[CarGuys]

Sent you a PM

Reality set in this AM. It still hurts.

Maybe the teacher in me, 35 years of working hard to treat all my kids the same and no favors.

Yes business hurts Guess Ruth and I just got welcomed to the club.

It's another day have a good morning-

[collie1228]

This seems to be the classic problem with offering discounts. Someone will always feel they were hosed. I'm certain I would feel the same way if it happened to me. But on the other hand, the developer is obviously forecasting a near-term construction slowdown and needs to maintain a level of backlog to keep this machine healthy and moving forward. How else could they do it? Even if they gave a discount retroactively to those who already started building three months ago, the people who started building four months ago would feel abused. It's a no-win situation for the developer. Let's face it, timing is everything and occasionally we all have unfortunate timing. But it's understandable that people are not happy about it.

[Jim Straz]

Originally Posted by collie1228

This seems to be the classic problem with offering discounts. Someone will always feel they were hosed. I'm certain I would feel the same way if it happened to me. But on the other hand, the developer is obviously forecasting a near-term construction slowdown and needs to maintain a level of backlog to keep this machine healthy and moving forward. How else could they do it? Even if they gave a discount retroactively to those who already started building three months ago, the people who started building four months ago would feel abused. It's a no-win situation for the developer. Let's face it, timing is everything and occasionally we all have unfortunate timing. But it's understandable that people are not happy about it.

Your words ring true and are well said. I thank the Lord first that I was able to take advantage of the 3.5% discount, but this timing of their discounts could use some work as far as Public Relations goes.

I've been impressed with every step of the process they have provided until now with the new discount being higher than the previous. I'm going to swallow the loss of the .5%, but more importantly how do others make plans based on TV's business practices of this kind. People have been suckered into building earlier than they wanted and now have to carry two homes for a longer period when they could have waited, got a discount, and had the timing they desired.

Some are happy, and some are sad over this. I just think the word of mouth praise I had for The Villages reputation has been tarnished a great deal. In my heart their 'force' has been weakened considerably. How can you trust them with an answer as to "will there be another discount in the future" because I'm trying to have a plan with my life and this move. What could I tell a potential new comer about timing?

It is what it is, and again I'm Blessed with the 3.5%, but it could be fixed with a little Human Relations work. I'm still happy I'm going to be a Villager, and a "Grover", but they have awakened me from my dream of them quite a bit. Have a good day!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by collie1228

This seems to be the classic problem with offering discounts. Someone will always feel they were hosed. I'm certain I would feel the same way if it happened to me. But on the other hand, the developer is obviously forecasting a near-term construction slowdown and needs to maintain a level of backlog to keep this machine healthy and moving forward. How else could they do it? Even if they gave a discount retroactively to those who already started building three months ago, the people who started building four months ago would feel abused. It's a no-win situation for the developer. Let's face it, timing is everything and occasionally we all have unfortunate timing. But it's understandable that people are not happy about it.

I am used to how business is run. Discounts are offered for a reason and it is not for the good of all. It is to move merchandise. If you can be flexible and buy when it is offered you are good.

If we had sold our house up north five years ago, we would have had a lot more money. It is what it is.

That sounds really cold but I am pretty sure that in the end you will be happy here. I think of the people who paid so much more for their homes here five or six years ago when the market was really UP everywhere.

I am sending hugs right now...even though you won't feel much like getting one.

[swimdawg]

My own personal experience.....I was offered the 4% discount in March. My sales rep said they had 200 of the 4% discount certificates. It was very tempting but I procrastinated for a couple days. The hotel was booked and I would have to stay outside TV....who would take the dawg?.....airline tickets were hard to come by. So by the time I decided to take advantage of the deal, all the 4% discount certificates were gone. Gone!

In June, I was notified that prices were going up....in the 4% range. This time I didn't waste any time.

I am a firm believer that everything turns out for the best.

It is what it is......and it was what it was......and it will be what it will be....because I am flying of of Buffalo tomorrow and will sleep in my beautiful completed home in St. James tomorrow nite!

[Larry Wilson]

We bought when they said built out was near and if we didn't buy then, we wouldn't get in.
Our home would go up, up, up, in valve.
The horse farm was not part of the housing plans and would never have homes on it.
We were the last premier Village to be built.
That is just a few of the falsehoods we were told by our sales agent.

A successful developer doesn't NEED to give false info.

[Zoomie1955]

Originally Posted by GTTPF

Hi Pturner, nice to hear from you. They did the same thing to us. We picked out our lot in late July. They told us that if we got an appointment with the design center and signed before the end of September that we would get a 4% discount. They also told us that there would be no more discounts. We really planned on selling our home in NJ first. We made the decision to build and hope to sell. We are still happy with making the move and getting the 4% discount. Then Oct 1st they offered 3.5% then Nov 1st 4%. I fell it is deceiving and poor business practice. They don't need to do that, the lifestyle sells itself. I don't have a problem with them offering discounts to build but don't lie to people and say there won't be any more. That's 4 of us that I know for a fact were told the same thing. We are busy packing 31 days until we leave for TV

The deal they offered Oct. 1 for the 3.5%, what was it for?

[Jim Straz]

3.5% discount for a new home build North of 466A ended October 31

[CarGuys]

[A successful developer doesn't NEED to give false info.[/QUOTE]

This is true,

I recieved a return call from management sales. They were very polite and did not spin what has happened! For that I admire TV sales department.

I will say from what I have found out or been told. If we can believe it. The sales force nor their immediate management did not know about this.

These poor people probably feel like they have been thrown under the bus!

I truely believe that someone with good intentions made a huge PR mistake. And that will effect all in the Villages in one way or the other.

This could snowball on TV. Toyota steps up to the plate and admits their mistakes and pays to stop bad PR or customer dis satification.

GM and Chrysler failed to do this. Ford is on a roll.

Yes TV it is a well oiled machine. A business will grow and prosper by word of mouth. It also can loose customer support and die by customer satisifaction.