Donna Farrow Company, Donna Farrow & Co Pro Property Lying, unfair, incompetent staff that refuses to honor agreements Saint Joseph, Missouri

   I will say it would have saved me a lot of unwanted drama. I won't display just how unprofessional and uneducated the company portrays. I'll even go as far as to say that in a very small way, I can understand keeping property Owners happy and wanting to continue doing business with them. However, there is also another side of their duties, and that is to those who reside in the properties.

   This paragraph is a brief summary of just what this management company has seemingly forgotten about..

      One of the biggest responsibilities of the property management company is to handle tenant interactions. When a tenant needs to contact someone about the property, they contact the property manager. For example, when the toilet overflows and floods the unit, the property manager will get a phone call. The property manager has to be able to deal with stressful situations and make the best of a crisis. Property management companies have to deal with the problems that tenants have and try to make them happy.

      As mentioned in this customer's report, they have also went against Missouri common law, and entered my apt. without notice. What is really ironic, is the fact they also lied to me about how and why it happened. I doubt seriously you will see a reply back on the matter, due to the fact, the individuals related to the incident admitted readily to the fact keys were handed to them with knowledge they needed in. Of course they didn't wish to face breaking and entering charges, as well as common sense would dictate with such a big *responsibility* to a consumer tenant's safety and privacy, it would show even less professionalism, to readily hand out a key, with no knowledge of why or at least accompanying them to the property.
  
 I won't go on in this reply, for 2 reasons. One being there's pending issues within the courts, and secondly, I plan to file a new report that will include the mounds of lies and disregard. Just remember to come back and read the almost comical actions. Case in point. I'll ask all that read this, just how long they would wait to unclog a kitchen sink. Not only for yourself, but to a tenant that ultimately is responsible for them to even get paid.  I'm going out on a limb here, but I doubt many of you felt 7 days, with standing water, was a proper response time.  Just say-in...

  One last food for thought. I noticed the swiftness of those that replied, found it quite easy to copy and paste words they could even put the efforts into creating. So much lack of effort, that they even failed to also include, the BBB can only grade on complaints sent in by consumers.  Here's just a very small part of quite an eye-opening article.

 The bureau name connotes ethical business practices, fairness and consumer protection. But critics say the Better Business Bureau of the Southland engages in practices that discourage complaints. Until just a few months ago, the bureau charged consumers $5 to lodge a complaint about a business over the telephone.

The Register findings include:

The bureau lists with a "satisfactory" or "clear" record more than 50 businesses that have been sued or disciplined by government agencies for shoddy or illegal practices.

The businesses were identified during a check of about 150 firms listed on the bureau's Web site, www.bbbsouthland.org.

At least three businesses accused by California regulators of a pattern of consumer fraud are still members of the Southland bureau.

The bureau gives members an additional chance to clear complaints from their record.

Several business owners alleged that bureau telemarketers promised they could clean up their company record if they paid annual membership fees ranging from $300 to $600. The dues are based on a company's size.

William G. Mitchell, the president of the Southland bureau, acknowledged problems with his telemarketing staff and said he has moved to correct them. But he said no business records were sanitized and that his office never authorized any such offers. He also expressed frustration with the quality of the bureau's reports on individual companies.

"Our information is not always right," said Mitchell, who earns $245,000 a year. "Is that a good thing? No, it's not a good thing. I'd love to be able to report all this information, but there are limits to the resources and the people. I think we do a hell of a good job with the budget we have."

Others are not convinced.

"If you put out information that purports to be accurate and it's not, sometimes it's worse than no information," said Gail Hillebrand, a senior staff attorney with Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports.

Watchdog or protector?

For more than 75 years, U.S. consumers have relied on the bureau's torch logo and its pledge to encourage integrity in the marketplace. Each local bureau is independent and nonprofit - a franchise of the national organization. Some consumers mistakenly believe the bureau is a public agency. It is not. It is funded almost exclusively by businesses on its membership roster. Consumer advocates say the membership dues create a conflict of interest for the bureau.

Better Business Bureaus nationwide field complaints about local businesses, warn consumers about fraudulent practices, and contract with some corporations, such as major auto companies, to provide dispute resolution over manufacturing defects. But they have no enforcement powers.

The Southland bureau says it provides 159,000 reports a month to consumers - either on the telephone, by mail or on its Web site. The bureau says it has these reports on more than half of the 351,000 companies that do business in Southern California. About 17,200 companies are members.

The bureau warns the public about many questionable companies, such as those offering work-at-home schemes, credit repair and advance-fee loans. Companies in these industries are not allowed to become members.

But consumers logging on to the bureau Web site can't learn how many complaints have been filed against a company. And if there are complaints, the reports often don't say what they are.

"When the BBB has a bad report on a business, you can be sure the business is bad," said Ed Magedson, a consumer advocate and creator of RipoffReport.com, a Web site that allows consumers to file, and view, any complaint about a business. "But there are a lot of times when there are bad reports on members and you will never hear about it."


Through public records, Web sites and newsletters, the Register found more than 40 businesses that had lost their state plumbing, contracting or auto repair licenses for serious violations. These companies were accused of abandoning projects, performing sloppy work and diverting funds. But they were listed by the bureau as having a satisfactory or clear business record.

Other businesses with troubled records also have clear bureau reports, including a major residential landlord, a chain of auto body shops, an eyeglass maker, and several nail salons.

The newspaper chose companies that had problems in the past and checked the bureau's ratings for each.

Bureau member George Brazil Plumbing of Culver City, which also does business as Mike Diamond Plumbing and Orange County Services Inc., had its licenses suspended for 30 days and was placed on two years probation in 1999 for failing to obtain building permits, abandoning a project, failing to complete a contract for the agreed upon price, and false advertising, according to the Contractors State License Board.

The company did not contest the charges, state documents show, and agreed to pay restitution to consumers plus $11,110 in costs. Michael Diamond did not respond to calls seeking comment.

The bureau's nonpublic files show 34 consumer complaints against Diamond and 15 against Brazil in the past three years, officials said. But the bureau's Web site listed the plumber as having a "satisfactory" business record. The bureau amended its reports in this case and a half- dozen other companies after interviews with the Register.

The ratings of George Brazil and Mike Diamond were changed last month to include a complaint history that reveals that some consumers felt overcharged.

Mitchell said George Brazil's membership was suspended in 1997 by the staff after a series of complaints. But Diamond himself appealed to the bureau's board, which overruled the staff and re instated his membership.

Mitchell said his staff later reviewed the complaint history against Brazil, determined that it had improved, and revised the firm's report, giving it a "satisfactory" rating. At that time Brazil was still on probation.

"The report shouldn't have said that,'' Mitchell conceded. "I can't explain why the probation wasn't reflected."

The revised report on George Brazil still says nothing about the state discipline, suspension or probation.

Another bureau member, Arnel Management Co. of Costa Mesa, which manages 4,500 apartments in Orange County, agreed last September to pay $1.45 million to settle state attorney general allegations that it illegally overcharged thousands of tenants on security deposits, repairs and cleaning from March 1997 to September 2001. Arnel denied wrongdoing but agreed to refund $1.1 million to former renters.

Mitchell says he knew about that lawsuit. But Arnel was listed as having a "satisfactory" record until May 24. On that day, Arnel's report was updated to reflect the lawsuit and settlement.

Arnel was allowed to keep its membership, in apparent violation of the bureau's own rules: The membership agreement requires members to be "free from any governmental action directly relating to the basis of its customer relations or fraud in the marketplace."

"That's a judgment call," Mitchell said. "It's possible they could be suspended, but I haven't made up my mind."


      So see, anyone can copy and paste a collection of words to lessen their evils. One might even ask just how many errors of judgement, unethical practices, and incidents placing individuals in harms way, does it take for the actual owner or management to see there is a problem

Ahmed sounds honestly like your report is sketchy and vary vague.  Several things make me disregard your report is that you left out key details and did not establish a pattern/timeline of the property manager to alleviate the problem or provide adequate correction to the problem.

Here is the clear thing you mis-identified and here is what your report doesn't mention:

1.  In the image of the scanned letter that you posted, it clearly shows both you and your wife signing the document.  In your post you stated that they broke verbal agreements to repay your security deposit of 700.00.   Yet in the letter it clearly states that the property owners would let you out of your rental contract and that you were to return the home in move in ready condition.  The key is that right in the very last line it states that you are aware and agree that you would relinquish your 700.00 security deposit.

2.  Why not post a timeline of specific maintnence issues that you experienced and dates and times that they serviced your property and failed to fix the deficiencies.  Sorry but no timeline further discredits your ability to establish Donna Farrow Company as liable, deadbeat property managers. 

3.  You signed a 1 year legally binding lease.  You broke the lease by moving out early.  Most if not all standard rental contracts state in the lease that if you break the contract, that you are liable for all rents due for the remainder of your lease period and in addition usually you will forfeit the security deposit.

Nowhere in your letter or in any other part of your post did you provide credible documents showing or stating that Donna Farrow acting as representative of their client that you were relieved of paying rent, all the document states is that you were being given permission to break your lease early and that your deposit was forfeited.   Did you think that you wouldn't have to pay the remainder of your rent.

You seriously should re-consider being a renter because if you jump through hoops to break leases and then make what I believe to be false claims against the property agency who just manages your lease and does routine upkeep on the house for the client, then you are probably a deadbeat tenant who expects the world given to them and has the highest standards of demands.  

When you sign a lease it protects you and the rental owner, it sounds like in this case that the lease prevailed on the side of the property management company and you are just bitter.  You have the right to inspect a property when you move in and have a right not to accept the property in the condition its in or if the property owner will not remedy the situation, then you can not take possession of the property.  Once you take possession of the property, its your responsibility to report deficiencies as they happen in a timely manner.  If the company does not fix the problems, then you have legal remedies at that point to break your lease.

It personally sounds like to me that you made outrageous repair or improvement demands and when the property management company contacted the property owners they weren't willing to comply or invest in what you were asking for.  Honestly when you rent older homes and pay a subpar amount to rent the property, don't expect to buy more than what your dollar actually bought which was a place to lay your head, cook your meals, and shower.  You want lavish and luxary, then pay for it.

Donna Farrow Company has posted an insignificant reply that utilizes their marketing material to create the aura of a professional company. Pamela Morse and Donna Ball have not acted professionally by issuing a lease termination that they failed to later honor. Content updates and updates about my forthcoming legal case are soon coming to donnafarrowcompanylies.com  

BBB Accredited Business since 3/19/2009

Donna Farrow & Company

Phone: (816) 364-0100Fax: (816) 232-9991 2400 Frederick Ave Suite 101, Saint Joseph, MO 64506 http://www.donnafarrowcompany.com

Send to CellA BBB Accredited Business since 3/19/2009

BBB has determined that Donna Farrow & Company meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.

Reason for Rating

BBB rating is based on 16 factors. Get the details about the factors considered.

Factors that raised the rating for Donna Farrow & Company include:

         Length of time business has been operating.

         Complaint volume filed with BBB for business of this size.

         Response to 1 complaint(s) filed against business.

         Resolution of complaint(s) filed against business.

         BBB has sufficient background information on this business.

Donna Farrow & Company

Professional Property Management

         Located at present address over 20 years.  DF&C Corporation was established by President Donna Farrow Ball on 7-11-91

         Description of our business. 

Donna Farrow & Company specializes in commercial, retail, residential management and leasing and is located in the Frederick Towers at 2400 Frederick, Suite 101.  The Company also provides a wide range of consulting services for property owners and prospective purchasers of investment property.  Donna Farrow & Company operates a maintenance service to increase the rate of return on the properties in the company's profile.  Donna Farrow Ball, President of Donna Farrow & Company has been involved in the St. Joseph Real Estate market for 34 years.  She has been active in property management since 1983. Donna Farrow & Company's #1 goal is to provide superior service to the firms clients.

 Donna has built her company on referrals and reputation.

  Her philosophy is to structure management services to increase client equity

 for long-term investment and minimize costs.

         DF&C takes great pride in our business

The satisfaction of providing a service that is strongly needed in our community

has provided the basis for our growth.

         Why do customers choose your business? 

Customers choose Donna Farrow & Company because it has a reputation in the community for

providing responsive and personal service to its clients, which will always be our #1 priority.

         Our business is unique.

Donna Farrow & Company was established by its high level of personal service which is possible even with a high degree of growth by full automation, professional training of our personnel and high standards of conduct. Donna Farrow & Company provides a broad scope of management and leasing services which allows clients to select various services to meet their individual requirements.

Let us be of assistance for all your real estate management and leasing needs!

Business Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5 and by appointment evenings and weekends

Donna Farrow & Company

2400 Frederick Suite 101 St. Joseph Missouri 64506

816-364-0100 phone  fax 816-232-9991

www.donnafarrowcompany.com

E mail address: dfc@donnafarrowcompany.com

BBB Accredited Business since 3/19/2009

Donna Farrow & Company

Phone: (816) 364-0100Fax: (816) 232-9991 2400 Frederick Ave Suite 101, Saint Joseph, MO 64506 http://www.donnafarrowcompany.com

Send to CellA BBB Accredited Business since 3/19/2009

BBB has determined that Donna Farrow & Company meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.

Reason for Rating

BBB rating is based on 16 factors. Get the details about the factors considered.

Factors that raised the rating for Donna Farrow & Company include:

         Length of time business has been operating.

         Complaint volume filed with BBB for business of this size.

         Response to 1 complaint(s) filed against business.

         Resolution of complaint(s) filed against business.

         BBB has sufficient background information on this business.

Donna Farrow & Company

Professional Property Management

         Located at present address over 20 years.  DF&C Corporation was established by President Donna Farrow Ball on 7-11-91

         Description of our business. 

Donna Farrow & Company specializes in commercial, retail, residential management and leasing and is located in the Frederick Towers at 2400 Frederick, Suite 101.  The Company also provides a wide range of consulting services for property owners and prospective purchasers of investment property.  Donna Farrow & Company operates a maintenance service to increase the rate of return on the properties in the company's profile.  Donna Farrow Ball, President of Donna Farrow & Company has been involved in the St. Joseph Real Estate market for 34 years.  She has been active in property management since 1983. Donna Farrow & Company's #1 goal is to provide superior service to the firms clients.

 Donna has built her company on referrals and reputation.

  Her philosophy is to structure management services to increase client equity

 for long-term investment and minimize costs.

         DF&C takes great pride in our business

The satisfaction of providing a service that is strongly needed in our community

has provided the basis for our growth.

         Why do customers choose your business? 

Customers choose Donna Farrow & Company because it has a reputation in the community for

providing responsive and personal service to its clients, which will always be our #1 priority.

         Our business is unique.

Donna Farrow & Company was established by its high level of personal service which is possible even with a high degree of growth by full automation, professional training of our personnel and high standards of conduct. Donna Farrow & Company provides a broad scope of management and leasing services which allows clients to select various services to meet their individual requirements.

Let us be of assistance for all your real estate management and leasing needs!

Business Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5 and by appointment evenings and weekends

Donna Farrow & Company

2400 Frederick Suite 101 St. Joseph Missouri 64506

816-364-0100 phone  fax 816-232-9991

www.donnafarrowcompany.com

E mail address: dfc@donnafarrowcompany.com