Some information for the group, Me and my wife have been shopping for a home for about a week now. We have the land and all the utilities lined up, financing has been arranged so all wee need is the home.
My experience so far has been mixed. I am pleased with some of the Dealers and the information and help they have given. I am shocked at some of the others that simply do not what your bussines, and will tell you so.
I am not a difficult customer, I know the exact model and options I want and I am going to buying a home from someone, someone with the best price and service.
I guess the problem some dealers have is people making a informed intellegent decision and not just walking into a dealer and signing the papers they put in front of you.
My point is to shop around. The prices I have been quoted for the exact same model made in the same factory by the same people has varied by $16,000.00.
Most people would shop different car dealers for the same models, and you would compare stick built homes with each other. You wouldnt buy a home that is overpriced. So why do some MH dealers get so indignant about giving you a price on a home if you are going to buy.
I guess my point is to all new MH buyers is to shop around and dont be taken advantage of. You can most likely save a few bucks if you do so.
Good Luck
Shopping for a home
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sabrina
shopping for a home as a woman
hi bob,
thanks for sharing your experience. i would just add that if a woman is trying to do this by herself, she MUST steel herself for all kinds of harassment and dishonesty that would not be directed toward a man.
not only will a woman need to be totally informed and prepared (that's a lot for just one person!) but she'll also have to present herself as a woman not to be messed with.
i sent one of my counseling clients with my ex-partner from when i worked in law enforcement as muscle. that went ok. she then tried it on her own. tears and anger.
i can and will coach any woman to the best of my ability for free. we deserve to have a home too without getting beaten up just because we are women!
two GREAT sites to get help and preparational information were given to me by mr. murray: www.manhousingfoundation.org and www.consumersunion.org.
go get what you deserve and don't take no guff!
sabrina-the housing pit bull....grins
[email protected]
thanks for sharing your experience. i would just add that if a woman is trying to do this by herself, she MUST steel herself for all kinds of harassment and dishonesty that would not be directed toward a man.
not only will a woman need to be totally informed and prepared (that's a lot for just one person!) but she'll also have to present herself as a woman not to be messed with.
i sent one of my counseling clients with my ex-partner from when i worked in law enforcement as muscle. that went ok. she then tried it on her own. tears and anger.
i can and will coach any woman to the best of my ability for free. we deserve to have a home too without getting beaten up just because we are women!
two GREAT sites to get help and preparational information were given to me by mr. murray: www.manhousingfoundation.org and www.consumersunion.org.
go get what you deserve and don't take no guff!
sabrina-the housing pit bull....grins
[email protected]
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Mrs. X
Re: Oh Come ON!
Here we go AGAIN !!!! Mechanics take advantage of women, male doctors don't listen to women, car dealers take advantage of women and now we find that manufactured home salesmen take advantage of women! That is utter nonsense! I've been in many, many, many MH dealerships over the last 18 months and I have not - - NOT ONE TIME - been talked down to by anybody. I asked intelligent (I hope) questions and I had several sales people comment that I had really done my homework and what a pleasure it was to deal with an informed customer.
And NO - I didn't go in like gangbusters either. We southern women know that femininity is power! Use it to your advantage - - but that's another subject.
I'll bet your friend went in on the defensive and she got exactly what she expected.
The idea that a woman has to take along a man as "muscle" is laugh-out-loud funny! And what a contradiction! If women are as tough and ornery as men, why on earth would women consumers have to drag a male with them? Haven't you just negated your whole argument about the equality of women?
Maybe you and your friend could benefit from Mrs. X's School of Southern Charm. Come on down and I'll give you a few lessons for free. You might even find out that it's FUN to be a woman! And after graduation, we'll take on some of those mean old MH salesmen and have them eating out of our hands! Mr. Murray, break out the mint juleps - - here we come!
And NO - I didn't go in like gangbusters either. We southern women know that femininity is power! Use it to your advantage - - but that's another subject.
I'll bet your friend went in on the defensive and she got exactly what she expected.
The idea that a woman has to take along a man as "muscle" is laugh-out-loud funny! And what a contradiction! If women are as tough and ornery as men, why on earth would women consumers have to drag a male with them? Haven't you just negated your whole argument about the equality of women?
Maybe you and your friend could benefit from Mrs. X's School of Southern Charm. Come on down and I'll give you a few lessons for free. You might even find out that it's FUN to be a woman! And after graduation, we'll take on some of those mean old MH salesmen and have them eating out of our hands! Mr. Murray, break out the mint juleps - - here we come!
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JohnnyJ
Re: Oh Come ON!
Mrs. X, you cracked me up with that one. (smile) Just one more thing I love about
being in the south... southern charm from southern ladies.
being in the south... southern charm from southern ladies.
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Mrs. X
Re: Oh Come ON!
Well, I'm glad you're amused, but I wasn't really trying to be funny. I just get so tired of my own sex hollering "discrimination!" "not Fair", etc. etc. and everybody on Planet Earth assumes that ALL females agree with that! Not So!!
And the idea that M-H salesmen are just lurking in the wings to take advantage of po' lil' ole usn's is a bit much. The only salesperson I ever had a problem with was a female drill sergeant at an Oakwood dealership who got angry and defensive when I said I didn't want Novadeck. The final straw came when she made a derogatory remark about Southern men - - - I told her that she had just lost a sale and I "sailed" out of her office.
A couple of weeks later, the dealership closed.
Tee hee!
And the idea that M-H salesmen are just lurking in the wings to take advantage of po' lil' ole usn's is a bit much. The only salesperson I ever had a problem with was a female drill sergeant at an Oakwood dealership who got angry and defensive when I said I didn't want Novadeck. The final straw came when she made a derogatory remark about Southern men - - - I told her that she had just lost a sale and I "sailed" out of her office.
A couple of weeks later, the dealership closed.
Tee hee!
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sabrina
i love it!
hi mrs. x,
thanks for this reply! i think it's great! i definitely WOULD like those lessons, seriously! i think any person should have as many skills as possible. i'd love to add your "southern charm" to my repertoire. email me, ok?
my client did not go in the way you describe so don't jump to conclusions, ok?
also, your statements are well contradicted by consumer's union, better business bureau, hud and fha not to mention aclu. do some research before you blithely claim no decrimination exists. a little historical fact: the us freed the black slave before it freed the white woman. again, educate yourself about the experiences of women and people of color in the COUNTRY and not in your isolated part of the world and not from your individual experience.
again, i DO appreciate your response because this is a forum and dissent is what makes it wonderful!
sabrina
thanks for this reply! i think it's great! i definitely WOULD like those lessons, seriously! i think any person should have as many skills as possible. i'd love to add your "southern charm" to my repertoire. email me, ok?
my client did not go in the way you describe so don't jump to conclusions, ok?
also, your statements are well contradicted by consumer's union, better business bureau, hud and fha not to mention aclu. do some research before you blithely claim no decrimination exists. a little historical fact: the us freed the black slave before it freed the white woman. again, educate yourself about the experiences of women and people of color in the COUNTRY and not in your isolated part of the world and not from your individual experience.
again, i DO appreciate your response because this is a forum and dissent is what makes it wonderful!
sabrina
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Gary
Re: i love it!
Interesting points you bring up concerning your experience with other dealers. I am an affordable housing consultant with the largest manufactured housing developer in the Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana area. What we find based on feedback from others who have shopped elsewhere is that most dealers have not evolved from the hey-day of 5-10 years ago. Furthermore, most still want to sell a home like a car, not like the home it is. They want to put these "cars" in parks because they don't understand the work and details involved with a land/home project. Conversely, 70% of our work is in the land/home arena. While 450+ dealers went out of business nationwide last year, we had our 3rd best year ever. This is a trying time for most dealers, because they have not evolved. Consequently, consumers really need to watch it. As for the vast differences in pricing, my belief is that the really high ones might be politely telling you to go away because they don't understand what you want! The guys on the low end should make you run. You mentioned best price and service, but we all know that to get the best service and product means you probably won't be paying the absolute lowest price. There is fair ground there somewhere. In our example, we are usually $1.5K to $2.5K higher, but we are the cadilac of the industry in this part of the country. Our customers are ok with that, knowing what they will be getting. E-mail me with any specific questions. Gary
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cre8ivegrl
Re: i love it!
Having been in sales for 16+ years with a husband who is an auto mechanic for 10+ here is my perspective.... there are two rules to follow....
1. If you don't know at least a little about what you are seeking, you will likely get taken. Man or woman (men just don't admit it and reporting it to the BBB would be admitting it). Period. However, there are honest people out there. Once you find them, stick with them. Which leads me to...
2. Loyalty. Whether it's mechanic work, indoor plants, cars or cosmetics, if you are a good, FRIENDLY customer who is loyal with you own business year after year as well as bringing in referrals... you'll get treated like royalty. Even not-so-honest businesses won't cheat their regulars. But better to find one that won't cheat your friends you send them either.
These rules apply to ANY purchase. MHs included.
1. Know your beans about MHs before you walk on the lot. If you know a little about the models you'd like to see, likes and dislikes, book values, options etc. you'll not only go a little further with your salesman but will save a lot of time by not having to stand around saying "uh huh, uh huh" as the salesman tries to sell you on the benefits.
2. As loyalty can't be determined yet, act loyal. If you walk in spouting that Joe Blow will give you $xxx off this same model down the street, you will alienate yourself. I know some will say this is a tried and true method of negotiation but trust me, the salesman has heard it. Over and over. And the salesman is thinking... "hmmm... if he can get it at Joe Blow's for that much less what is he doing here? Why isn't he there now signing papers??" In other words, he knows you are blowing smoke and you have created an instant adversary.
Better to go in with the attitude that you love, love, love this brand and just can't decide between these two or three models. That you have friends (here at the board or in real life) that love, love, love this brand and this or that model. And that in all your research you have heard nothing but the best about this dealer. The word around town is that they are A1!!!! 5 stars!!!! See where I am going?
Instead of the raising the hackles on this poor salesman just trying to make a living, you've established that you'll likely buy this house (and future ones) plue tell all your friends how great the dealer and salesman were to you. It benefits them to give you great service and a fair deal.
Shelley
1. If you don't know at least a little about what you are seeking, you will likely get taken. Man or woman (men just don't admit it and reporting it to the BBB would be admitting it). Period. However, there are honest people out there. Once you find them, stick with them. Which leads me to...
2. Loyalty. Whether it's mechanic work, indoor plants, cars or cosmetics, if you are a good, FRIENDLY customer who is loyal with you own business year after year as well as bringing in referrals... you'll get treated like royalty. Even not-so-honest businesses won't cheat their regulars. But better to find one that won't cheat your friends you send them either.
These rules apply to ANY purchase. MHs included.
1. Know your beans about MHs before you walk on the lot. If you know a little about the models you'd like to see, likes and dislikes, book values, options etc. you'll not only go a little further with your salesman but will save a lot of time by not having to stand around saying "uh huh, uh huh" as the salesman tries to sell you on the benefits.
2. As loyalty can't be determined yet, act loyal. If you walk in spouting that Joe Blow will give you $xxx off this same model down the street, you will alienate yourself. I know some will say this is a tried and true method of negotiation but trust me, the salesman has heard it. Over and over. And the salesman is thinking... "hmmm... if he can get it at Joe Blow's for that much less what is he doing here? Why isn't he there now signing papers??" In other words, he knows you are blowing smoke and you have created an instant adversary.
Better to go in with the attitude that you love, love, love this brand and just can't decide between these two or three models. That you have friends (here at the board or in real life) that love, love, love this brand and this or that model. And that in all your research you have heard nothing but the best about this dealer. The word around town is that they are A1!!!! 5 stars!!!! See where I am going?
Instead of the raising the hackles on this poor salesman just trying to make a living, you've established that you'll likely buy this house (and future ones) plue tell all your friends how great the dealer and salesman were to you. It benefits them to give you great service and a fair deal.
Shelley
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sabrina
not the whole enchilada
hi shelley,
that was very interesting and helpful. i've incorporated some of your ideas in the next training.
the facts still stand, however. it's not a matter of not reporting it or alienating/creating an adversarial encounter either. overwhelmingly, mh companies are owned by, mhs are sold by and repaired by caucasian males. this monopoly is a valid concern for anyone and why federal agencies have been hammering and scrutinizing.
to be truly motivated by future customers, studies have shown that the salesperson has to also have other characteristics. one of which is empathy (not sympathy). that's rare in sales of any kind. this statement is also well validated. this is the reason Gary did not respond by saying an emphatic yes to my inquiry as to whether he would personally stand by his product regardless of the parent company's demise.
read the information i cited at the consumer's union site. this is important information for anyone seeking to buy.
for me, i can't pretend to feel/think something i don't. i do not encourage my clients, counseling or consulting, to do it either.
sabrina
that was very interesting and helpful. i've incorporated some of your ideas in the next training.
the facts still stand, however. it's not a matter of not reporting it or alienating/creating an adversarial encounter either. overwhelmingly, mh companies are owned by, mhs are sold by and repaired by caucasian males. this monopoly is a valid concern for anyone and why federal agencies have been hammering and scrutinizing.
to be truly motivated by future customers, studies have shown that the salesperson has to also have other characteristics. one of which is empathy (not sympathy). that's rare in sales of any kind. this statement is also well validated. this is the reason Gary did not respond by saying an emphatic yes to my inquiry as to whether he would personally stand by his product regardless of the parent company's demise.
read the information i cited at the consumer's union site. this is important information for anyone seeking to buy.
for me, i can't pretend to feel/think something i don't. i do not encourage my clients, counseling or consulting, to do it either.
sabrina
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