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Van Pelt Custom Homes ripoff reproachable customer service money hungry Kingman Arizona
I made two mistakes in my new home construction from Van Pelt Custom Homes. The first mistake was mine in that my deposit check bounced but to my I received an Ultimatum from Shannon Van Pelt when she said, If we don't have your check by Monday we won't be building your house. Being the first check that I ever bounced in my life I complied but in hind sight I made the second mistake with Van Pelt Custom Homes by getting a Cashier's Check to them by Monday and continuing with the contract. I would like to tell you my story of a money hungry anti-customer service organization lead by Shannon Van Pelt. She in effect says, F--- Ywhen you ask questions and if Shannon Van Pelt is calling you regarding the construction process it means one of two things; you will have to jump through hoops to make her happy or that she needs money immediately.
When I was inspecting a model home near their office with Willard Van Pelt the owner of the operation I made a comment about cost, meaning I would like to negotiate on price and he had a quick reply of, Everybody wants to get paid Bill. When you are purchasing the MOST expensive item that a person can purchase there is always room for negotiation and the bottom line is the customer is always right. Well Willard I have a favorite phrase too and it's My favorite color is green in my wallet.
The price when negotiated is not the price advertised and that should be made clear. Everything that is needed for the house comes with an extra price. All of the allowances for appliances, flooring, and electrical fixtures are for the bare bones basics. If you save any money on any of the allowances they will only demand that you spend the excess money on the remaining allowances. This is per the words of Susan, Willard Van Pelt's sister-in-law, We don't write checks to the customer, you have to spend the remaining money. But when Shannon Van Pelt thinks that you are trying to get the house that you really want she will try her hardest to discourage and offer you a check for $50 dollars to make you happy with something that she wants.
The construction process started off bad in that the foundation, which I inspected after the framing was complete was not to spec and had to be modified to mount the framing to the foundation. When 20% of the lag bolts in the concrete do not line up with the framing and the framer cuts them off and butchers the wood to try and make them fit and then some one else drills holes into the concrete to epoxy new bolts in the correct position cracking the foundation in several places that is obviously inexcusable.
Also while inspecting the house prior to the drywall being installed I got to see the electrical and plumbing for the house. This is the third new house that I am in the process of building and never have I seen such CHEAP plumbing. Rather than use copper piping the subcontractor used blue and red vinyl tubing for the plumbing. For the price that I am paying for this house it would be reasonable to use a reasonable material. But for the money hungry Shannon Van Pelt who could care less about the customer what's in her pocket is all that matters and to hell with the customer.
When I made my last trip out to Kingman to pick out my tile flooring I went to several contractors in the area. I reluctantly used their subcontractor knowing that there would be problems or at least high prices. But to my surprise I found something that I liked and for a very good price as well. But then the problems began and Shannon Van Pelt was the focal point of it all. The subcontractor waited until two weeks before the scheduled installation to order the material and there would be a one month delivery delay. Now with a problem Shannon Van Pelt called me and left a message I need to speak with you regarding your tile flooring immediately. I tried calling four times over two days and there was no answer. When I finally did get through Shannon Van Pelt was once again the bringer of bad news and demanded That you go to Celestial Tile and pick out something else. She further went on to tell me that the tile is back ordered to September 1. I told her NO and that I would wait. To this I heard a gasp in her voice as how dare you tell me NO. I'll fill you in when I signed my contract for this house Willard Van Pelt stated the house would be complete in six months from the signing. With a September 1 delivery of the flooring that will leave 7 weeks to the original completion date. What's the big hurry I would rather get the house completed in a reasonable fashion than in a hurried mistake filled state.
Then Shannon Van Pelt made her next demand on a Thursday, If you don't get Willard a Cashier's Check by Monday at 11:00am the kitchen cabinets would not go in. That's when I demanded to speak to Willard as this working arrangement would not work any longer. Willard explained to me that his daughter was young and that she didn't know how to work with people yet. I would just like to say with Willard's multimillion dollar per year business he better get people who can work with people. Willard assured me that he understood all of my concerns and that he agreed with me on all counts and that things would get better in the near future.
Then the next news of a price increase came when I picked out an upgraded kitchen sink and faucet. Shannon Van Pelt quoted the plumbing subcontractors prices of $520 and $320 respectively. I immediately went to my local Home Depot and bought upgraded plumbing fixtures for the entire house and shipped them to Van Pelt for a total of $440. This is just one example of their over priced subcontractors. I further asked in writing for a quote on the standard prices of these fixtures for the house and Shannon Van Pelt never got back to me so I then went back to Home Depot and took photos of the same brand of fixtures and used these prices to come up with a debit against my final payment.
I made a simple request for a turn shut off valve on the dryer gas hook up in the garage. Shannon Van Pelt said she was looking in to it. But as usual after two and a half weeks there is no response and no customer service. The plumber is most likely long gone from the job site and will not be willing to make the effort. This is just a single example of how little the Shannon Van Pelt cares about making their customers happy with a simple $10.00 request.
To summarize my experience with Van Pelt Custom Homes: I never should have entered this contract as they are very unprofessional as exampled by the actions of Shannon Van Pelt, although they seem to be a reputable home builder in fact you don't get what your paying for, their quality is beyond reproach.
William
Goleta, California
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Shannon
Kingman,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Smart Van Pelt Custom Homes laughs at William's letter
#2REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, August 29, 2006
At first I thought it best to ignore William's ridiculous rants but after a good laugh I would like to clarify a few items.
First: He does admit his $27,000 check bounced - atleast he's honest about that - and any SMART small business company/owner would then recommend that any further monies collected would need to be either a wire transfer or cashier's check. I handled this in the utmost professional manner, and explained we would not be able to go forward until the initial deposit did clear. It is my understanding that is the way the world works - when you pay for something you shall receive service/merchandise, etc. correct? IF you don't pay for it then there is liable to be a lag in receiving something, correct?
I'll move on past the next few paragraphs because they are all garbage and proof that ignorance is rampant today.
Second: Regarding the tile: I did leave Bill a message to please contact me regarding his tile as soon as possible, because it was backordered and we would be at a month delay, so ordering new tile would be critical to keep on schedule. I explained the situtaion to Bill and he exclaimed/shrieked, "I am not driving to Kingman to pick up new tile - that will cost me $300 dollars, etc, etc etc." Before I even had a chance to explain to him that he could pick out tile at a Home Depot or the like and we would then be able to coordinate with our sub-contractor to order it, the conversation was terminated by Bill. The gasp he claimed to hear was my obvious alarm and shock at the tone of his voice with me, which was extremely inappropriate and unbusinesslike. Nobody likes being talked to like a piece of s**t. Bill likes talking to people like that. Let me claify, Bill likes speaking rudely and mean to women. Ladies - beware!!
Third: By my mentioning that the cabinets would be going in at the beginning of the next week prompted BILL TO SAY "I am going to the bank today and will be sending off a cashier's check, which you should have by Friday." He obviously knew his draw schedule - which is in a contract he signed. I think this stems back to being embarrassed his first check bounced. Bill must dream about me in whips and chains making these so-called demands to him. One other thing - Bill didn't like the fact that I told him via voice mail, "I would appreciate if you would please talk respectfully to me the next time we converse, as to continue to make this a nice business transaction and allow you to enjoy your beautiful home at the end of the project. I have no interest in being talked to in a disrespectful manner."
I'll move on past the next few paragraphs of lies. Lastly, I quoted Bill prices from our plumber, which I have no control over, but knew we would be able to work out the small amount of allowance he did have coming to him so to make sure those monies didn't "disappear." I had every intention of making sure he received the information he requested and to contact the subs with his requests. I did contact the plumber about the 1/4 turn shut off valve and evidently Bill didn't receive my email that I did take care of it. The plumber hasn't been to the house yet, as the tile was backordered (remember?) and he comes in after tile is set to put in toilets, etc. So, the plumber is aware of this request.
And I'll close with this: It is my understanding William is attending law school. I would like to recommend him if you are in the market for a GREAT LIAR, I mean, Lawyer.
Thank you for allowing me the chance to clarify William's lies.
Sincerely,
Shannon Van Pelt