Palm Harbor Home Sales

[David Wangnoss]

Hey Scott; Thanks for the input and we do understand that a lot of folks are just curious and don't have the means to purchase. However, what would you do the next time you went shopping and every store needed all sorts of info befor you could shop! See how silly it is, many people walk the malls and never buy. The important fact was we were from Wi. 750 miles away. You don't just turn away people that far away. Again we have no idea of costs of site prep-basement-well-septic-etc. Would have loved to have given him that because that means were that much closer to getting a home, and until we seen homes we still didn't have any idea of what we want. We have rented a townhouse and will be moving as soon as we sell our home here. We told him all this to express our interest and were still refused. If there is a next time I guess we will just have to have a complete financial background as well as character references and just maybe we can see a home, ya think!! We will take shoes off also!! Cost of doing business my friend. Take care and hope PH wakes up to the real world.

[Gene]

David I agree with you. It seems too many are justifying the industry actions (not all but most). I walked thru dozens of locations with model site built homes (and bought three yes three..can't get settled..duh) without every giving any information during routine visits...of course most retailers know success is in the numbers that is why car dealers locate near each other and there are malls for like products...so everyone can view them EASILY and quickly.

There is a cost of doing business and that is providing "customer service" as the customer wants it not as dictated by the dealer. If manufactures dealt more severly with poor customer service provided by dealers and their service people there would be fewer dealers in business with slightly higher costs to the buyer but we would get what we want and need and I'll bet the manufacture would likely sell many more units and increase their margins as would the dealer.

At ALL site built models I was given complete price lists for every option including such small things as cost for upgraded facuets or upgrading insulation from R-30 to R-38 costing $275 during my first visit and they didn't even know my name.

the MH industry got through the increased building standards enacted post 1994 hurricane Andrew and associated cost increases even though they thought their industry would die...but they were forced and the industry flourished for a time regardless of the cost increases.

Many industry people keep justifying this invasion of customer privacy...under the guise of providing service...all because the industry WAS but NOT IS the last alternative for housing for the poor. That isn't the case entirely anymore..although I realize that is partly why they don't seem to change is because those that can't afford a KIA still look at the Cadallic first.

I read about an extremely successful MH dealer some where in the south east (maybe Tennessee or state near) but can't remember the name that has set up their model center like most controlled entry for site built home model centers and providing service that the customer wants and they are being hailed as the wave of the future...maybe more should take heed and stop rationalizing old habits.

Finally I appreciate the postings of the regular experienced professionals like David Oxhandler and rmurray.

[Marilyn Saunders]

I brlieve this"run around" is nationwide. You CANNOT see one of the homes until you've furnished all of your personal info first. They also ask your SS number & I believe they run it without telling you! That is illegal!!

They may have beautiful homes, but I wouldn't have anything to do with them.

Lady bought elsewhere.

[Dennis Stanley]

We are retiring, selling our home, and are going to buy a dbl wide. Guess it won`t be a Palm Harbor. We are paying cash. If some jerk would`nt let my wife and I look at their product. There are plenty of dealers who will.
I am retired from the auto industry. Do you think any one buys a car without test driving? We ( the customers ) are the ones who should be asking all the questions !

[rmurray]

A quality housing consultant has only 1 job..help you find the home you need and desire..the process encourages questions..A good consultant will be polite and ask your name..address to send you coupons and special discount information in the future..they might also ask about your phone number to help keep you informed of any new stuff you might be interested in...No real buyer minds a small fair exchange of information..The consultant at PH is trained to ask a few simple questions..give all the information you ask about and show you all the homes you could possibly desire to see and give you exact pricing in writing...That is all they do..They DO NOT ask for SS numbers unless you have asked to have the totally free financial and creidt evaluation...Any PH associate that checked your credit with out your written permission would be subject to immediate termination for violation of written company policy..

Plan to make your retirement to Augusta, GA or Aiken SC, Stop by PH in Augusta..We are a full service broker and understand the area well and can offer invaluable information about the area...You will always be treated with respect and in a professional mannor..

[D. Thompson]

Dear "rmurray",
I appreciate your helpful advice to frustrated manufactured home buyers and would like to find some satisfaction myself. I have reviewed some of the PH floor plans whose width's are as wide as 30 1/2 ft. (and varies in length) and would like to know how these pieces are delivered: In two pieces over 15 ft. each? If so, I have a vested interest in this width due to the fact that I want to do a pullout and exchange for a PH manufactured home and I am in a narrow / long lot with a floor plan of 16 ft. by 60 (+) ft. to work with. It is my desire to have a home design that allows for creative flexibility with all of the other features offered by PH (including the "energy star"). . . yet, I am told PH does not offer a plan for 16 ft.? If they are designing 30 1/2 ' than why can't this dimension (16') be available ? And if not PH, then what are my options for a creative and quality built home? I am located in sunny Santa Cruz, California where manufactured homes are on the rise and the need for quality MH is also!

Thank you.

[rmurray]

It is true that PH has given up on building single section homes in most parts of the country...You are right the multi sections are shipped as 2 16' sections in many cases....BUT...I know you are talking to one of the PH approved independent dealers in CA...PH has no company owned store in your area.... they are getting the product from the AZ building facility..the dealer is wrong.....I looked here at the floor plans available in So CA...and there are many single 16' sections listed...Any PH dealer in Southern CA can get this product....Check out some of these floor plans as a starting point..

http://www.palmharbor.com/our_homes/flo ... &locType=1

Or go to www.palmharbor.com and check out the homes available on any AZ location...Good Luck with your quest...

[D. Thompson]

Dear rmurray-
I appreciate the helpful information. I am working with Evan's and O'Brian (exclusive Palm Harbor dealer) and thought I would get more accurate and supportive information but, the dealer rep. told me she called PH and said they could not (or do not make available) the 16' single although, she herself had provided me the fact that they were working with 32 1/2' . I am clearly getting conflicting information and would like to know the best and most direct course of "action". Anotherwords, if I happen to find an available 16 single plan ... would it be that it is AVAILABLE or, is there other concerns I should consider before assuming this process is that straight-forward? I have placed a call with an engineer at Palm Harbor who has suggested I call the plant you had also found (Casa Grande in AZ) and he also mentioned he thought they should be able to ship to my location without any service difficulties? What do you think? If all the questions lead me to the plan- the factory and the available shipping; would Evan's and O'Brien be obligated to serve me even though they ship from the Oregon facility?
Again, thank you so much.

[rmurray]

I would suggest you call the plant and ask for the sales manager...They will give you the name and number of one of their regular dealers in your area...

Palm Harbor Homes
1108 Gila Bend Highway
Casa Grande, AZ 85222
(888) 633-3368 - toll free
(520) 836-1341 - phone


If you particularly like this dealer..you might ask him/her if they would mind working with the PH plant in AZ...

It does look like OR does not build single sections.....This dealer might thank you for the lead to a good single section product.....