Palm Harbor Homes / Tony Duehring ,Sales Rep Tried to force me to make deposit, tried to convince me I couldn't find anything else in my budget other than their homes. Dawsonville Georgia

Earlier this month my boyfriend and I decided to drive up to the Palm Harbor Homes show room in Dawsonville, GA. Our main goal was to see what they had to offer and if we would even be able to afford the homes. We were only interested in their modular homes as we've both lived in a double wide and decided that's not what we wanted.

Being first time home buyers we're determined not to settle for something just to say we own a home. We walk in and are immediately greeted by a sales rep, I mentioned how I briefly spoke with a man named Tony just a few days before and he showed me to his office. Within 10mins of talking with Tony as he asked us what our budget was and what we were looking for, I made it clear I did not want a double wide home PERIOD.

After about 30 minutes of chatting and pulling both our credit reports to see if we were "worthy" enough to view some of their models he offered us some water. I took a bottle as I was so parched. A few minutes later we venture out the back of the office onto the "show room lot" and here's where it's obvious I won't be seeing ANY modular homes because the only homes out there were double/triple wides. I agree to look at three of the properties he has to offer just to see what they were like (even though 45mins prior I had flat out said I did not want a double wide).

Although the inside of these homes were absolutely beautiful none of them were what we wanted - again we want a house. After looking at them we go back inside where we're introduced to the General Manager, Jason. He's very nice and friendly and we were all able to cut up a little.

Now came the sales pitch - "What can we do to get you into a new home?" I explained we would need time to think about this as it's not really what we wanted. The General Manager proceeds to ask me "What do you need to think about?? You've already told us you're paying a lot in rent, wouldn't you rather own?" They began looking at our credit scores together and decided we had excellent scores and would probably qualify for "PREMIERE" interest rates.

Here comes the beginning of the scam - they tell me I have to make a $500 deposit in order to find out from their bank what I will be qualified for. I have never heard this before - I can get pre-approved left and right but never have to worry about paying a deposit unless I want the property!! I was very hesitant as we're trying to pay for our cruise, not to mention we live in an apartment so we're already paying all kinds of bills. I eventually gave in thinking this was our only option of owning anything - crazy right...considering this is not at all how I felt walking in the door.

I asked before giving my card what their modular homes started at and he said $134k (obviously above our price range). So once I heard that, I gave them my card info but made them write on their form for the lender if the price comes back too high the deposit is refundable. So we left their offices and later on that day and all day Sunday we were debating whether or not we had made a good decision.

On Sunday I call their office and leave a message for the office manager that I do not feel comfortable making a decision like that so quickly and would prefer she not charge my card. On Monday morning at 9am I called and spoke with the office manager directly and explained to her I didn't feel comfortable with this and wanted to hold off...she told me "Not a problem, I completely understand". Not even 2 minutes later I have a voice mail on my phone from Tony asking me to give him a call.

At 6:45pm that evening I receive another voice mail but this time from the General Manager and his message says "Hey Amanda, this is Jason at Palm Harbor Homes, please give me a call about your deposit". Now I'm freaking out...I couldn't tell by his voice if he had conned the office manager into running my card because he thought he could win me over or if they were going to charge it regardless?? I tried finding Tony's home number and Jason's home number hoping I could speak to someone immediately about this situation...of course no luck.

At 9am on Tuesday I finally speak with Tony and this is where not only am I called an idiot in all ways but the obvious, I am also told I don't know my facts and I can't do anything else. Tony tells me I can't find a stick built home or foreclosed home for the prices they are willing to offer me...I asked him how he would know what they can offer me if he can't run numbers w/o having a $500 deposit. He goes forward trying to tell me every lender requires a down payment - huh?? I keep repeating I do not feel comfortable making such a huge decision on just a few days notice either so I would like time to think about it.

He starts his 20 questions again "What do you need to think about Amanda? Are you going to rent forever or purchase your home?" he also went on to tell me my ONLY option was to purchase a Palm Harbor Home and in 3-4 years when I have built up some equity sell the house and I'll have a down payment for another. I got so fed up with being belittled I just told him I would never purchase a home from Palm Harbor and would be sure to let EVERY ONE I know NOT to either.

Both of these guys came of so nice and helpful but as soon as I said I wasn't sure they turned into jerks....I felt worse talking to them than I did with a car salesman. BEWARE OF 'PREDATORY' PALM HARBOR HOMES (in Dawsonville, GA anyway)!!!

Amanda
Gainesville, Georgia
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Palm Harbor Homes