Oakwood Mobile Home Bad Practices Greensboro North Carolina
I purchased a mobile home from oakwood in 98 when we bought it our payments went up even after signing the paperwork for our monthly payment we signed the contract for $214.00 a month when we went to make first payment it was $469.00 also they moved the mobile home to our land before we even seen the trailer. there needed to be repairs. they never were fixed.
after setup was started it took 2 months to get into our home. They would say this was hooked up and it never would be when we went to look at it i got 2 weeks behind on payment because of the difference in payment. they called my job asked to speak to my boss and told her all my business. the operator would prank call my phone my job and say that he would take everything from me and my family including my car my kids stuff HATEFUL!!!
I got fed up told them to come get the dang thing well then there attitude changed well by then I had lost my job because of the calls. i was firm in them coming to get the dang thing so pretty much i messed up my credit over this house. i did not even care i just want the hassles no more.
well we moved out they resold the house and now are suing me for the balance after selling it. We paid $30,000 for trailer in 98 its 06 we got the paper stating the suit about 2 weeks ago they want 27,000 we owned the home for 7 years. if they think there getting a dime from me there crazy there ssaying theyll take everything. Well come get it STAY AWAY FROM OAKWOOD
April
clayton, North Carolina
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Georganna
Gatesville,Texas,
U.S.A.
What you can do
#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, January 10, 2008
You need to know: Your not alone. If you have read other reports here you have seen a pattern of tactics used by these Berkshire Companies.
The first thing you need to do is legally dispute the debt they claim againt you by sending them a letter like this:
(Todays date)
(Your name and address)
RE: (account number)
(their address)
Dear (their name),
You are put on notice that the above referenced debt is disputed in it's entirety. I hereby request verification of the debt, and such verification is to consist of a copy of all contracts and agreements between parties, documentary proof of perfomance of the contracts by the creditor and all business records of the creditor concerning the alleged debt.
Pursuent to 15 U.S.C. 1692-1692p.
yours truly,
(your signature)
note- make sure you copy this letter before you send it out.
15 U.S.C. 1692-1692p is the Federal Law that regulates fair debt collection practices. The copies they send to you should include your contracts, receipts for moving and transferrring the home, repairs, sales commission etc. Do not agree to copy charges, you are not just requesting copies. You are requesting proof of the amount they claim you owe which you are entitled to under Federal Law.
Next, you will need to monitor your credit reports. Make sure you notify all three agencies of your dispute by sending them a copy of your dispute letter.
Copy everything. Every correspondence you have; contracts etc. and send it to the State Attorney General's Office in North Carolina and in Tenessee (Vanderbilts home office). Make sure you directly ask for their intervention to avoid any privacy law issues.
Notify any collection agencies they may use that the debt is disputed. Tell them to stop contacting you and you are forwarding all correspondance to the AG's Office. Make sure you continue to forward copies of all correspondence to the State Attorney Generals.
Please know, your going to get a lot of bad advice from people who eventually profit off of your loss (realtors, mortgage reps etc). You will get bad advice from lawyers who want your money and know they dont stand a chance.
Oakwood filed bankruptcy, they cannot be sued. You will have to file a suit in Tenessee against Vanderbilt because there is limited or no federal protection laws. An honest lawyer will tell you it will cost about $20,000 up front to drag Vanderbilt to NC. You might try going after Berkshire Hathaway, the owner of both companies. Again jurisidictional issues, BH is in Omaha Ne.
Summing up how it works: Set up a Company to rip people off as quickly as possible for the fastest and highest profit margins. Use the parent Co's (Berkshire Hathoway) client privalages with the biggest law firms in every state to set up and hold the companies as fast and as long as possible. When the suits start coming in; usually via State Attorney's and word just starts to get out among consumers, close the Company. Transfer all assets to a knew company to keep profits. Then file bankruptcy to protect the parent Co from loss via law suits. Then start the process of ripping people off through the new company. Of course, to protect this practice, let investors trade on your profits (such as 401k) to discourage congress from creating laws to protect the consumer -fearing a national economic crisis.
Jim
Scottsburg,Indiana,
U.S.A.
Always Read the Fine Print
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, November 06, 2007
Dear April,
I read your complaint.. based on what I have read you dont have much to stand on.. except for the calls to your job... you should have filed a Harrassment Lawsuit.
as for your payment that you signed for... that can change if you have whats called a Adjustable Rate mortgage.. also called A R M for short...
If I were you I would check with an attorney and shop around for one that will work on a first free initial consultation..
Im going to give you some free advice as a Realtor..
when shopping for a home and your going over financing always read the fine print! and check to make sure what kind of financing you are getting into. if its not satisfactory you can always back out before you close... once you go thru a closing there's no going back...
and always have an attorney go over any paperwork that you might not be familliar with... It could save you thousands of dollars in the future.