Did we get a lemon?

[Mike]

Hi. I'm glad to see this forum. We purchased our MH about 3 years ago. The entire inside walls were not what we ordered. Several things were out of place or missing. Also, there is no data plate in the home. Having many problems with home: roof singles come loose and a couple have curled, 3 times water has pooled in underplastic, many doors would not open/close or did it by themselves, just seems overall workmanship is poor and we don't see how this house passed inspection at factory. Saleman verbally said we'd get things we never did, like the carpets would be ScotchGuarded. Dealer taped/textured (w/o our permission) walls to correct wall decor. We had no "acceptance" signings at all. No walk thrus, etc. Dealer never came to home, just sent repair guy, who has been here at least 30 times, plus factory sent out another repair guy to try and fix other stuff, w/o alot of success.
This dealer guy went AWOL right after we got our home, and the salesman was fired. We feel the dealer gave us a "second" or "lemon", or we were bait & switched. We have brought this up to the new boss at the dealer's, his supervisor, and to the factory. All say that this stuff is normal. The factory says there is no way we could recieve a home without it having exactly what was ordered, but they won't look into it further than that. Also that it "has" to have a data plate.
I've talked to many people in my area, and they've not had any problems like we've experienced With their homes. Our home ext. warr expires in 2 years, and we're concerned house is just going to continue to fall apart.
People have told me to get an Arbitraitor. And to contact the MH state admin, agency.
Is this the way to go? Has anyone had similar problems? Any further advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Richard Wilde]

It sounds like time to start getting 'even'. I personally put many articles on MH web wites putting the truth and problems I've had and continue to have with my Skyline MH. When 4 families inquired about which home to buy, I told them of my on-going problems, at which they e-mailed back and said that they would not buy from that manufacturer. These e-mails I received were then forwarded by me to the corporate office of Skyline. Let me tell you, they got off their --- and got in touch with me real quick. Although they sent a private inspector in, I'm ready to get legal council becouse I do not feel that this MH was built with the exacting workmanship of all of the other MH's around me. Of some 30 MH's, my MH seems to be the only one with major problems, and I have found out that mine came out of a facility a few miles away from where all of the other MH's came from. I now have a list of attorneys, and I think I'll have to contact one of them. Yes, some corporations might try to 'hush' my negative advertising which they are getting, but I am telling the truth about my experience concerning the developer and the manufacturer. We are 30 years in dept with a product designed to last 2 years.

[Kristen/Wis Mfd Homeowners Asn]

You got the same runaround that a lot of other consumers of mfd housing have been getting, especially in states like Wisconsin where the laws already on the books are inadequate to protect consumers, and even what's already there gets no enforcement. I would urge you to contact your state's SAA--in Wisconsin it's in the Dept of Commerce which is buddy-buddy with business, so don't expect much. Another case in Phillips WI is very similar to yours, and neither Commerce (Safety and Buildings) nor HUD will lift a finger--they have a million excuses. Organize a consumer's union like we have, and if you want ideas and help doing it, contact me. Also, take a look at our web page and we'll tell you how to fight the dirtiest industry going. You'll need to bring your anger and commitment to this project, because there's no instant gratification. But we'll help you expose the crooks.

[larry illman]

I read your message with considerable interest as I have beeb considering a skyline. I have heard that there can be considerable differences in the quality of hames from the same manufacturer but built at different factories. Did yours come from the oregon factory?

[George]

SKYLINE ?????????? NO NO NO Junk for sure check out the BBB

[Mike]

Hi everybody, thanks so much for your input. People have also e-mailed us with info/question. We bought a Clayton home, we are in Louisiana. First i think i'll try Michael Commarosano, Admin. Dir, MH div. of fire marshall's office. The BBB is pretty useless here- they just forward your letter to the other party and that's prety well it. Nothing like the Consumer's Affair's Dept we've heard of in other states. And boy could everyone use a Consumer Affairs here in La!!
How can i get the "records" on my home form the factory? That might show some things.
I recently heard this dealer guy (Stephen Post) was found and is in jail on fraud, etc. The saleman (David Brewer) was fired and is at other sales places now, still selling homes. So these two are out of the Clayton loop. Can i still do anything? Is Clayton liable for what a bad dealer & saleman did to people??
Has anyone tried an Arbitrator? I'm going to contact the manufacturer again and request a data plate. I do not reccomend having anything to do with Clayton homes, it's been a nightmare and they really don't care. It's obvious something fishy has gone on here and they won't look into it.
thanks again, Mike

[Ron Ambler]

Mike,

Have you tried the Attorney General's office in LA? I have found my state's AG pretty responsive regarding a MH loan problem I had with GreenTree financing. (Now Conseco)

You can send in a complaint over the net at: www.ag.state.la.us/complaint.shtml
Their CONSUMER INFO-LINE is 1-800-351-4889. I would suggest you write down, as briefly as you can, your list of complaints, and most important, what steps you have taken, locally, to solve the problem. Have it ready when you call or should you decide to file over the net.

Also, I would suggest you write two letters one to the President of Clayton Homes and the second to the CEO (see below) Manufacturing at the following address;

James L. Clayton
Chairman of the Board

Kevin T. Clayton
Chief Executive Officer and President
500 alcoa trail,
Maryville, TN 37804-5516

Try to make the letters as close to one page in length as possible and lay out the steps you have taken to resolve the issues. VERY IMPORTANT, advise them that you have contacted the Lousiana State Attorney General's Consumer Affairs division. Send these letters Certified, Return Receipt Requested. Do the same, if you send the LA AG a letter. This gives you a paper trail for the future.

These are just my opinions and please do not consider this as legal advice.

[Mike]

our home was built in the Savannah, Tenn factory.

[melinda haldeman]

Gee..It amazes me that so many people have so much trouble with their homes! I am one of those people, too. I have sinking floors-I think the ground underneath is too weak or just not fit to hold this weight because my loeach lines are sinking in my front yard-they've sunk probably a good 12" . I'm told by the dealer that since my home warranty has expired by a year, there's nothing they can do-I would have to take it up with the manufacturer. My floors are unlevel-you could walk up and downhill in the same room! I know I need to contact my state saa, but could anyone tell me about the little loophole that states if a mh is set on unfit ground, by a third party-someone contracted out to do this- that even though I signed a paper at my loan closing that states I was responsible for the set-up of the home

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