Complaint Review: Meadow Homes of Cookeville - Cookeville Tn.

Misty I don't know who the heck you are.You've never spoken to me ever nor to any of my family members.Can't Pamela Cole speak for herself?After all she's the one who lied and cheated to get this contract.She had no problem calling my husband on his cell phone yelling "Your wife is trying to get me in trouble".No she did that to herself when she lied to us and to the morgage company,two of them matter of fact. Have you ever heard of a tape recorder? And you made some stupid remarks in your rebuttal. Thanks for admitting to one of Meadows lies.She stated that we got the display model. Dumb girl at the beginning that was the big problem.The first ady that we walked thru the display model I found damages right off the bat and brought them to Pamela's attention.At that time a male salesman walked into the room and informed her that it had already been sold.Pamela at that time stated that she had two more same models on their other lot.When the trailer was delivered it was the display and I complained about it.That's where Tammy got involved.My mother-in-law(owner on contract)and my husband were informed by Meadows that it was not the display,that it was in fact one of the other two on the other lot.Thanks for admitting to that lie.I have documented written proof to back me up and everything that I speak of.Sounds to me like you have nothing more than alot of hot air.Does your job mean that much to you that you don't care about the consumer nor principles?Say someone burned to death inside of a trailer sold by your company and it was because of your lies told so that they were stuck in the deal and had no other choice but to live in the home. Will you be able to sleep at night? You said that your company could not acquire financing for my husband and myself."Lier"never happened.Show this web site a turn down notice on us. As you said yourself that we never signed any forms.By law our signature has to be in written for us to apply for financing.My mother-in-law came with my husband and me to Meadows in case we needed her as a co-signer. We told Pamela that our credit was poor. It was Pamela that wanted to put it in Kathleen's name only. And it was Pamela that kept changing the contracts and did not allow Kathleen to read them because her excuse was that she(Pamela)had to get back to work. She told Kathleen that nothing had changed other than the finance company.Kathleen took her for her(Pamela)word.My mother-in-law up until this deal was a trusting person. You spoke of me starting this just because I couldn't have it all.You're partly right in that remark because your company stoled part of it.Taken away our Titan's pkg. did not give us all of our land improvements.Kathleen secured another loan for the electricty and our well for water.Meadows sure didn't help in that. You explain how a trailer started out as being $19,500 including the Titan's pkg. end up going to the finance company for $25,137.59.Adding our down payment of $1400 made the cost go up to $26,537.59?I can produce a copy of the cost of the septic to be $2,000.Meadows claims that they swapped out our Titan's pkg. deal for the land improvements.Well coman sense and the dictionary meaning of swap means that the cost would of still been $19,500.But your company took all of that away and added more than $2,000(cost of septic)to the contract.Figure up the total cost of a 52" big screen t.v.,two leather "Lazyboy" recliners,a satallite system,Dvd player,stereo,and two Titan's tickets.That comes to more than $2,000.Plus the $2,000 for the septic should of never been added onto the cost of the trailer;in your own words and Meadows it was swapped out.You also lied about Meadows on several occasions talked with me. Bull...they refussed to talk to me about the contract.And you lied about my not having any legal grounds to complain.Have you ever heard of "Power Of Attorney"? Well I so happen to be just that over this matter. Your company might have the BBB of Nashville in their back pocket but thanks to The Rip-Off reports I've been able to stop alot of people maybe thousands from buying from Meadows. And yes in deed that makes me feel good. I have more in store for Meadows but I won't give all of that away."You win over your enemies by surprise". Oh'as far as your remark about us living in and paying for this trailer,well at the time that I first put my complaint on this site we did not live in it.It was much later. My mother's trailer was much too small to cram us into it plus all of our stuff.Most of what we had in storage ruined.And having to live in this trailer scares me every single day that it will catch on fire. I should not have to live in fear.If I had of been there the day of the closing on this trailer there would of not been a signing of any contract. I think Pamela knew this and that"s why she(Pamela)requested to my mother-in-law for her to come by herself.Ther are laws out there to protect the elderly from companies like Meadows and I won't give up until I'll have them to use against Meadows.I t also sounds like to me that a class action law suite can be brought against Meadows.I'd love to hear from other's who have been treated as we have been treated.I spoke up and lodged a complaint. I think others should too. Thanks Rip-Off Reports for putting this on your web site to help consumers.

In December of 2000 my mother and I went to a mobile home lot where Meadows and bought all the homes and started looking around. I looked at one home and one home only! And decided to purchase that home. I put down $500 then the sales person, Josh Lawson, said I had to have $2000 more to put down, so I gave that to them also. And at that time Josh said that no one else had put money down, but I found out later they took money from 5 different people on the same house!!! But it took weeks for them to even start to work on my lot, which already had the sewer,electric pole, and water, the day they finally delivered the house, my mother calls me at work and tells me that it is the wrong house. I left work and went to look, the house that I looked at was still sitting in the same spot that it was when I looked at it the first time. I then waited until Meadows opened and was told that Josh wasn't in that day. I told the man that I was speaking too the problem and he called Josh. Josh then came down to the house, but we discovered that they had delivered the furniture also in which they weren't supposed to. I called my uncle, the man they bought the homes from in the first place, and talked to him about me keeping the furniture. I called Josh Lawson and Robin Meadows and told them that my uncle said to not touch the furniture, but they came in and took the furniture anyway. But they ended up bringing back a few weeks later. Josh Lawson and Robin Meadows told me and my mother that we were lying because we looked at more houses than just one, and the one they delivered is the one that I said I wanted, but to their dismay, we described the other house right down to a t!!!! And they kept saying that the house I got was better and more expensive than the other house, but found out later that once again I was lied too. But they didn't lower my price even after I brought this to their attention... Josh told me that my interest rate would go down after I started making my payments, but that was also a lie. I had to go down to the lot several times to find out why they weren't setting my house, but all I got was the run around. Finally I went down there and told them that I had to move out of my apartment that weekend and they had to start working on the house. That is when I finally got the keys after several weeks of the house just sitting there. It went on for several more weeks that all I had was problems.... I got a letter from the mortage company that they didn't turn in any insurance for the house, so I had to make another trip down there. They were supposed to come put a tiny piece of vinyl on the gable end, but that took several weeks. Everytime I would call, Tammy would say "that piece hasn't come in yet." How long does it take to get a tiny piece of vinyl???? I told Robin Meadows and everybody in that office that word of mouth is the best advertisment that there is for a business, and I will make sure that everyone knows what happened and I will make sure that everyone I know or will come in contact with will not purchase a home from them because they are nothing but crooks!!!!! And other people around this area have had nothing but problems with them also.

Misty,

That's right, I'm entitled to my opinion..

Well I guess it's time for your company's reputation to start changing, because this customer is definitely unsatisfied. How may other complaints have you had so far? We have a few e-mailed complaints, but they are all afraid to file a Rip-off Report in fear of retaliation, including getting screwed with their financing. How long have you been trying to hold on to your alleged reputation?

Just my opinion, ..but it sounds to me like you gave her the old royal screwing.. It does seem to me like there is some truth to what you say, but your twisting it around picking on these people who don't have as much money or the business savvy and experience you have. Sounds to me like you have made all sorts of promises to them, getting them to sign the paper work, hoping they go away with their tail between their legs? hmmmm?

I think you need to reread everything over again and see what you can do for them.

Maybe a little picket in front of your business for about 7 days to see what others in your neighborhood think about this, we'll just take a little survey, letting the people read the victims' complaints and then read your rude response with all YOUR RUDE AND HARD TO READ CAPITAL LETTERS...

You also say "WE TRY TO CONDUCT OUR BUSINESS BOTH ETHICALLY AND FAIRLY WITH OUR CUSTOMERS WELL BEING IN MIND." ... you need to try a little harder here don't you. Or, you will not be able to say anymore, that you have no complaints, will you?

ED Magedson
[email protected]
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

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Remember.
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Make sure they make the Rip-off Report.

AFTER READING YOUR EDITOR'S NOTE IT HAS BECOME EVIDENT TO ME THAT THIS SITE IS MERELY AN OUTLET FOR FRUSTRATED PEOPLE TO BASH COMPANIES WHO TRY TO MAKE A GOOD NAME FOR THEMSELVES. I AM AWARE THAT CUSTOMER SERVICE ISSUES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND HANDLED PROMPTLY AND WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DO JUST THAT... ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS.

I EXPLAINED EARLIER THAT WE HAD ATTEMPTED TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE HOME BUT WERE REFUSED BY THE COUPLE LIVING IN IT. THE FACTORY THAT MANUFACTURED THE HOME WAS ALLOWED TO MAKE REPAIRS AS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY.

I FEEL THAT ALL OF THE VALID POINTS OF HER COMPLAINT HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED. HER MAIN PROBLEM WITH US IS THAT SHE DIDN'T GET THE MERCHANDISE ADVERTISED WITH THE HOME, WE HAVE ALREADY COVERED THAT POINT. FROM THERE, SHE HAS TAKEN ISSUE WITH RECEIVING A DISPLAY MODEL HOME, WHICH SHE PERSONALLY WALKED THROUGH AND INSPECTED. THIS SAME HOME IS IDENTIFIED ON THE BUYER'S PAPERWORK. THERE WAS NO "BAIT & SWITCH". OUR SERVICE RECORDS INDICATE THAT WE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE MINOR COSMETIC FLAWS THAT WERE NEEDED, BUT THEY REFUSED TO ALLOW US. THEY DID LET THE FACTORY CORRECT PROBLEMS, SO THAT ISSUE WAS HANDLED.

IT WAS NEVER STATED THAT HER COMPLAINT WAS NOT VALID BECAUSE OF OUR COMPANY'S REPUTATION. WE HAVE ADDRESSED THE COMPLAINT WITH HER PERSONALLY AS WELL AS ON YOUR SITE. WE HAVE TRIED REPEATEDLY TO MAKE THIS CUSTOMER HAPPY, BUT AS I SAID BEFORE, IT SEEMS THAT SOME PEOPLE CAN'T BE PLEASED. I HAVE REVIEWED HER COMPLAINT AGAIN AFTER READING YOUR "NOTE", BUT CAN'T SEE ANYTHING THAT I FAILED TO ADDRESS. I DO NOT CLAIM TO BE ANY SORT OF LEGAL PROFESSIONAL, BUT I DO HAVE INSIDE INFORMATION WITH THIS PARTICULAR HOME BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR MANY MONTHS NOW TO NO AVAIL. I AM IN AGREEMENT WITH YOU THAT PROBLEMS BOTH BIG AND SMALL SHOULD BE HANDLED SWIFTLY, AND WE TRY TO DO JUST THAT.

WE ARE SORRY THAT WE HAVE AN UNHAPPY CUSTOMER, BUT WE HAVE MANY MORE THAT ARE COMPLETELY SATISIFIED WITH MEADOWS HOMES AND DO BUSINESS WITH US REPEATEDLY AS WELL AS REFERRING THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES TO US. WE TRY TO CONDUCT OUR BUSINESS BOTH ETHICALLY AND FAIRLY WITH OUR CUSTOMERS WELL BEING IN MIND. WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS SUCCESSFULLY FOR MANY YEARS FOR A REASON...WE OFFER QUALITY PRODUCTS AT FAIR PRICES AND KEEP CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AS A PRIMARY OBJECTIV

Hi Missy,

Your REBUTTAL (not inside information from an employee, as you tried to wrongly misdirect) is so full of falacies that I don't know where to start. One of your first falacies is when you suggested that this complaint has no validity because of your reputation and history.

This is a very common customer service error. One seemingly insignificant problem should be dealt with promptly and with as much urgency as you would for a major complaint. This is how reputations are built.

You addressed some of the issues but not all of them. What about the cosmetic flaws. Don't try to duck the issue by pretending to be an outhouse lawyer and spewing the fact that their mama is the real owner and she is not complaining. Let these people get their satisfaction and handle these problems for them. What mother would not want her kids to get her money's worth in this situation. Can't you see how bad your response makes you look?

You knew exactly what the deal was and is on this house. Please don't try to take the stance that you are sticking up for the nice old lady, when you really were just trying to stick it to them all.

Sincerely,

ED Magedson
[email protected]

This letter is written in response to the "Bait & Switch" rip-off report listed on this site.

Meadows Homes is the largest independently owned manufactured housing dealer in the state of Tennessee and has been in business for over 20 years. Meadows Homes' extensive background in the housing industry is due to quality products, experienced salespeople and an excellent reputation for customer satisfaction. We strive daily to maintain that reputation, but occasionally "that" customer will come along who simply can't be pleased. This particular customer falls into that category.

In the Fall of 2001, we ran a promotion called the "Touchdown Special". This promotion entitled the customer to several items including a big screen tv, stereo, dvd player, 2 leather recliners and 2 tickets to a TN Titans game with the purchase of select model homes. The home that this customer chose qualified for the promotional items, however with their poor credit history, we could not obtain financing for them.

As a result, the couple asked a relative to sign for them. This lady, who obviously loved her son enough to put her credit on the line for him to have a home, was able to obtain financing, but not enough funds to finish the land improvements needed (septic system, electricity and other necessities)without additional expense. She chose to use the funds that were available to make these improvements rather than tying them up with promotional merchandise.

Since she was the only person financially responsible for the home, this was her decision to make. Evidently, the couple that she signed for thought that the luxuries of a big screen tv, dvd, stereo, etc. were more important than running water and power and as a result were upset with her decision. They could not have it all for the same price (home + land improvements + promotional merchandise) but did not seem to understand that and became very upset and cried "BAIT & SWITCH".

The display model home that was delivered is the exact home that they did a visual walk through inspection on and is the same home that is identified on the purchase contract according to the serial I.D. numbers. So you see, there was no "bait & switch".

According to service records, our company attempted to repair the home's slight imperfections after delivery on several occasions, but the couple refused. They have since allowed the factory to make repairs as covered by the warranty. The couple is presently living in the home and making payments on the contract that they "claim" the finance company is going to break.

The person filing this complaint on your website and anywhere else that will listen does not have her name anywhere on the paperwork for this home, and therefore has no legal ground on which to launch this soapbox campaign. The actual owner of the home has had no complaints to us.

This all comes down to the fact that the couple does not have the luxury of a big screen tv or a fancy stereo system in their new home. If this poor complaining woman is this unhappy with us as a company, I would hate to be in the shoes of the nice lady who actually signed for the home to give her and her family a place to live.