PROBLEMS WITH THE DEALERSHIP

[Craig]

Author: Craig (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 03-13-04 10:12

I just bought what will be my dream home. bought a 1941 sq ft Homes of Merit tape & textured thought the entire home upgraded everything, manufactured in Lake City, FL. The dealership I bought from was Normandy Homes in Jacksonville, FL.
my problem is that the dealership called & spoke with my girlfriend & I twice about the paint that I picked out. they stated that the painter doesnt like Behr brand paint (which is what I picked out) . they also stated it is more expensive that what they allow. My girlfriend & I both told the sales guy on the phone in two seperate conversations that we wanted to have it painted with what we had picked out. we would pay the difference in cost of the paint. the painter painted with a cheaper brand (Enterprise) & different color anyway. ( by the way the painter did a terrible job) I talked to the sales guy & the manager of the dealership about the problem & told them I wanted it repainted with the paint that I had specified. (I dont feel like I am being unreasonable) the sale guy said they would would have the same painter come out & repaint with my paint but I would have to pay the full cost of his labor & for the paint for him to do it. the manager also said they would would have the same painter come out & repaint with my paint but I would have to pay half of the cost of his labor & for the paint for him to do it. I do not feel it is my fault if the sales guy misunderstood two different conversation or is just plain lieing. I am getting no where with this dealership. what can I do ? there was never anything in writing about the paint that I picked out. I just gave the sales guy the sample I got from Home Depot. which is what he told me to do. I talked with the owner of the dealership yesterday. he stated he would talk with the sales guy to see what his side of the story is. I worry that now since I am having this problem. who knows what type of problems I will have if I need work under the Homes of Merit warranty if I have to go through this dealer. I believe Homes of Merit is a great company. just this dealership has severe service issues if their customer has a backbone & doesnt back down from them. can anyone reccomend what my next steps should be ?

[rmurray]

I am glad you mentioned that none of this was the factory fault....You fears about future warranty are also unfounded...If HOM has warranty issues that need attention..you need not ever talk to the dealer..your home owners manual has an 800 number in it that rings directly to the plants service department..

Although it is too late for you...your problem points out to others how important it is to put all special instructions into writing...especially on special order homes..

HOM ships their home unfinaished from the plant...they offer a factory crew finish which includes only an egg shell white (Sherwin Williams paint) primer coat finish (the crew comes to your site to do the work)...some dealers order the home and finish locally since they will have more flexablility...and often think they will get the job done at a lower price...Sounds like the case here..

Obvoiusly the sales person should have never sent you to the lumber yard to pick paint...paint price can vary by 100% and why would you not pick the best...The sales person is at fault here...so is the owner..not making sure his sales persons are fully trained..Sounds like the owner might be a little reasonable...at least he is listening and not making immediate excuses...Keep it civil with him...He might yet do the right thing...Give him a chance..Start to document all communications in writing..

If I had to pay to repaint the interior..I doubt I would use this painter...Why would he not want to use Behr paint...easy..his credit sucks and he cannot buy it on account from the distributor of Behr paint..rather than tell the truth..he has told them he does not like to work with that paint...If you end up having to pay...get a real pro..at least the job will be done right...then think about small claims court...it is easy and cheap to follow up like this in this court there in FL...You might win the case and get your money back...even if you lose..you have caused a lot of grief for all involved...At least your home will look like you wanted...

Go for it..

[Craig]

thank you for your repsonse Mr Murray I have been reading this forum for over a year now & value everything that you state. I have learned so much from everyone at this forum. I just never thought about having to put the brand/color of paint written in the contract. the sales guy did have the paint sample from Home Depot that I took him in my file. however, I am sure he has probably discarded that by now. Thankfully Homes of Merit is a great company & builds quality homes & will stand behind the warranty if the dealer will not.

[Craig]

Here we are. a year later.
Normandy Mobile Homes in Jacksonville, FL has determined that they are not going to give me the proper work on my home that I paid for.
we have contacted Homes of Merit in Lake City, FL. Home of Merit states they can not do anything for us as they are at the mercy of the dealerships that sell their homes. I do not understand how this can be true.
but at any case, I have paid $83,000 for my home & looks like I will have to pay $2000-$3,000 out of pocket to hire my own contrator to come in & finish the work that Normandy Homes & Homes of Merit will not.
cant say I have much trust in Homes of Merit (Champion Homes) if they do not stand behind their product.