| 417Rentals |
| 417Rentals Chris and Mindy PRICE GOUGERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TORNADO VICTIM BROOKLINE, Missouri |
| 11th of Jul, 2011 by User302127 |
On May 22, 2011, my hometown was massively destroyed by a tornado. As a result, like many others, I lost my home and personal effects. Remembering the fear, confusion, and extreme worry that I,we, felt during the tornado, and then the overwhelming emotions that swept over me afterwards when I saw that everything around me was gone has been hard to process. I was so happy and lucky to know that myself and those dear to me had survived. unfortunately our lives were all that many of us made it through the disaster with. It was too depressing to stay in Joplin. I am on disability, fixed income, and my doctor is located in Springfield, MO and I'd lived there and liked it before, so I decided it would be a close, convenient location to start over. I received assistance from FEMA for relocation and replacement of personal items. I used it to buy a car, drive between Joplin and Springfield; almost daily, to look for a place to move, and also bought myself minimal personal items. When I was contacted by Mindy to let me kinow my application at 417.com had been approved I was excited to know I would finally have a place to call my own again and get back a small part of the security and stability I had taken away from me by the tornado. I met with someone at Parakeet Apartmenton Hwy 60 west of James River Freeway in Brookline, MO. I was shown one of the apartments. It is an old motel that they let out weekly or monthly as apartments. You can see the entire area from the doorway. I looked to see if I thought it was big enough to stay in for a few months while trying to financially recooperate and get into a larger apartment. Decided if it was going to be a stable place to stay for a while I could make it work. I paid a cleaning deposit and a payment to cover one months stay- later seeing the rates posted in the office I learned I was charged more that they had posted. I gave the woman my money-almost the last of all I had, and signed my name on a receipt-not lease, with her signature and that of a witness, written on construction paper. I was told a tv would be put in my unit shortly and the locks would be changed. The tenant/worker that was with her asked if I could come back shortly, I agreed. I went to the store and back to the apt. within an hour. I sat my drink down on the nightstand next to my bed long enough to wash my hair in the sink, since the drain in the tub was clogged with dirt, hair, and other yuck. After washing my hair I turned to grab my drink and the soda can was completely covered in cockroaches. absolutely disgusted I called the manager-Mindy's number that I had been given only to get an answering machine. I left a msg stating name and unit number, information that I had realized the apt had and infestation problem, and asked for a refund of my money. I did not receive a call back. I left to stay with a friend for the night. The following and almost everyday since, I called to reach only her "asst". I explained my problem and repeatedly asked for some time of resolve. Normal wkly rent there is $135. The day after I realized there were problems I even asked if they could deduct a full week rent from what I'd paid and asked if they could repay the remainder. Not being able to contact anyone or receive a return phone call I returned to Joplin the following day. I have not slept a single night there and still have received no resolve or even an attempt at it. I have now gone through my assistance money from FEMA and still have nowhere to call home thanks to these price gouging, advantage taking cowards. I returned briefly yesterday to pack and seal my belongings in trash bags and haul them back to Joplin. I went to the office and asked for Mindy; she was "getting her hair done" and would be back in about an hour. I packed the apartment into my car, went back to the office, and explained once again that there is a bug problem that makes the apt inhabitable. Only now I was able to show her in person that there was also a flea problem that was actually worse than the roaches. My legs were absolutely covered as soon as I walked through the doorway. They actually began attacking about 3ft in front of my door. The assistant told me that they all have and live with bugs and they are sprayed occassionaly and mine wsould get done next time someone gertsw around to taking care of spraying the apartments. I called the Greene Co. and Springfield health departments and spoke with city hall in Republlic. I then called FEMA who recommended that i contact the attorney general, the Missouri Health Coalition, and legal services. I relayed the information to this woman after she said Mindy had returned but was too busy once again to get to me or return any of my money. I gave them a deadline to at least contact me before being tuned into the above agencies and also the better business bureau and others I am able to locate such as this. I left and still try to contact them with no luck. I am however following through with my word and they will answer to the AG's Office. Ripping off a tornado victim is not being dealt with lightly and is being taken quite serious. They deservde so much worse than what will ever ahppen to them. I was also told by my family attorney to follow through with a civil suit, which I am getting ready to check into right now. Returning my money could have been so much easier and cheaper for them. On average I make the trip once a day if not more trying to find a home in Springfield, which drain even the rest of the change from my pockets. Having to return to my hometown and try to cope with the PTSD that I hardly am able to understand let alone deal with is not fun. Being homeless, once again even though I've paid for an apartment is not fair. The maximum amount I am able to take them to court for will beworth far less than the decency in people that would have had half a heart, or concience, that would have made it right from the beginning. Please avoid this apartment building, this agency, and these spineless slumlords. If your life is miserable they are able to find a way to make it worse. Good luck, hope my bad experience helps someone on down the road Jessica, Brookline
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