US Metal Buildings Lie, Lie, Lie, Fraud Deerfield Beach Florida

Victimized!!!

I completed an online form on the US Metal Buildings website in order to download a brochure. Several days later I was contacted by phone (near the end of the work-day) the day before Christmas Eve. The sales pitch went like this: US Metal Buildings is a wholesale company that typically sells to retailers only. But today they are doing things a little differently. I was told that a local retailer in my area had recently shut down causing US Metal Buildings to have to liquidate approximately 200 prefabbed buildings at discounted wholesale prices in a matter of weeks before the end of the year in preparation for a large steel order. But I had to act fast since there were only a few select buildings left, and if they had one available that met my requirements, it could be offered to me at 50% off the regular price. To my surprise, they just happened to have one that would work for me. I told the sales rep that it appeared to be a good deal, but I don’t make deals like this on a whim, so I would have to get back to him. He told me that the building would not be available if I waited until after the holidays because anything that remained unsold at the end of the year would be sent to auction, but if I signed an agreement to hold the building today, it would ensure that the building remained in the warehouse without an obligation to buy. Having had a few drinks while doing a little Christmas celebrating prior to the call, I agreed against my better judgment. The form I was sent included a section of fine print that was so small and blurred from the fax that I couldn’t read it.

I also noted that the form requested credit card information. So, I called the sales rep back and told him I wasn’t signing the document without being able to read the fine print, and asked why he needed my credit card information if he was just holding the building for me. He replied saying that it’s company policy, but that my card would not be charged. So he faxed another form with the section of fine print completely eliminated; he never did tell me what it said. After the holidays, I received some building diagrams in the mail. I called the company to find out why I had received diagrams for a building that I had not submitted plans for, since I had not committed to purchasing the building. I was told that they were generic plans meant to give me an idea of what the building design would be like, and once I submitted my plans and signed a purchase agreement, I would be sent more specific diagrams for the building.

After doing some research, I discovered that US Metal Buildings had a history of bad business practices and found many complaints of unethical methods and pressure sales tactics very similar to what I experienced. After a couple of days, the sales Rep called asking me to submit detailed plans for the building, to which I replied that I had decided not purchase a building at this time. After a few minutes of manipulative conversation that was going nowhere, he told me I would be responsible for the deposit that I had initially paid. I told him I had not paid a deposit. He insisted that I had, and faxed me a purchase agreement including a non-refundable blueprint deposit that did not exist on the original form, and the section of fine print that was omitted on the original form I signed to hold the building. And guess what the fine print said, “Upon cancellation of order, Buyer and Seller both agree that 50% of the total price equates to probable damages suffered by seller, and shall be paid by buyer to seller immediately after cancellation of order.” I immediately contacted my credit card company and discovered that I had indeed been charged several thousand dollars. This is FRAUD! I disputed the charge with the credit card company, and now they’ve hired a collection agency to come after me for a deposit I did not agree to, on a building that I did not order, cancel, or receive. This company should be sued and put out of business and the owners/employees should have criminal charges filed against them. Stay away from US Metal Buildings and all of their affiliates!