This is a response to a recent comment about being fair to Champion.
In all fairness, less than two
percent of blog readers ever respond with a comment. Keeping in mind
the two percent figure, 18,297 people have viewed this blog since its
inception earlier this year. How many positive comments have you
read? How many similar comments concerning similar problems have you
seen discussed? Do you really believe there is not a problem with
Champion homes and do you really think people would take the time to
make up problems to post on this blog. I have documented my problems
with photographs, you should believe your own eyes.
Earlier this
week I had a conversation with a contractor who does modular home setup
and a modular home salesperson. Both people voiced a similar comment.
The contractor said that when he installs a Champion home he always
expects the copper plumbing to leak and for at least one modular of
each unit to be "banana shaped." That is to say, the middle will bow
out and overhang the foundation anywhere from one inch to four inches
in between the ends, hence banana shaped. Visually, this is difficult
to cover up when using wood or fiber cement siding. Our house stuck
out one and one-half inches in the middle. However, since we were
using stucco, the banana factor was easy to cover. The salesperson
commented that even given the long history of leaking fittings, there
is still not one person capable of soldering a copper fitting in the
Champion Arizona factory.
I have spoken to two separate dealers
in the last three weeks, each has expanded the line of modular homes
they are selling to get away from the problems associated with Champion
Genesis. Additionally, both commented that the problems don't stop
with shoddy work. They said while Champion Genesis acknowledges the
problems, unlike other modular manufacturers who stand behind their
product and pay for repairs, Champion still refuses to pay for
repairs. Perhaps this is because some of the problems are so major
that it requires a licensed contractor and since Champion is not
licensed in most states that means they would have to pay someone else
to do the work and consequently the bottom line would suffer.
Champion
is the largest builder of manufacturered and modular homes in the
United States. Champion has been on top for so long that they
apparently see no need to respond to customer problems. Champion
transitioned from mobile home building to modular building in name
only. As stated before, the GM of the Arizona plant told me that if 13
mobile/manufacturered homes are in line and management slips in one
modular unit, the workers on the line have no idea which one is the
modular unit when it comes by.
If after reading this blog, you
are still interested in buying a Champion product, good luck, you will
need it. Oh, and forget sleeping well, because you will soon be
introduced to the Champion Genesis NIGHTMARE!
8/26/2007 4:22 PMMark wrote:
Mike, I believe I was the contractor you are referring to with the banana home comment. I have been a Silvercrest dealer in the past. They are part of the Champion family. I had a house sent out with wet tape joints and mold directly from the factory. It took a while to get the factory to fix the problem.(about a month after I called the factory to bitch) I also had a sealed house sent out without a p trap in a shower. When I called the factory, they advised me they would review the video tape to see if it was there. We are talking about a 3 dollar part. I have not sold a Silvercrest since then. I am a contractor not somekind of criminal. I am now building Guerdon Homes. They are not perfect, but I do believe they try. We had a house delivered without 4 windows for a cape attic. When I called to report this, i was ready for a fight, since my previous experience was that the "factory" would blame me. I was shocked when they said we occassionally screw up and that I would have my windows in 3 days. I did receive them that quick. Just wanted to let you know that there are some reputable builders out there.
Thanks for the forum,
Mark Creason
PS. Feel free to publish my website or email address in case any of your readers have any set questions. Reply to this
8/26/2007 4:38 PM
Mike wrote:
Yes Mark, you are correct. After talking with you and watching your crew work on a Guerdon modular home install, I have absolutely no problem posting you website and email addresses for the readers of this blog, in fact, I am pleased to do so.
8/29/2007 2:40 PM
R McLaughlin wrote:
I'm sorry to hear that you feel that you have had a negative experience with Silvercrest. Our dealership carries Champion from the Weiser, Idaho plant and can't be more satisfied! Each plant is individually managed and ours is great! He and his staff have been nothing but courtious every time I either call or personally stop by. Many of their employees have been there over 30 years and take great pride in their product. Our clients are very satisfied with their homes whether manufactured or modular. Unfortunately I am concerned for you. In the past I have been affiliated with the Guerdon product. It was great for many years until their greed overcame them. Ethics went out the window and when they could get away with shortchanging a home when they thought nobody was watching they would. Talk about "NO" service. They flat refused to service the homes and we as a dealer had to absorb ALL of this in their behalf. What were we going to do, leave our innocent client's in distress? Absolutely NOT! I personally witnessed them recruiting franchise dealers where many people invested their last dime and then weeks later they filed BK. The funny thing was that the power's that be pulled out all of their stock ahead of time and left the dealers etc. in the cold. BEWARE They will wine and dine you and then toss you aside! Reply to this
