Palm Harbor Home Sales

[David Wangnoss]

Hello; We had the most frustrating experience at Palm Harbor. We stopped at site to tour homes, got the proverbial run around and needed to give them all sorts of info we didn't have the right costs for (lot-basement-site prep-well-septic-etc.) They actually refused to let us see any homes without all this bogus info so they could serve us better!! However, this was a Thursday, on Sunday they were having an open house, so if we came back on Sunday we could see the very homes we were standing in front of. What and who is the genius behind this nonsense? We feel now that we can find someone else to deal with. Too bad, I think they have a top notch quality product. No need to treat potential customers that way. Does anyone know a phone # where we could voice an opinion to someone high up in the Palm Harbor management? If so pass it on. This happened to be in Knoxville, Tn. location. We were on a mini vacation and 750 miles from home and just wanted to see their product. It made us feel like if we were really up to their standards we would give them all this bogus #'s and maybe we would consider you as a customer. Well, we can pay cash up front if that is what they are worried about! I think they will never find out!! Disgusted in Wi. with Palm Harbor. We will relocate to Tn. without their approval of us. Thanks.

[rmurray]

As a Palm Harbor Housing Consultant myself..I hate to hear this sort of thing...I assume you have placed your complaint with the sales manager or general manager at the store..

Call him/her here..

Palm Harbor Homes
4401 Singleton Station Rd.
Louisville, TN 37777
(888) 696-6887 - toll free
(865) 977-0012 - phone
(865) 977-8008 - fax
..

There is no excuse for what has happened..but I do know there are a few new folks at this location...They are supposed to be helping you with a fair exchange of information....Asking questions is the only way a housing consultant can help guide you find the best product for your needs...Palm Harbor in the Southeast has a full range of product and hundreds of different floor plans available for your housing needs...This process can only be done 2 ways...well or bad..Unfortunatly you found one of the wrong appraches...I have already forwarded your post to those who might be able to help....

Do yourself a favor...find a housing consultant you can work with..learn about PH and all we offer you...order the perfect home for you...enjoy

Call me at my office if you like..Bob Murray Augusta, GA...866-866-4758 toll free..

[David Oxhandler]

Dave -

Dont let a sales character, having a bad day to chase you away from considering one of the top quality builders in our businesses.

[Leonard Brewer]

David,
Run!!!! Don't look back. Find a builder who is willing to help you. I am currently having a home built by PH. I will not recommend them to anyone. The GM on my project hasn't a clue on customer service. I guess thats not important to them. I agree the homes are good quality but it's not worth the hassle you have to go through.

[B. B. Rich]

Good quality, yes. Great quality, no. My wife and I went through much the same here in the Austin area... and I had hear others describe the same. I guess we looked reputable and serious so after a credit check we didn't have any more hastles with the sales people.
BUT... after making it clear to our sales lady what we wanted, a well built and especially well insulated home, and letting all of them know that I would not be happy until we got it (mostly with regards to a well built home.) I was told by the factory rep that, "we couldn't do this or they wouldn't do that." I asked for white, six panel doors and woodgrain trim and was told that they wouldn't do it unless I got ALL white trim and cabinets... that after seeing it, others complained. I told the rep that I would sign a waiver and he still refused!!
Now, two years later, the doors have been adjusted but NOT reshimmed countless times and the factory (Buda, TX) has all but ignored my request for service.
The "sun tunnel" type skylight that I didn't want in the first place has leaked twice, and continues to do so after I have sealed it myself.
I warned them that I would be difficult if they couldn't provide me with a well built home. I told them that there was no hurry to complete it, but they had it "built" in less than a week!! I knew something was fishy with that.
Overall we like the home, but would I do it again with Palm Harbor...? Even I can't answer that one.

[B. B. Rich]

Oh by the way, the marraige seem in the floor of the family room has never met properly and there has always been a ridge there. The first time they tried to fix this and the carpet was pulled back we found all kinds of dirt, wood chips (and chunks) and unused nailgun nails UNDER the carpet. And still the seem is obvious. They've been back three times for this problem also.
My front door (vinyl/steel, the best they had to offer) leaks underneath and we have to put a towel under it when the wind blows or it howls. Four times for that.
A wide double pane, low E glass vinyl window (again, the best they had to offer) in the breakfast nook is very difficult to raise and lower. Three times for that.
The master bath is very noticable colder than the bedroom that only tow feet away!! They cut a big hole for the plumbing underneath the bath tub, much bigger than necessary, and left it uncovered and unprotected.
Who trains these people???

[Leonard Brewer]

Sounds like your people in Austin had the same training our people in Ohio had in customer service....None!!! They seem to forget things you ask them or they just dont want to be bothered by it. This was to be our dream home but its more like a nightmare now. Read your contract well !!!!! So far their commitment to customer satisfaction is less than desired. Thanks for the tip on the floor I will inspect it thoroughly. I did notice the doors dont close well at all. Did you have any drywall issues?

[B. B. Rich]

No Leonard, and thanks for the reply.
They are simply not craftsman and are not trained to be... unfortunately for us home owners. Yes, this was to be our dream home and while it's not exactly a nightmare, it does have some issues I am not happy about.
I have been dealing with the repair people, but my wife thinks I've been too soft on them. If she only knew.
Our interior doors change with the weather. FRUSTRATING! I have actually installed strikers with a larger opening which seems to help.
The last time I had a PH repair person out here was to address an issue with my back door... in swinging, "home style", vinyl/steel... the best they had. It was not square in the frame so he removed it and told me that the factory requires a 3/8" gap for adjustment. THE ADJUSTMENT WAS MAXED OUT!!! I said, "do you have any shims?" He said "yes" and returned with interior trim pieces. I said, 'No! Do you have any "SHIMS?" You know, tapered pieces of wood to use for just such an occasion?' He was flabbergasted. I told him that I had some in my shop. We installed them and while the door still isn't perfect, it hasn't moved since. I will need to do the same to ALL of the interior doors as well.
These "trained" factory people know what they are told and nothing else. They never went to a technical school, never apprenticed under anyone and don't even watch Tom and Norm on TOH!!
From your post, I can see that you "feel my pain." From this reply I hope you realize that you are not alone in yours
Good Luck, Dude!

[David Wangnoss]

Hello Folks; WE really didn't mean to stir up a hornets nest but it is good to hear whatever about PH homes.Would anyone that has dealings with PH in the Knoxville area please reply to their experiences and to the quality of the product they received from them. We still feel they are among the quality structures out there. Our other one is Sunshine homes, but they don't offer the versatility as PH does. Thanks for all info and best of luck to those who are having problems. We still can't understand the crazy sales approach. Until we see what is available and decide on what we want there can't be effective figures to consider.

[Scott Interdonato]

It is very interesting reading these responses about Palm Harbor homes. I had worked on a Palm Harbor retail center and understand the fustration of people wanting to see the Palm Harbor homes before giving information. Many Palm Harbor centers do have open houses on sundays. Palm Harbor is a well built home and a good company. There is not one perfect manufacturer out there but for the most part Palm Harbor is a good home. Part of the reasoning Palm Harbor wants to gather information from people before thay see the homes is because there are a lot of people who cannot afford some of the upscale homes Palm Harbor has and the customers veiwing them can only qualify for a less expensive home then the upgrade ones. Are the less expensive homes less quality? NO! Only less options. Another reason is to keep the traffic to a minimum. It cost a lot of money to store models on a lot. If all customers were honest about their buying needs I,m sure that Palm Harbor and dealers like them would open their homes more often. The increase traffic has a lot of wear and tear on these homes. And last, Palm Harbor is in the business of selling homes. Without much needed information from the customer, they cannot efficiently help each customer get into the home they want. People are so afraid of giving info it's hard to help them. My advice to serious customers is to be patient, sit down and help them with your information or if you are just (What many sales people refer to as) just a tire kicker just killing time, then go on an open house day like sunday.