Elizabeth "Liz" Berning Welcome Wagon - Scam

[NewGal]

Hi everyone!

I just saw a post I could identify with and my internet went down so I decided to post my experience to try and save everyone from the same annoying rigamarole I just went through. Unfortunately due to my lack of internet skills and my rebellion against technology, I am just going to have to start a new thread.

So First: I'm a newbie and fell into the trap of "The Welcome Wagon" I got a basket of fruit that came stacked with some hoopla about this, that, and the other. Mostly a bunch of appointments I needed to make to buy things. Who is this woman and how can she claim she represents The Villages? not only that but how did she know I just moved in?? She was prepared for me and had some information about my husband and I that made this look like somewhat official Villages protocol. Does anyone have any information about this woman?

Second: Next thing I know "General Electric" is coming to my house to tell me my water is horrible and I need to pay $8000.00 or get cancer and kidney stones and other bacteria that could send me to the doctor mighty swiftly. I didn't buy that for a second! I couldn't see General Electric having the budget for a lawsuit of that magnitude to come in my new home and tell me I would get sick from the water. I haven't even been here 30 days and already I have to put up with this nonsense.

I have a couple of phone calls into the General Electric legal department and I am awaiting their response. The company is not General Electric from what General Electric has informed me of so far. Hopefully I can enlighten them on this little charade and get this Tas TAS T A S whatever that stands for Environmental a nice fat seize and desist letter on their door.

Lastly: I hope we can talk about this a little, maybe compare stories and get this company to stop trying to take us for fools. I may be older, but with age comes wisdom, this whole preconceived idea that people think they can get one over on us because we are older makes me a little testy.

[jojo]

Good for you for taking action. I found it most annoying also and quickly figured out there was no welcome wagon.

[NewGal]

Thanks Jojo appreciate the encouragment!

I learned this little tidbit too

Elizabeth Berning is the owner of this little Welcome Wagon scam...
or Liz Berning

THE-VILLAGES, Florida (FL) Political Contributions by Individuals - Donations to Congress, local, or national races, Republican or Democrat and other candidates (http://www.city-data.com/elec2/08/elec-THE-VILLAGES-FL-08.html)

turns out her husband Michael Berning is the Sales Manager here??
Careers in The Villages (http://www.careersinthevillages.com/)

could this be how she is getting peoples information when they move in? A little bit of a conflict of interest?? I am on hold with The Villages corporate right now! Sat on hold for quite some time - anyone have a number I can call to inquire about this?

[logdog]

We had a visit from the Welcome Lady 4 years ago right after moving in. She wasn't pushy and came with several useful gifts including a nice coffee mug, discount coupons and a free Villages golf cart annual service. No hard sell and saved us about $100.

Water guys were a hard sell and we got rid of them pretty quickly. I think they did give us a $20 gift card.

Bottom line - if you don't want these folks in your home, don't let them in.

[2BNTV]

I was blessed when I moved here, to not have phone service, and quickly put my phone, on the "do not call" registry list when I did get one.

I didn't answer the door either unless, I had contacted someone, for an appointment.

I refused to give the sales office my cell phone number, so I would have to contact them, if I needed anything.

I got many calls from water testing people and they hung up, when my answering machine picked-up. One guy got thru, but I shot him down quickly, as he started arguing with me.

"CLICK" was my response.

Good luck, in trying to straighten out, these hunchback people. :D

[Bogie Shooter]

Hi everyone!

I just saw a post I could identify with and my internet went down so I decided to post my experience to try and save everyone from the same annoying rigamarole I just went through. Unfortunately due to my lack of internet skills and my rebellion against technology, I am just going to have to start a new thread.

So First: I'm a newbie and fell into the trap of "The Welcome Wagon" I got a basket of fruit that came stacked with some hoopla about this, that, and the other. Mostly a bunch of appointments I needed to make to buy things. Who is this woman and how can she claim she represents The Villages? not only that but how did she know I just moved in?? She was prepared for me and had some information about my husband and I that made this look like somewhat official Villages protocol. Does anyone have any information about this woman?

Second: Next thing I know "General Electric" is coming to my house to tell me my water is horrible and I need to pay $8000.00 or get cancer and kidney stones and other bacteria that could send me to the doctor mighty swiftly. I didn't buy that for a second! I couldn't see General Electric having the budget for a lawsuit of that magnitude to come in my new home and tell me I would get sick from the water. I haven't even been here 30 days and already I have to put up with this nonsense.

I have a couple of phone calls into the General Electric legal department and I am awaiting their response. The company is not General Electric from what General Electric has informed me of so far. Hopefully I can enlighten them on this little charade and get this Tas TAS T A S whatever that stands for Environmental a nice fat seize and desist letter on their door.

Lastly: I hope we can talk about this a little, maybe compare stories and get this company to stop trying to take us for fools. I may be older, but with age comes wisdom, this whole preconceived idea that people think they can get one over on us because we are older makes me a little testy.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/ge-water-softener-43620/

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/village-welcome-explain-water-55778/

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/whats-all-solicitation-phone-calls-42516/

[NewGal]

Wow - this is a lot of posts on the same subject and thanks so much for the links. So to summarize - How is the woman who owns the Wecome Wagon, Liz Berning married to the Sales Manager at the Villages - the Bernings have some explaining to do. So how does this work - is our information given out when we move in? Also TAS Environmental is NOT General Electric - why are they allowed to wear General Electric uniforms and say they are employed by GE... this is preposterous! As I said previously I have a call into GE's legal department and they said they are going to have an investigator call me back within 48 hours. How do we get to the bottom of the Welcome Wagon lady? I have a bad taste in my mouth and it isn't from the water.

Adding: logdog - I'm glad your experience wasn't offensive to you and you actually ended up saving you some money. I didn't enjoy my experience it made me feel apprehensive about the things coming from the Villages and I don't want to start my experience based on a bitterness. All I would like at this point is the truth, maybe it can't be stopped and maybe the Villages is allowing for it to transpire but I still would like the truth either way.

[loveinthesun]

hmm

[Bogie Shooter]

You may want to call these folks and ask.

Sumter County Office
Seniors Vs Crime Project
Sumter County Sheriff’s Annex
8035 East CR 466-Suite C
The Villages, FL 32162

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Hours: 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Phone (352) 689-4600 Ext. 4606

Fax: (352) 689-4601

[Indydealmaker]

Wow - this is a lot of posts on the same subject and thanks so much for the links. So to summarize - How is the woman who owns the Wecome Wagon, Liz Berning married to the Sales Manager at the Villages - the Bernings have some explaining to do. So how does this work - is our information given out when we move in? Also TAS Environmental is NOT General Electric - why are they allowed to wear General Electric uniforms and say they are employed by GE... this is preposterous! As I said previously I have a call into GE's legal department and they said they are going to have an investigator call me back within 48 hours. How do we get to the bottom of the Welcome Wagon lady? I have a bad taste in my mouth and it isn't from the water.

Adding: logdog - I'm glad your experience wasn't offensive to you and you actually ended up saving you some money. I didn't enjoy my experience it made me feel apprehensive about the things coming from the Villages and I don't want to start my experience based on a bitterness. All I would like at this point is the truth, maybe it can't be stopped and maybe the Villages is allowing for it to transpire but I still would like the truth either way.

It is a common practice for welcome wagon to get their leads on new residents from realtors. Other vendors routinely get their leads from public filings which they can access online.

P.S. Don't worry about your water. Most people do not have a problem with our water at all. Many of us either buy bottled water or drink filtered water from the fridge.

[villagerjack]

The best way to handle these people is to ignore them. Don't waste your time that can be spent on your personal matters. Tracking down these peopke will nit add to your quality of life.

[NewGal]

Thanks for the seniors vs crime information - I saw that on another post, that's great and I will follow up with that.

Indydealmaker - I agree 100% that lots of Marketing companies get their listings from realtors but seems very close to home to be getting leads like this, no? I fail to see how the villages would approve of this practice

[onslowe]

Very wise words from Village Jack above.

[NewGal]

I agree with you but sometimes if we sit silent than we allow for a precedent to be set without meaning to. I know most of us like to protect our community, albeit a new one or one we have lived in for many years. I know that in the current state of things it seems as though our voices don't get heard, but I refuse to sit silent where I could be proactive. I know that may seemingly make me come across as petty, but it isn't that. This type of link and this ability to vocalize makes the gaps close a little bit and lets us set a standard for what we will and will not tolerate. Much love to you all.

[philnpat]

Very interesting, NewGal. Keep us posted!

[Parker]

NewGal, you go girl! The whole thing sounds sleazy to me, and if they haven't crossed the line, they are certainly skirting it. I like your tenacity. I wouldn't want to be on your bad side.

[NewGal]

Parker :) no bad side here, just a tiny bit of a justice complex maybe :P and philnpat I will gladly keep you informed on what I come up with. I hope more people will speak up and maybe we can get The Villages to stop this. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this community thanks so much for the support everyone!

[missypie]

I thanked her for the basket full of "goodies" and she said "oh, NOT the basket itself".

[Bogie Shooter]

I agree with you but sometimes if we sit silent than we allow for a precedent to be set without meaning to. I know most of us like to protect our community, albeit a new one or one we have lived in for many years. I know that in the current state of things it seems as though our voices don't get heard, but I refuse to sit silent where I could be proactive. I know that may seemingly make me come across as petty, but it isn't that. This type of link and this ability to vocalize makes the gaps close a little bit and lets us set a standard for what we will and will not tolerate. Much love to you all.

Did you notice the dates of the threads I posted? This Welcome Wagon thing did not just start last week.

[travlin50]

That is exactly what she said to us, Oh sorry, you don't get to keep the basket. (which was the best part!) I think she catches folks off guard, you are trying to move into your new home and the doorbell rings, you just answer it and she says in a perky voice - "Hi, I am the Welcome Wagon and I want to welcome you to your new home". We got lots of coupons and some little gifts such as a tape measure with advertisements, but I never received any calls from any of the businesses she was promoting. Then she did ask for our email address, but told us it was optional. We figured out pretty quick that she was not a real "Welcome Wagon" person, rather than a paid person to hand out business trinkets and coupons.

[NewGal]

Did you notice the dates of the threads I posted? This Welcome Wagon thing did not just start last week.

I didn't even notice the dates, my apologies :( but I saw something being said about YEARS ago - how disheartening.

[graciegirl]

Here is a listing of businesses connected to the "real" Welcome Wagon in the zip code 32162, but no mention of the name of the Welcome Wagon person.


Welcome Wagon - About Us (http://www.welcomewagon.com/directory_new.php?pos=0&distance=30&zip=32162&x=60&y=23)

[loveinthesun]

Yes the real Welcome Wagon sends out a book in the mail or you can look online to see who is a member.

[outahere]

We were "visited" by both the Welcome Wagon lady and the people trying to sell us a water system. In both instances, I just said "I'm not interested" and closed the door.

If the "Welcome Wagon" lady is married to someone who works for TV and is getting information about new sales from him, that is probably not illegal, but is certainly unethical. If her husband is a licensed real estate agent/broker and is a member of the National Association of Realtors, he is probably violating their ethics standards and should be reported.

[kstew43]

the sales agents in the villages are not REALTORS.

To be a Realtor you must be a member of a Board of Realtors and pay a yearly membership fee to either sumter, marion, or lake county boards. This enables them to sell from the MLS (mutiple listing service).

The villages created there own MLS and called it the VLS, they have there own rules with contracts and the such and don't use the standard paperwork and contracts set up by the Board of Realtors. This way they can control the commissions of there salesman and keep all the money inhouse. Done by new builders to control the money and keep outside realtors from getting commissions from bringing in buyers.

They do have a florida license to sell realestate and must follow the florida state rules.

[graciegirl]

the sales agents in the villages are not realtors.

To be a realtor you must be a member of a board of realtors and pay a yearly membership fee to either sumter, marion, or lake county boards. This enables them to sell from the mls (mutiple listing service).

The villages created there own mls and called it the vls, they have there own rules with contracts and the such and don't use the standard paperwork and contracts set up by the board of realtors. This way they can control the commissions of there salesman and keep all the money inhouse. Done by new builders to control the money and keep outside realtors from getting commissions from bringing in buyers.

They do have a florida license to sell realestate and must follow the florida state rules.


and. There's nothing wrong with that. Obviously "they" are selling way more real estate than REALTORS here in TV.

[NewGal]

I am only suggesting that TV is not aware that there is someone inhouse pumping information to Elizabeth Berning and her little scam. It's most likely Mike Berning considering she arrives moments after you move in. I don't think TV would be bothering with the couple of pennies they would obtain from these little mom and pop smoke shows like TAS Environmental. I mean she is hand delivering these "baskets". My assumption is that they aren't informed that this is transpiring and that someone working in their offices is double dipping. I can't be sure of this but I'd like to create an awareness either way.

[mixsonci]

I am only suggesting that TV is not aware that there is someone inhouse pumping information to Elizabeth Berning and her little scam. It's most likely Mike Berning considering she arrives moments after you move in. I don't think TV would be bothering with the couple of pennies they would obtain from these little mom and pop smoke shows like TAS Environmental. I mean she is hand delivering these "baskets". My assumption is that they aren't informed that this is transpiring and that someone working in their offices is double dipping. I can't be sure of this but I'd like to create an awareness either way.

I would also like to be informed of what you find out. As a single woman I will be moving to TV early next year and don't want these people hard-selling me things I don't really know anything about and would just worry about what I do or don't really need. It's so confusing trying to get settled in without them adding to it.

[NewGal]

I would also like to be informed of what you find out. As a single woman I will be moving to TV early next year and don't want these people hard-selling me things I don't really know anything about and would just worry about what I do or don't really need. It's so confusing trying to get settled in without them adding to it.

I will gladly keep you informed, I am hoping we can create an awareness to avoid this from happening. It's just very unfortunate that some have been saying it's been going on for years. I am still waiting to hear back from TV about the affiliation, I guess if nothing else I might open their eyes to it. Good luck on your move!

[OBXNana]

I am not in The Villages yet, but our Welcome Wagon folks get their information on what property has sold, from Realtors. In The Villages they have a different titles, but the bottom line is they all sell real estate. If the individual coming is representing Welcome Wagon, is there any difference between getting the sold property info from her husband or simply another sales person?

If Ms. Berning is saying she is from Welcome Wagon and is not, that would be a scam. It would be inappropriate for her husband to disclose personal information concerning new residents in The Villages under those circumstances.

[NewGal]

I am not in The Villages yet, but our Welcome Wagon folks get their information on what property has sold, from Realtors. In The Villages they have a different titles, but the bottom line is they all sell real estate. If the individual coming is representing Welcome Wagon, is there any difference between getting the sold property info from her husband or simply another sales person?

If Ms. Berning is saying she is from Welcome Wagon and is not, that would be a scam. It would be inappropriate for her husband to disclose personal information concerning new residents in The Villages under those circumstances.

I am not sure, I guess to me it just seems a little unfair if you think that your information is being passed down from someone who actually works at The Villages. I am not qualified to say whether or not it's a legal issue or just in poor taste. It's only my personal opinion. As far as the Welcome Wagon is concerned, it's just another marketing ploy. Even if she is using the name "Welcome Wagon" it seems as though it's supposed to come off more as a part of an official Welcome Committee.

[Bogie Shooter]

Whole lot of speculation going here.

[loveinthesun]

Some speculation i agree, yet the few facts are... She says she's the welcome wagon and she's not and she says she works for the villages and she does not..

[Steph]

I want to add an update to this thread - I just moved into the new section south of 466A and guess who showed up? The Welcome Wagon lady but this time representing herself as being from Talk of the Villages. Her materials had the TOTV logo and so forth. I love TOTV so I gave her my name and phone number. Within a few minutes of her leaving, the calls started. Then, I got a personal visit from the Pegasus water lady. What was coincidental about that was the cable company tech was here setting up my service and he had been talking up Pegasus. He finished but hadn't left, was stalling, and then lo and behold, what a coincidence, she showed up. Not being the shy, retiring type, I sent her packing and slapped a No Solicitation sign on my screen door. Was it coincidental that the cable company tech was talking up Pegasus and she arrived shortly thereafter? Day before yesterday my new neighbor got the Welcome Lady, fell for it, and shortly thereafter was the proud owner of a $5,000 water filter system. The TAS outfit with the sales guy representing himself as working for GE. A GE logo on some cheap shirt does not make you a GE employee. She asked for my help to get herself out of the situation. She wouldn't let them in to do the install and they were sitting in front of her house waiting for the sales guy to make a reappearance and reclose the sale. He and I had words - he thought I was quite rude. But he left, the installation tech left and she was left to write her rescind letter to get out of the contract. These people are crooks. They prey on the unassuming, uninformed and I think it's criminal. I would like to hear if one of the earlier posters had any luck getting thru to GE or someone at TV to see what they had to say. I'm still mad. Nothing like a good fight, but really necessary?

[Cathy H]

wow! the troubling things that go on in paradise below. is this place really such a happyland?