Tri-Steel Structures
Took my money but not my calls. I'm a senior left without my dream home and the down payment

In June I gave Tri-Steel, at that time located at 5400 S Stemmons, Denton, TX, a $6500.00 check as a down payment on a steel frame home. At their request the check was made out to John Standley, Regional Area Dealer, in order to get a better price. I did not plan on building until 2009 but was told this was a good thing to do to keep the price of the steel down.

In October I finally recieved a copy of the plans which were just standard plans for a standard built Tri-Steel home - nothing special.

In the spring of 2007 I noticed the steel frames had been removed from the office on Stemmons and there was a for sale sign out front. I called Tri-Steel
and was given the new address of 703 Main St, Lake Dallas, TX and was assured the company was still in business.

In December I started calling to make plans for the building that would start the first part of 2009. Each time I called the local or 800 number I got a recording that said "not able to receive your call". After the holidays I started calling again with the same results so I drove out to their new office on a Saturday. No one was there, there was office furniture inside but there was also a for sale sign outside. I called the realtor and confirmed that the property was indeed for sale.

I contacted the DFW BBB and found 9 "unsatisfactory" records. I filed my own formal complaint with them.

I emailed Tri-Steel at the address listed on their web page - no response.

I went back to the office mid-day on Wednesday, 01-09-08 and caught Jon Reynolds there. After telling him I wanted to start putting my plans in motion the following happened:

1. He couldn't find my file and only after me answering many questions did he find it.
2. According to him I was going to have my steel delivered in December when in fact I was going to start building the first part of 2009.
3. According to his files, I had put a little over $3000.00 down when in fact I wrote a check for $6500.00.

With what I had already heard and what he was saying I became very uncomfortable that this was not the business to deal with and decided to back out of the deal. I was not willing to wait until it was time to have the steel delivered to find out it wouldn't happen. I asked for my $6500 deposit to be returned. I was told it was not a down payment and not refundable. I was also told by him his phones were not working because he felt the phone company was charging him unfairly and he didn't pay them.

After considerable arguing he agreed to give me the full $6500 back "next month"... Not because I deserved it but as "good publicity". I was then ushered out of his office.

After thinking about it I began to doubt that not only would he not follow through and send me the money that I had my doubts that he'd even be in business by next year. So I emailed him and asked to meet to get my money next week. No response to that email or the one that I followed up with the next day.

The cold hard facts are that I am almost 65 and about to retire on a fixed income. I planned very carefully so I could build my one and only dream home and losing $6500 puts a big stopping block in my way. I know there are people out there that have lost a lost more than this to Tri-Steel and my guess is there are more that will become the victimes of Tri-Steel but just haven't figured out what is happening yet. Is there nothing that can be done?

Company: Tri-Steel Structures
Country: USA
State: Texas
City: Denton
Address: 703 Main St Or 5400 S Stemmons
Phone: 8008747833

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