Whatever complaints about the performance of your manufactured home have not been resolved by the retailer where you purchased the home you should contact the manufacturer that produced the home. If the problems are left unresolved by the factory then you need to contact the state agency where you live that administers the federal code regulating manufactured housing. You can find the contact information for that agency on our site at www.mfdhousing.com/saa It is important to provide the following information with your complaint: First write a numbered list of all the problems. After you have listed each problem then list the dates and names of the people at the dealership and the manufacturer that you spoke to about the problems. Then list the dates that service men came to your home and what they did during that visit. Also be sure to include: Your name, address and a telephone number where you can be reached during the day The name of the manufacturer The serial number and model number of your home The HUD label number (the red tag on the back of the home) The date purchased The name of the retail business who sold you the home. Copies of any correspondence or contacts with the retailer and the manufacturer to resolve the problem. Make copies of this letter. Keep one and send a copy by Certified Mail Return Receipt to: -1- The Dealership where you purchased the home -2- The Manufacturer of the home -3- The Agency that regulates manufactured housing in your state. You can find the contact information for that agency on our site at www.mfdhousing.com/saa Please let us know how you make out. Good Luck.

[rmurray]

Ouch...if the lender has paid for the home...you DO own the home asnd owe money to the lender...Call them and discusss your dilema...

Then take you written contract with your requests in it to an attorney and ask for advice...

[Jan]

David ... This house is not yet even finished with completion of installation.. (It has been 3 months already.) I never knew whom or when subcontractors were there unless I took the time to drive by. Basically, my biggest dispute is that the model I purchased comes with the meter panel attached to the house. The dealer was fully aware of this a year ago. Ten days ago when the utility line was connected to the meter panel, the state inspector (from the Arizona Office of Manufactured Housing) would not approve the connection. Apparently the house is to be on a "permanent foundation". When I called the dealer he tells me he's never installed a manufactured home with the meter panel on the house. He just said that I now had to have a pedestal meter installed. I said no. (I paid for a stem wall which to me should have been a permanent foundation.) I called the factory and found out that if the dealer asks for the foundation instructions they do provide it. So I asked them to mail me a copy. ( Why didn't the dealer?)

The electrical company said they would approve a meter panel on the house if it meets HUD's Permanent Foundations for Manufactured Housing (Type E). So I ordered that book to understand that. Now they say they won't until the State inspector okays it (which he won't). Why does the customer have to do all this work?

The dealer never informed me of what he was doing and what the schedule was. There were other matters which he did that I strongly objected to but he told me he knew what he was doing. I still have a construction loan in place but he has already drawn his lion's share so he will just drag his feet. Also, he now is no longer a dealer for the brand of manufactured home I purchased but I understand he is still obligated. However, getting service from the factory through him will undoubtedly be nil.

I will certainly file a complaint per your suggestion (but the HUD label number and serial number have been covered over. So I don't know the numbers.) They have not been provided to me in writing either. I am also contacting an attorney. This dealer's performance (or non-performance) is simply atrocious.

Thanks for listening and providing me with detailed info as to how to proceed. I enjoy reading the forum and learning new things and that there are so many others out there.

~jan~