Research the Dealer

[syber]

rmurry said:
You should research the dealer his record and reputation as much or more than which house to buy.

Just starting out ordered and read Grissim's book. Live in Florida and have looked at a few manufactured homes here. Would like second home near Woodbridge Va. Sent an email to Clayton. Clayton homes national called me. Then redirected me to the Fredericksburg Va office. Started talking to a sales person there and he seemed not to know his stuff very well. I told him I had read Grissom's book and asked if he had. He said never heard of it. I said I really have to speak with someone who has read it before we can go any further. He then asked the sales staff in the Fredericksburg office if anyone had read Grissom's book. He said no one has read it. I said I I really have to speak with someone knowledgeable with what is in Grissom's book or we will not be on the same page. I said I would call the national Clayton back and get another referral. What was surprising is that no one I spoke with in sales at Clayton nation has never heard of the book either. They said they will look for someone in there national headquarters who may have read the book and have them call me.

I guess this is a very good way to get reputation and record right off the bat.
You know, until I can find someone in sales who has read this, we can never be on the same page when it comes to product, construction and price.

[David Oxhandler]

You would probably do better to contact the nearest Clayton sales center. You can visit their sales centers in Florida... where they also go by the name Luv Homes. Talk to a sales person on the front line, not some guy in a call processing center.

Selling homes is a tough business at this time. I'm sure there are a lot of new folks filling positions out there. Just because they sell homes wont necessarily mean that they have heard of Grissim's book or that they are going to know much more than the person who hired them has told them. Don't be discouraged.. just keep looking for that sales person who has the information you seek.

[syber]

I currently live here in Floirda. Want a second home in Virginia. IT may be less expensive to buy in Florida and ship to Virginia.

[David Oxhandler]

The cost of shipping is prohibitive today. But there is no reason you cant start some of your leg work locally and take what you learn up to VA to complete your purchase.

[rmurray]

You are by far more knowledgeable about the product than most sales persons will ever be..You have lie proofed yourself..Get the salespersons email address and send him a link to the bookstore here..He can buy the electronic version and have it in seconds..The salesperson should be happy to invest a few dollars to make the hundreds he will get from the sale..Tell him to buy it and call you when he has read it..Good luck..

[vtallison]

Personally I would not buy a house bulit for fl standards and move it to VA where the weather is substantially different. i was surprised noone mentioned this fact. I too have not found anyone in new England at the dealer level who has heard of grissims book. Maybe someone should send all dealers the book so they can know what we know. I was also thankful to whoever told me that the people here have no contacts with any dealers in New England, so now I have a final question, does anyone know anyone who can refer me to a reputable dealer here in New England???? I live in VT.

[David Oxhandler]

I started in the MH business in New England and there just are not as many dealers in that part of the country as there are in the South or West We did business with Skyline Homes. They have a factory in VT. Here is a list, from their web site of their VT and NH dealers. Visit the web site of any builder that interests you. Most have local dealer listings

Beans Manufactured Home Center92 Back Center Rd.Lyndonville, VT   05851Phone: 802-626-8686 · FAX: 802-626-1112Email: [email protected]  Latham Homes3608 Theodore Roosevelt HighwaRoute 2Bolton, VT   05676Phone: 877-291-6207Email: [email protected]  Virtual Realty, Inc.132 Foot Brook Rd.Johnson, VT   05656Phone: 802-635-2208 · FAX: 802-635-9752Email: [email protected]    Chestnut Hill Sales, Inc.345 Highland StreetPlymouth, NH   03264Phone: 603-536-2250 · FAX: 603-536-3052 Fax: [email protected]   Hagans Mobile Home SalesRoute #18Littleton, NH   03561Phone: 603-444-2788 · FAX: 603-444-5277Email: [email protected]

[trmimo]

I'm not sure I agree with the idea that your salesperson should have read Grissom's book. What you want is honest, informed answers. Unfortunately, many sales people would see the invitation to read the book as an opportunity to rehearse answers. That isn't what you want. You want the truth, not the answer that the sales person knows you are looking for. The best way to research a dealer is to talk to people who have bought homes from them. Any reputable dealer will be glad to give you a few names.

[syber]

I received a call back from the national HQ of Clayton homes by a person who said he knows of the book. After speaking with him he said he will find me someone more seasoned at Clayton to work with me. He said he encourages more customers to do there home work and that for someone who has done that, needs to be connected to someone who has knowledge and background of more then one year with the company. "unfortunately, our sales people, while they receive training, are not to the level we always want that more years of service can bring.

Well that said, maybe someone in Virginia working with the better rated companies will read this thread and email me.