Question about Villages Sales Reps
 

Is this behavior common for the Sales Reps? I won't name the Rep

My wife and I visited on a lifestyle visit a while ago and prior to coming down I made it very clear (at least I thought I did) that we were not in a position to purchase yet. We wanted to look at the models, sample the lifestyle, answer some questions (villa vs SF, golf view, etc).

We accomplished most of that in the first two days, deciding we want a SF (can't live in a Villa), the Golf view was more important than a large lot for a pool, etc). When we arrived the first thing the rep did was ask "Still on the same time table (late this year, mid next). We replied unfortunately yes.

The rep (with whom we've been talking since 2006) is a very nice person, only this one seems to want to apply a lot of pressure to buy now. We viewed the models on Monday and I asked if we could see some available lots so I could get a feel for the golf view vs large lot not golf view etc. The rep seems to have misinterpreted this to mean we wanted to pick a lot - now. In truth, when we found out about the possibility of the up to one year delay in starting we were tempted and had a long, stressful discussion about it until 2am the night before we went to look at the lots - ultimately deciding that we still had to wait to make the commitment on our original schedule. But we NEVER indicated to the Rep a readiness to buy now.

Anyway, the rep had printed plots and placed the plan we liked with a pool/spa on them. The rep did a lot of work and I didn't expect that but appreciated it. After looking at the lots, which were very nice (we're so sad we couldn't buy now, but we can't). when I told the Rep we would buy now if we could, but just can't the Rep got really upset. Visibly angry when we were dropped off at the Sales Office the Rep left us muttering, in a less than friendly tone, "Come back when you're ready to buy." Not very pleasant parting. Since then the Rep has pretty much blown us off. The last day of our visit we wanted to take one last look at the model we settled on and take some measurements for planning purposes. We asked at the Sales Office in the morning if someone could just run us out there. When they offered to call our Rep we said not to bother them, couldn't someone just run us out there for 15 min. I assume the manager came out and told us they didn't have anyone available, but our Rep was free after 1pm the rest of the day. We reluctantly agreed to wait. The Rep calls us at 1:30 and said they are busy and couldn't get away until 5:30 (they knew we had to leave at 3:30 to catch our flight). Which I found a trifle odd given the manager's comments. I used to be a new home sales rep so I understand the desire of the rep not to miss new traffic, but I still think they could have spent 15 minutes with us.

My wife and I are no longer comfortable dealing with this rep.

Does anyone know 1) if they will switch reps for us and, 2) do you think this is fair of us to do (I understand they are on commission)?

I'd say this is not common behavior, but something similar enough happened to us too. There are other threads on this board on this topic.

We felt our rep was pushy, I asked for (and received) references on this board, phoned TV, and asked for the rep who sounded appealing to us (Debra Park).
She was great. She did ask why we were displeased with the former rep (we told her) and it was not a problem to change reps at all.

Best wishes.

Thanks!

Think we just got lucky.
 

Sorry to hear of your bad experience.
We were down in March and had a great rep. She was with us no matter what! She went out of her way many times. We had a simular situation with a last minute request...our rep did everything but drive us to the airport. We did end up buying a beautiful home. However, when we left TV we hadn't yet decided and were still thinking it over. Upon saying good bye to us there was never any signs of anger or what ever. We did call her a few days later and she got our sale. She even helped us through the complete closing process and went out of her way to make sure we were happy.
If you would like her name...drop me a line camp12345bell@sbcglobal.net and I will give it to you.
Good Luck,
Bob

Get a new agent
 

We have been on 3 lifestyle visits. On the first visit we had an agent that was not very friendly. On the second visit we had spoken to a couple who recommended the agent they used. We requested him there were no questions asked and he could not have been more helpful. On our third visit we did purchase a lot which we plan to build on as soon as our home in Maryland sells. There has never been any pressure at all from this agent. We had friends do a lifestyle visit and recommended they speak to the agent we used. Their experience was the same no pressure. They loved the lifestyle in TV but are going to be snow birds, their visit was when the weather was very cold so they will look for something further south. If you are interested in our agent send me a private message and I'll give you his name.

Doesn't sound typical in general and definitely not how our rep treated us. I'm curious though you said you thought the manager came out to talk to you, why on earth didn't you tell him about your experience with your rep then??

It didn't occur to me to complain at that point. I guess I'm a pretty easy going type and, having been a new home rep (never having behaved that way towards ANY prospect) I do have some empathy for the commission of the Rep. The Reps behavior after that is what pushed me over the top I guess. Takes a lot for me to get upset enough to take action.

I think you should of let the "Manager" know of this deal. There are alot of Reps, and the ones I know of are very professional. I have sent alot of people to see Tarrant Potter. I hope he is not the one you talk of. That would suprise me, well let me put it a different way. I would hope not......

Money Out

rep
 

please do not let any one pressure you, you will come to regrete latter, and ask for a different rep. this one sounds very unprofessional. As the buyer, stay in the drivers seat. Don't let an eager salesperson short change you.
!!!

Great rep!
 

Our rep was Chris Hallmark and we were very happy with him.

A friend of mine is a TV sales rep -- Rhodd Soutar. When I first met him, he told me of a couple he had been working with for three years. They'd come down, look, but be afraid to buy at that time. They were finally ready their last visit. He didn't seem in the least perturbed to have waited so long to get their purchase. In fact, it was the exact opposite -- he was happy they'd waited until they were comfortable and was glad he could help them any way he could until that point. I do know I've sent a few people his way and not one of them have regretted working with him.

It sounds like you had a sales rep who really was banking on your purchase. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I think the majority of sales reps here are willing to wait until you're ready.

Justin Wilson.... awesome, very patient and informative.

Our Rep was Penny Chamberlain her partner is Chris Hallmark,what a team just great never no pressure.Always ready to answer questions and show us anything we wanted. We went from preowned to lots and new homes. Its your time so make it happy time when your in TV. Mary

Just curious, what is the TV sales rep's percentage on a sale? Does it differ from new to preowned homes?

NOT our experience at all.

We were in a a similar situation - thought for not as long. Our decision was to do nothing until we sold our house. Our reps were the team of Jackie Murphy and Bob Knorr - highly recommend them.

Don't worry about that, it is unlikely that anyone can pressure two former Marines into anything they don't want to do.:beer3:

Can not in any way relate to your experience.
Met Kathy Ward in July of last year, showed us around, saw her again in December, no pressure.
Got here in March ready to do something, she found us a house and we close on the 21st.
She was also kind enough to have us to Easter dinner.
Talk about the "Friendliest Hometown".

I am confused about what happened. I don't understand why you would have the rep show you lots to see how houses are placed because you could see that anytime by viewing the available houses. There are all sorts of houses already built on all sorts of lots.

After touring the models and being shown around by the rep we selected houses from the on line presentations and from the ones shown in the paper and went around with a map and looked at them ourselves. We couldn't get in, but we could look in the windows.

I think that seeing available lots would be something that would happen when you were about ready to buy. But It doesn't excuse the reps behavior at all. That seems very unprofessional to me.

We had Jim Mclaughlin and we think he is wonderfully patient and very helpful and informative. We are very happy with the experience and especially with our lovely home. I hope you will be too.

Our Rep
 

Our reps were Penny Chamberlain and Chris Hallmark, I think they are a team.
Our time frame from start to finish was nearly 18 months before we plunked down the cash to buy. Neither Chris or Penny pressured us in any way, and throughout the time they always showed us another model, lot, etc.
I am sure there are other good reps, but these two are the best in our book.

I used to work for a builder (built over 100 homes) and a new home sales rep and I wanted to walk a few of the lots knowing where the lot boundaries were so I could get an idea in my mind for when I returned home. Not sure I can explain. It helps me to visualize the home. I don't think it was an unreasonable request or one that would/should lead the rep to an unwarranted conclusion.

By the way, the Rep we had is not any of the ones named in this thread.

We also had Bob Knorr and Jackie Murphy. They were very patient and helpful. We actually started looking 4 years before we bought. We were looking all over the country. We came back two more times before we made our decision. From conversations with other villagers and what we picked up from our experiences, it seems that 95% of the sales reps are low pressure and extremely friendly. Sorry for your bad experience, but this is a great place. Give it another try when you are ready.

SEMPER FI :boxing2:

If the rep tells you his nickname is "Gunny", I smell an instant sale.:pepper2::beer3::pepper2:

Our Rep
 

We had Ira Miller and he was and still is terrific. He will go above and beyond and still does. We've been here a little over 5 years and he still keeps in touch. He also has an appreciation party every year for all his clients.

Gosh our rep, Nannette Tolleson is SUPER nice. Told her after our 1st visit in Feb we would be buying in June-August timeframe of this year and she is fine with that and has continued to email and phone us info. I HIGHLY recommend her.

Army Guy

rep
 

[QUOTE=73Goat;198908]Is this behavior common for the Sales Reps? I won't name the Rep

We had a wonderful Rep. He spent the day with us in Sept. and we have been in contact ever since. We hope to buy in May when we will spend a month there. He was new to TV last year and he knew we weren't ready to buy last Sept. No pressure.

We had a great sales rep who has become a good friend. No pressure plenty of answers and patience.

I have recommended her to many friends and they are all very complimentary.

Her name is Cathy Peterson and if you work with her I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

If you dont buy it from the Gunny, you might be in the pit the rest of the weekend, hearing, On your back,, On your face,, , On your back,, on your face,, Up down, On your back,, Your to slow Private... Your kidding me, you cant be tired yet, Im not sweating.......................................

:beer3:

Money Out

Sorry you had a bad experience. Our rep was Ron Delk, who was the greatest. No pressure at all, and he spent a lot of time with us. We all "connected" really well. We did purchase last May, and are very happy with our home. As a matter of fact, Ron is a great friend to us and helps us out with any questions we have. Good luck to you. You will love it here!!

Thanks for the responses all.

We ALREADY love it in TV and are absolutely going to buy, sometime between June 09 and June 2010, depending on how our 'readiness for retirement' debt repayment plan progresses. Since we most likely will not have our home in NoVA sold at the time we purchase (can you say underwater on the loan) we would have to qualify for both payments (plus fees etc) and before doing so I would want to have no other debt.

We did not want to go 'home' at the end of our Lifestyle visit. :laugh:

I know most of the representatives are excellent and are not prone to high pressure their customers - not The Villages way! Every representative here genuinely loves the opportunity to show off our community and show guests everything we have to offer. (I did however, have a sales representative when we purchased that was less than helpful and is thankfully no longer with the sales office!) Based on first hand knowledge, I would recommend Alicia Ford and have heard only good things about the others mentioned. I do know that if you have any discomfort with a representative, changing to another is not a problem!

We had a very similar experience on our lifestyle visit. I'd almost bet we had the same sales rep.
If you want to compare notes feel free to send me a PM

Sales Rep
 

Our sles rep was wonderful. We did not buy the first time we visited the villages. But on our second visit and first lifestyle expeience we did. Our sales rep kept in touch with us by e-mail and couldn't have been more helpful. In fact everytime we visit our house we make a point to visit Kay Salerno. She has become a friend. shighsmi

My wife and I are working with Bob Knorr and Jackie Murphy as well. Our first visit was in 2003, met with them again in 2008 hoping to purchase early 2009. Economy put things on hold but Bob has been superb answering phone and email questions with remarkable patience and knowledge.

We recommend Audrey Sullivan, we told her we were not ready yet. She spent hours with us with no pressure and she will be our agent when we are ready. Please tell her Larry & Beverly sent you.:eclipsee_gold_cup:

Sales Reps
 

Bob Knorr and Jackie Murphy have been very good for us and after about three times looking they have helped us find the area and the type of dwelling we will buy.

Yes, we will make sure they are the ones we buy from since they have stuck with us for the last three years.


aj

We made a lifestyle visit in August 2007 and had Tarrant Potter as our rep. He was just fantastic. A credit to The Villages sales team. We hear from him from time to time, just checking to see if how we were, and couldn't be nicer or more patient. I can highly recommend him. When we are ready to buy, Tarrant Potter will be our guy.

Purchase Offer Proof
 

Does anyone know if the Villages sales reps are required by law to show proof the purchase offer was submitted to the buyer and signed off rejected ? In some states an official wriiten response if required back to the buyer within 24 hours of offer.

I'm not sure if this is the answer to your question. But in my experience of buying and selling in NY they have 72 hours. Hope this helps, good luck.