U.S. Buildings, U.S. Building Systems ripoff Deerfield Beach Florida
U.S. Buildings wants your deposite money then you can take a hike! Saw their ad on TV and called up about the 16x24 garage they had for real big savings.
Talked to Todd Metzger and expressed conserns on obtaining a building permit in DC. I was assured that if I could not get a permit I would be responsible for the cost of the blue prints and or architectural fees and that Todd would put that in the contract and I should authorize the $1400.00 to hold the garage kit.
Which I did on July 15th 2005 and later that month got the blue prints to take to the building permit office in DC.
I discovered that this was not a complete garage but only a car port with no front or rear.
Called back to talk with Todd and was directed to Frank Petraroli who said thats what I was going to get and if I wanted the walls I'd need to deposit another $2000.00.
Yes, I made another deposit. This was September 15th 2005.
On October 1st. 2005 I found out that the area I live in is being considered by DC city council for historic area designation. Yes, you got it, NO PERMIT.
Faxed Frank the letter I received from my contractors architect saying no way for a permit, I would not be allowed to put up this building. Frank called me back and said no refunds. I called Todd and explained the situation.
Todd then said he forgot to put the get some of refund back in the contract but would talk to his manager and get this all straightened up.
Got a call back from Todd, sorry no luck and U.S.Buildings would keep the $3400.00 and I should go away, SORRY, I really am.
You could almost feel his sincerity.
I then received a certified letter October 20th 2005 Titled Mutual Release which I'm suposed to sign.
The release has a confidentiality clause. I can not tell anyone that they ripped me off and I have 14 days to send them this which gives them the right to retain my deposit as liquidating the damages for costs incurred for manufacturing my garage.
A garage I might add that they had just a few of and I need to hurry and send a deposit to keep the garage at a bargin price.
Well there is my sob story and if you've been riped off by these folks and want to persue a legal course, say class action suit, get in touch with me.
David
Washington, District of Columbia
U.S.A.
7 Updates & Rebuttals
Tringlp
North West,Florida,
U.S.A.
I have had a very similar experience with this company and Frank
#8Consumer Comment
Sun, April 05, 2009
I filed a new report about this before I found yours...
wow all the way back to 2005 these people have been doing this?
Well here is my story from March 2009
I saw the commercials on T.V. for nice looking steel buildings from U.S. Buildings in florida. I went to their website and filled out the form for a quote on a 25X60 building.
I got a call back the next day from a gentlemen named "Frank". This guys immediately rubbed me the wrong way. He sounded like a used car salesman straight out of New Jersey. I should have just hung up the phone right there but I needed a building so I continued the conversation.
Frank wouldn't give me an exact price for the building. Instead he kept asking me how much I wanted to pay. Eventually I break down and tell him the price I'm looking for and he comes back with a number just under the price I gave him.
I think this is fine and agree to purchase what I think is a complete metal building for the price we've agreed on.
Frank then sends me over a contract to sign agreeing to purchase the building and authorizing them to charge my card for a "non refundable deposit" which in this case was about $3,600.00. I don't see any reason not to do this as I want the building and have no intention of canceling my order. So I sign the form and send it back.
One week later Frank calls me up and tell me that I'm going to be needing some end walls for my building and that they are going to cost me another $3,000! I don't see as I have a choice in the matter as I need end walls for my building and assumed any building would be coming with walls for gods sake. So I reluctantly agree to purchase the walls for my building and sign yet another credit card authorization form for an $800 deposit this time...
One week after this Frank calls me yet again. This time to tell me that I'm going to be needing a steel channel to attach to my foundation if I want to be able to erect the building properly. At this point I just can't believe what's going on here and I ask him how much it's going to cost me. He comes back with a number of about $2,800!
Now I've had enough of this crap at this point and demand to talk to a manager. I tell him what's gone on and that I don't appreciate this bait and switch tactic they are using.
I told the manager what they are doing here is like selling someone a car and then telling them as they walk out the dealership door, "oh by the way you'll need to buy they breaks if you want to be able to stop the car you just bought".
I tell him I want a refund and refuse to take delivery of the building. He then calls me a "pip squeak from Florida" says he's not going to give me a refund and hangs up the phone.
I've contacted my credit card company and told them what happened. As I have received no goods and was tricked into signing those non refundable credit card authorization the credit card company is not making me pay the charges and is investigating this merchant.
Please be warned about this U.S. Buildings outfit as I have read many reports similar to mine on the internet after doing the research I should have done before doing business with these guys..
Melody
Pierson,Florida,
U.S.A.
Feel for you
#8Consumer Comment
Mon, November 13, 2006
I was reading your report and it sounded all too familiar. I'm going to do a report of my own as well. I bought my building in September after month's of them calling my husband "they had the building for me and only 1 left" I called them and told them what size I wanted and they called me back with a price on it. They sent out my contract which I signed and sent the check with it.
I paid my money and was assured blueprints would be on the way soon as they received it. Then Frank calls, yes same person you were referred to, and tells me I have to pay another 3800.00 because my building is not code I need thicker guage metal than they figured for me.
Mike Smith sold me the building, explained how great they hold up for hurricanes even called my husband and went over it with him. So I told Frank no. Then he says well we can make it smaller for same price. I said no. I said I want my money back and he said someone in authority would be calling me. I've been trying to contact them for over a month now. I was told name of Anthony as being person to speak to, he's never in and doesn't return calls. Mike and Randy were the original ones that sold the building and neither of them will call either.
I call and leave message for them and Frank calls me back. As soon as Frank called it felt like a bait and switch scam. They are holding our money hostage demanding more money just as they did you which I refuse to send as I have a contract for a set amount and I'm not going to pay them another dime just so they can ask for more and not deliver what they promise.
Oh, not to mention they offer free year of storage for these buildings they "have to get out". How many times can they sell one building and get away with taking peoples money and not delivering a bulding?
Timothy
Valparaiso,Indiana,
U.S.A.
Don't sign that release!
#8Consumer Comment
Fri, October 28, 2005
Do NOT sign the release. But I'm sure you already knew that.
Whether you are legally entitled to your money back I'm not sure. You have a failry complicated situation on your hands. The ONLY way for you to find out if the law is on your side would be to speak with a lawyer. And who knows, maybe a letter from an attorney alone could get you a refund.
At any rate, it seems pretty clear that you were scammed. And the release form only affirms this.
Good luck!
Timothy
Valparaiso,Indiana,
U.S.A.
Don't sign that release!
#8Consumer Comment
Fri, October 28, 2005
Do NOT sign the release. But I'm sure you already knew that.
Whether you are legally entitled to your money back I'm not sure. You have a failry complicated situation on your hands. The ONLY way for you to find out if the law is on your side would be to speak with a lawyer. And who knows, maybe a letter from an attorney alone could get you a refund.
At any rate, it seems pretty clear that you were scammed. And the release form only affirms this.
Good luck!
David
Washington,District of Columbia,
U.S.A.
Ripoff in DC
#8Author of original report
Thu, October 27, 2005
Dave, I needed plans to submit to permit office, no exceptions no permit. Yes, I wish I had researched this more throughly..... You, bet. Yes, I'm the dope....
Dave
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Good Luck
#8Consumer Comment
Thu, October 27, 2005
I wanted to build a garage on my property, so I called the building inspector BEFORE, just to find out any conditions... Why didn't you call before spending that kind of money, ESPECIALLY since you KNEW there might be a problem!!!!
Kinda your fault there bud, although, I agree that $3400.00 is way too much of a non-refundable deposit... plans do not cost that much for a metal building! Call them back and record the conversation. Then take them to court.
David
Washington,District of Columbia,
U.S.A.
president of U.S. Buildings
#8Author of original report
Thu, October 27, 2005
Oh, Yes the president of U.S. Buildings is Gary Rack. Just thought you should know who will send the letter saying you've lost your deposit and you can't say anything about it. Ya, right.