Michael
Walhalla,#2Author 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,#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.