About 4 years ago, I called Hallmark for an estimate on an addition. The "nice" lady on the phone asked me for name, address, phone#, and (strangely) my wife's name too. I gave the info and a week later, met with a very confident and smug saleman. I thought his numbers were way out of my league, so I knew Hallmark was out. I thought that was it. About 2 weeks after, I applied for a home equity loan and saw on the credit report 2 credit inquiries by "Colonial Finance". I knew this was strange so I found out that Colonial Finance was in the same offices as Hallmark. I also found that they ran our credit shortly after our initial phone call - without social security #s. I decided to confront them about this and I caught Al Portnoy flat-footed when I asked for an explanation as to why he runs his business like a schister. As it turned out, Colonial Finance was Al's company run from the very same office. He apologized for the "glitch", said it was a mistake by his associates, and offered me a low-rate on finance if I still wanted their business. Can you believe the balls on this guy!!? A few days later, one of Al's cronies called me and pushed me real hard to reconsider - he was the most outrageous idiot I ever dealt with and wouldn't take no for an answer - even when laden with expletives! Long story short - this company should be shut down and its people put in jail.
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