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Fleetwood Homes ripoff consumer fraud ripoff Toccoa Georgia
My story starts off much like alot of the reports here. Facing a foreclosure from Ocwen Bank. As alot of people here have allready found out you cannot win with these people. I wont bore you with the details, but It surfices to say I was facing foreclosure. In a desparation move we went to fleetwood homes.
I explained to the salesman the whole story. Slade Jarret (the slaesman) explained that Fleetwood had what they called a buy-for program where I could in effect use a relative to put the home in their name and after a year or two of making the payments on time I could have it transferred to my name.
My uncle who lived in New York volunteered to have his credit checked and It went thru. Slade Jarret and Powery Price explained to Buy-for program to my uncle exactly as they did me.
They called me a day later to tell me the paperwork was ready. And I should bring the downpayment I went to my bank and got 2775.00 and went to the dealership.
This is where I made a dreadful mistake. Powery Price (the sales manager) and I sat down for the closing. With a tape recorder on the desk (for effect only) and he again explained the process.
I would make the down payment (allready in his hands) and My uncle would be faxed the paper work to sign and fax back (of course they couldnt get him). At their request and my uncles permission I signed his name to the paperwork. The usual problems arised while setting up the home on my land. Contractor problems that delayed the set-up of the home.
Fleetwood stated that they would be making the first payment on the home because they caused such a delay and the didnt want me to get started off on the wrong foot on the buy for program. (THEY PAID IT BUT TWO MONTHS LATE.) and it was acutally due before the home was even delivered. Causing quite a problem between my uncle and myself. My uncle wanted an absoulute hands off approach to the whole thing.
After 1 1/2 years of making payments on time. I contacted the finance company and they never heard of any buy-for program.
After 2 years of making payments on time I contacted a lawyer.And filed a hefty lawsuit against Fleetwood and Fleetwood Enterprises. For fraud and other charges
After 3 years of Making Payments on time we had a deposition
After 3 1/2 years of making payments on time for a 30 year loan on a home that will never be my own I am waiting for my day in court.
I admit I was naive or just wanted to believe that this could all be possible. I was indeed desparate and must have had a sign on my forehead that said sucker.
EVERY BIT of what I have said can be verified with paperwork or thru my attorneys.
I just thought you all should know.
Michael
Walhalla, South Carolina
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Michael
Walhalla,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
Things Moving along
#3Author of original report
Sun, November 09, 2003
On Friday we were back in the attorney's office to answer another set of interigories. It seems that the defense has a new attorney on the case which seems ridiculous since this person is allready 2 years behind. (oh well) The defense has also motioned for a summary judgement. Again 2 years behind. My attorney seems to think that the defense might be watching this website and comments made about Fleetwood and the Fraudulent Behaivor. If your attorneys are I HAVE A VERY VERY STRONG CASE.
Katherine
Onalaska,Washington,
U.S.A.
What A Home Consultant Is Taught
#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, July 27, 2003
I worked for almost three months at a local Fleetwood Dealership. I thought I could bring my own style of selling to the table. But, this is not acceptable. They send you to Seminars to train you, in that training you role play, one being the customer and the other the "Housing Consultant". It's all about tricks in order to 'close the sale'--Example--When you want to see a home and they are locked you must come into the office and what we are told to tell the customer is: Sorry we have to lock the doors for insurance reasons. (Although there is a thread of truth as far as people randomly going through the homes and taking some of the display items) it's primarily aimed at getting you inside the sales center, bottom line end of discussion,if you don't get the customer in you are reprimanded for not doing so. Then you are taken to three homes at the most, based on what you have told the home consultant what you are looking for, price range, bedrooms, etc., first the lowest end home on the lot, then the last will be the highest priced. I think you may be getting the idea of the mental aspect of this approach, you see a small home with very few 'goodies' and then compare that to a beautifully displayed model with everything a person could want the averages are that the home that had the most the best will be hard to discard in the emotional decision to buy a home.
We are taught to take the person to the smallest room then lead them to the grand finale the largest room, all the while the consultant is to stand near the window, this is supposed to make the room appear larger.
In every step there is a reason a purpose to get you hooked and back into that office. I sold 9 homes while I was there, I didn't do it their way I felt uncomfortable leading people around like a herd of cattle. Instead I let them look and was there to answer any technical questions, that's the way I like to shop and I think most do.
When I didn't fit in with the group I was then set aside, they made comments about how quiet spoken I was, I didn't bully anyone, but yet the homes sold. Well, I put in my resignation after I was threatened to be fired if I didn't do it their way, so I resigned and all nine of the potential home buyers backed out after I left.
I think they make a pretty good home, but the set up the need to have things fixed, that where the buyer must beware. If you are looking, you let them know you are buying a home not a car. Take control and if you feel at any time you are being backed into a corner with fancy talk or how bad the 'others' out there are walk out, or best yet run there are still some honest people out there.
I am pleased to not be working there not mad at anyone for it was my choice to leave, it's been a long time since I resigned so no axe to grind here, just truth and hopefully a little help for someone when taking that big emotional step into home ownership.