COMPLAINT ACTIVITY REPORT  Case # 22051697           Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon & Western Washington

 

Consumer Info:   Scott, Ken                                                                           Business Info: Alpine Custom Buildings LLC

                                15721 48th Ave E                                                                                       11310 8th Ave NE

                                Tacoma, WA  98446                                                                                   Seattle, WA  98125

                                 2535315266                                                                                               206 362-5025

 

 

Consumer's Original Complaint :

I signed contract on 2-28-05, to have a building built. I gave them $8,522.67 down to go forward with permits. As of 9-1-05, I still have nothing. He is vary hard to get ahold of and always has some excuse. This company has numerous summons/complaints filed through Labor and Industries. His license has been revoked since I signed my contract. I believe he has no intention of completing the job, or giving me back my money.  

 

Consumer's Desired Resolution:

I would like my down payment money back, with interest.

 

BBB Processing

08/31/2005              web         BBB         Complaint Received by BBB

09/01/2005              ALH         BBB         Complaint Validated by BBB Operator

09/01/2005              Otto         EMAIL      Send acknowledgement to Consumer

09/01/2005              Otto         MAIL        Inform Business of the Complaint

09/17/2005              WEB        BBB         RECEIVE BUSINESS RESPONSE : Alpine did receive down payment of $8,522.67;  however, the down payment went toward design, building plans, blue prints and engineering, inside production and special order materials for the project besides the permit administration costs incurred. Mr. Scott has received the engineered building drawings and Alpine has visited Mr. Scott's site on several occasions to assist Mr. Scott with the proper location of the new building. Mr. Scott has always been contacted and responded to.

Alpine went through a receivership and was auctioned off having all assets, sold as of 4-29-05. Alpine's license is no longer valid and the registered contractor that acquired Alpine's assets assumed the project and is actively acting to proceed forward and has every intention on completing this project.

Prior to receiving this complaint, Mr. Scott became impatient about getting started with his building project and asked about starting with out a permit; then he demanded his money back, besides $1,000 of the original deposit. This was only conditioned if Alpine found early on that his building permit was not obtainable. Alpine investigated this early on and a building permit for this building is obtainable and will only take longer than Mr. Scott has wished before it is issued. Since finding out that obtaining a permit for Mr. Scott is indeed obtainable, Alpine and the new owner/contracting entity has expended thousands of dollars with completing building engineering, all inside production including material ordering and purchases, permit administrations and consultant time by others for the new company.

The new company is not willing to refund Mr. Scott his down payment due to permit availability, non-breech of contract, expenses to date and not to mention that Alpine has filed and completed it's receivership and is no longer in business; however, its new owners stand ready and willing to finish the permitting process and build the building project Mr. Scott had originally ordered and wished for.

09/19/2005              ALH         EMAIL      Forward Business response to Consumer

09/20/2005              WEB        BBB         RECEIVED CONSUMER REBUTTAL : (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)

Alpine said the money went to special order materials? I would like to know what that is. They also claim I have received the engineered building drawings, but I have not. I have called Matt Jenssen's cell number several times, most recently on 9-16-05, and 9-19-05; no answer.

After receiving my BBB complaint and several calls and missed appointments, Matt Came out to my house on 9-9-05, and we discussed the contract and the BBB complain. He kept insisting that he did not say the permit was not obtainable, just that it was not obtained yet. He wanted to build the building without a permit. They claim I was the one who wanted to build without a permit.

At this time, we agreed that he would refund my money less the $1,000 and what ever cost that have occurred so far on the permit process/administration fees. He told me he would deliver a cashiers check to me on 9-16-05. He also said "I will treat you right;" this did not happen. Matt has not followed through on anything he has told me.

The reason for the phone calls on 9-16-05 and 9-19-05 was to the find out why. Again no return of phone calls. I have found out the permit process in Pierce county for private party building are averaging 6 weeks. Why have they not got it in 6 months? According to their response, they say they have ordered materials. Why, without a permit? I have not seen any material or permit.

This response is full of non-truths. If they were a reputable company, why receivership. This company has done this before. If Matt Jensen is part of the new ownership, I am sure it will be a re-run of unhappy customers. I will be contacting the Attorney General as to their business practices.

At the time I signed the contract, they were bonded and licenced. I can not afford to give this company any more money, as they cannot be trusted. They have not done what they said they would do, and I consider that a breach of contract.  

09/21/2005              ALH         MAIL        Forward Consumer Rebuttal to Business