Skyline MH

[Richard]

This whole episode of owning a Skyline MH has taken its toll on this person. Like so many other folks I've read about, not hearing anything from the manufacturer tells me how little they care about the customer, let alone the crap product they put on the market. This will teach me to never consider a mh again. I'd rather live in my travel trailer than put up with anymore C--- from this industry. Very depressing situation, very distressed from a manufacturer which I did at one time trust. Well, you know what I thing of these mongrels now. Thanks for a place to releive some stress......

[David Oxhandler]

I am very surprised to hear that you are having a problem with getting service from Skyline. THere are builders that tend to ignore the public, but When I was in retail we sold Skyline and found then to be ultra responsive to their homeowners. Try phoning their home office, you can find the phone number in the MANUFACTURED HOUSING YELLOW PAGES at www.mfdhousing.com/yellow_pages

[Richard]

I've talked with Ephrata Plant several times; to say the least, they were rude. I've called Elkhart a few times, ask to speak to Mr. Deranek, CEO; He was polite and seemingly responsive. I FIRMLY believe that this dealer and the people at the Ephrata Plant are the ROAD BLOCK. I've done everything but tell Elkhart that there is a communication problem with the money mongrels at Ephrata. I too sold a Skyline product, Nomad Travel Trailers. They are the absolute best material and workmanship that is to be found in the RV Industry; I trusted Skyline, asked no questions, just set out to buy their MH, and of all the MHs in this subdivision, mine had to come out of the Ephrata Plant: No other customer in this subdivision seems to be having the major problems like me. That too tells me something. Well, Skyline prides themselves in the UL Approval and Inspection, so I'm talking with Mr. Gibbons at UL and he too seems very concerned about the electrical code violations and the structural problems and the furnace problem, though I have not heard from him for a couple of days and certainly not heard from Skyline.I have to sit here 24/7 and use my dissability check to pay the mortgage, I am having to get out and drive around just to get away from this and get my mind on something else. I think my state of mind would be better off if I just move out and walk away from this and let the bank do what they must do. Please don't get the idea that I'm whining, but I will tell the world about this MH until I get a proper structure. During this ordeal, I was able to come across a 1994 Nomad TT at the dealer which I use to work at, I snatched it up, and let me tell you It Is Wonderful. Even though the previous owner had the hot water heater go out and leak , because of the Fur Plywood, there was no structural damage. There I go again, off on a happier subject; Thanks for lending your ear.

[David Oxhandler]

Letting the bank take your home would be a huge mistake. Defaulting on your commitment to the bank will not have the slightest impact on the home builder that your mad at. Unlike autos MH dealers and builders DO NOT sign recourse agreements anymore. The builder will NEVER know that you have given up the home, but you will destroy your credit rating and not be able to purchase ANYTHING on time for years. The lender did not build the home or sell it to you. The lender only involvement was generously fronting you the money to purchase the home you selected. Defaulting on the loan brings you down to the same level of that you claim to distain in the home builder. That is not taking responsibility for your commitments. If you have any complaints about the performance of your manufactured home that 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. 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.manufactured-housing.net/saaPlease let me know how you make out. Good Luck.

[Shelby]

Richard, here's something you may not want to do, but I believe you'd get quick results. Take out a license to picket (I think you would get it from the police dept in the jurisdiction of the dealer) and start picketing the dealership where you bought your Skyline. Have a one-page synopsis of all the problems you've had and hand it out to interested would-be customers. ( Let THEM approach you, though.) You mention that you're on disability so I don't know how feasible this will be but if you're able to walk, then I think this would be a very effective course of action. On the other hand, if you're in a wheelchair, that might make your case even more effective. Enlist the help of a friend if that would make it easier. Pick their busiest day (Saturday, I would imagine) and make a day of it. Do it for more than one day if necessary. When the dealership sees that you're really hitting them in their pocketbook (just like they hit you in yours), they're CRAZY if they don't immediately rectify your house's defects. Also - I hope you won't lump all manufactured homes into the same bad experience. I haven't bought mine yet, but I've talked to many people who have been very happy in their "mobile" homes, so I think you just bought a lemon. I'll be praying that you get a quick resolution to your problems and can soon be enjoying your new home. I've looked at Skyline - too expensive for me - but they ARE beautiful.

Good luck to you!

[Richard]

Ah!... Yes. Beauty IS only skin deep, as you will find out by owning a Skyline MH. As for expensive, I did not get what I paid for, however I do take the blame for trusting Skyline Corp.

[Shelby]

Why SHOULDN'T you have trusted them? they've been in business a while, they have an excellent reputation and they ARE UL rated (that last part really impressed me when I looked at them). You had every reason to believe that you were making the right decision. It's not as if they were some unknown company who just blew into town.

I hope you'll consider my suggestion. Some people are more comfortable in taking aggressive action (like picketing) than others, but I think you should take the bull by the horns -- after all, you have a lot of money at stake here.

Again - - - Good Luck!

[Richard]

Yes. I felt at ease knowing that Skyline used Underwritters Laboratory to approve their building plans and inspect the Skyline Homes. I finally contacted UL. They seemed very eager to know what was going on. A local rep of UL was in touch with me immediately and wanted to know about the electrical code violations. After detailing the electrical vio's, the rep then e-mailed me to say that Skyline had been notified, and the UL Rep now wanted to know about the structural problems and the furnace problem. That was about two weeks ago. I e-mailed the rep asking to be advised as to what was happening, just last week; I've not heard anymore from UL. CONGRADULATIONS Skyline, you have not broken my will, but my health can't take anymore high blood pressure, so it looks like you have gotten away with messing up my life.

[David Oxhandler]

Richard

You have told us about your dislike for the company but never told us what problems you have had with your home. I made recommendations a week ago for you to follow the procedure outlined by the law. Have you contacted the office in your state that regulates the federal code ? If so please send me a copy of their reply to:

Manufactured Housing Global Network
PO Box 61
Candler, FL 32111

and we will try to help you follow through.

[Richard]

Yes I did. I'm waiting for the agency to get the paperwork to me to fill out. I appreciate your help. I'll keep in touch, with the good news...