Public Mediation

International Buildings, LLC Dispute

H. S. vs. International Buildings, Llc
1121 South Military Trail, #297, Deerfield Beach, Florida, 33442, United States
    • Status: In Negotiation
      This claim has posted for public comment and negotiation. It will remain posted until resolved to the claimant's satisfaction. Suggest a resolution to help these parties reach a settlement.
    • View response from: International Buildings, Llc
    • Claimant Seeks: View.
    • Claim #: 2487370
    • Amount Involved: 3,208.28
    • Filed On: Jan 24, 2014
    • Posted On: Feb 04, 2014
    • Complaint(s):
      • Bad business practices
      • Problem with a service
      • Contract / Agreement / Promise dispute
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Statement of Claim
Claimant says:
"They took my deposit and refuse to give it back when they do not fulfill their part of the contract. They said they would give me custom engineered blueprints that I could get a building permit. What they sent out is generic prints that are not to code according to the International Residential building codes and they are not stamped by an engineer. They have on their contract that the deposit (25% of the cost of the building) is for custom engineered blueprints. In almost every one of the over 30 complaints at the BBB the complaint is because of not getting a refund and the business replies with they have a great cost in creating the plans. That is a lie and this company needs to refund my deposit money. When I checked with the BBB I found out this company has had over 30 complaints for the same thing I have complained about and is C rated. They also have two other businesses owned by the same people (Anthony and Gary Rack) that are F rated. It looks to me like they are making more money by not giving people the blueprints they said they would and then not giving back their deposit. They are also adding up to what they say is 50% of the cost of the building to the price for canceling and then sending that to collections when people refuse to pay it also. So far they have taken me for over $3000.00 and they are demanding more than another $3000.00. This is for a $10,000.00 building. Attached is what they say are custom engineered stamped blueprints. They are not to scale, the foundation is not correct according to the 2006 International Residential Code (presently the code used by Yavapai County Arizona), there is no engineer's stamp on them and are not able to be used to get a permit. To get the correct blueprints it would cost me over $1000.00."
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Exhibits View
Additional Communication Between Claimant and International Buildings, Llc Hide
  • Jan 24, 2014, Claiming party added:
  • Mr. Rack must have a form letter to send responses to the BBB and other agencies because this looks just like the ones the BBB has on file. Stevie (the salesperson in Tempe, AZ) sent me the following email.

    Stevie (IB) stevie@intlbuildings.com
    11/18/13


    Dear Mr. Sizemore :

    Thank you for your recent purchase of an International Building! We greatly appreciate your business and are happy to welcome you to a list of tens of thousands of worldwide satisfied customers.

    Attached is a copy of your accepted contract, verifying that your purchase has been accepted by an authorized representative of International Buildings. Please also note that your order has already been sent to our engineering department and that your custom engineering is currently being drafted and will be sent to you immediately.

    Please feel free to contact an International Buildings customer service representative with any questions that you might have. Customer service representatives can be reached directly at 1-800-309-8544.

    Furthermore, make sure to visit our customer support web site. That web site will explain the delivery and storage process of your building, pre-building assembly, how to finish and customize your building, post-building assembly, how to insure your building, how to maintain your building (especially regarding removal of snow and/or ice from the building during the winter), and how to contact International Buildings with any questions that you might have regarding your building.


    In the second paragraph you can see that Stevie said that my Custom engineered blueprints were being done. In my first complaint filed I attached a copy of the blueprints I received and anyone who knows anything about what is required to get a building permit knows these prints are worthless. and yes the contract does state that what I paid was a "non-refundable Blueprint deposit". I agree that if the company had done what they said they would do and produced Custom blueprints for me and then I canceled they would lose money. But because they would not produce the blueprints I was forced to cancel my order and I am demanding my deposit back. I gave the company many opportunities to do what they said they would do and fulfill their contract and get me a custom set of usable blueprints but they refused.

  • Jan 31, 2014, Claiming party added:
  • If you look into the responses that the BBB has that International Buildings has made about other complaints you will see a pattern. All the responses look so much alike that it looks like they have a form letter ready because they know they will be getting this type of complaints.
    When I talked to the sales person Stevie in the Tempe Arizona office he stated many times that my plans would come with a engineer's wet seal on them. This was prior to me placing the deposit and prior to me seeing the contract. I had already paid the deposit before even seeing the contract. Also stevie sent me an email stating "Please also note that your order has already been sent to our engineering department and that your custom engineering is currently being drafted and will be sent to you immediately." There is nothing custom about these plans, they can be done on a simple drafting program that anyone can purchase. It does not take an engineer to do a set of plans like I received. The only thing that is custom on them is they have my name on them. I have a degree in architectural drafting and design and have done plans to build over 300 custom homes. I know what it takes to get a permit. The building that I ordered is not standard construction because it is not block or frame and needs to be engineered and must have an engineer's stamp on them.
    When I went to get my building permit I was told that the plans that were sent to me were stock plans and do not comply with the 2006 International Residential code which is the code Yavapai county uses. The plans they sent are not even to scale which is always required to submit plans. The concrete floor was correct but the problem with the concrete is that it was not drawn to meet the code. Their plans have the foundation drawn to be 10" wide on the sides and 8" wide on the front and rear. The code calls for 12" wide all the way around. When I talked to the plans reviewer he said that he had worked there for over 15 years and he had never talked to anyone from International Buildings and he checked with the other people in the office and they said the same. He also stated that if anyone was contacted by someone asking about plans he would have told them to refer to the 2006 International Residential Building code.
    If International buildings had fulfilled their part of the contract and given me the wet seal stamped custom blueprints that I wa told I would get there would not be a problem. International building, LLC is doing a bait and switch scheme.
    They are telling people they are going to get wet seal engineer stamped custom blueprints when they have no intention to doing that. I also had to give my deposit before I even saw the contract. They also tell everyone that they have an overstock because of a distributor going out of business and returning buildings to them. they have ordered steel to make more buildings and need to move the buildings to make room for the new steel. They say that they are giving people a big discount because of needing to make room for the steel. I believe this is false advertising.
    I think they do everything they can and tell people what they want to here with no intention of ever sending out a building because they make allot more money by getting people to cancel the contract so they can keep the deposit and then they want to also charge more when they are not delivering what they are contracted to do.
    I have paid $3208.20 so far for a worthless set of stock plans and that is why I canceled my contract . I was told many ties that I would be getting wet seal custom blueprints and that an engineer would contact the building department in Yavapai County to insure the plans could pass code. none of this had been done and my building was being shipped in a few days. I did not want to have the building delivered if I had to go to an engineer at a cost of over $1000.00 to have plans drawn that i was told would come with the building.
    Now that I canceled the contract International Building is demanding another $3178.30 for a total of $6386.50 for some time on the phone with their sales people and some worthless stock prints that they are calling custom blueprints. The building total cost was to be $10,708.38 so I do not understand where they even come up with the numbers they have for the 50% they want to charge me.
    I will only accept a total refund of all money I have given to International Buildings. They are defrauding customers and it needs to stop now.
    d your information here

  • Jan 31, 2014, Claiming party added:
  • Your company is running a bait and switch scheme. The salesperson Stevie who is in your Tempe Arizona office told me many times when we talked that my plans would be custom engineered, wet sealed according to Yavapai County building codes. You say that you contact the building department in the area that the building is going to. All this is false!
    All that a person gets with the building is a set of stock plans that are worthless for getting a permit. They are not even to scale which I have found is required by all the planning and zoning departments I have worked with. FYI, I have designed over 300 custom homes in 6 states so I know what is required. According to the 2006 International Residential Code (the code currently used in most states) A steel building is a not a conventional building so it requires an engineer's stamp on it to get a permit. I only asked that when my custom blueprints are done to code and to scale also if the stem walls be drawn to code (which is 12" all around). I also asked that if while drawing the plans they could also take out the fibermesh and wire called for and replace it with #3 rebar 3' on center. This was not required but just a suggestion because if Custom prints were being done it would normally not be a problem for an engineer to make these changes. The reason I signed the contract was because it stated "Custom Blueprints" on it and that is what I expected to be getting not stock prints. Please refund my money at this time, you have failed to fulfill your part of the contract and that is a breach of contract. If I do not receive a refund soon I will be filing suit for breach of contract. One of your sales people made the mistake of saying to me "how can you afford an attorney when you need to finance a building". That was uncalled for and a bad mistake on his part. I am a retired U.S. Army CW5, I spent 37 years earning my retirement and I chose to finance my building because I decide how and where to spend my money. I have allot of time and money to spend on this and I will not stop until I have a refund. Another stupid thing he said to me was "Do you think I am going to be upset if no one in your family are going to buy one of our buildings". The internet is a powerful thing and I am using it to put the word out to everyone I know and they are sending it out to everyone they know. I belong to many Military and civilian groups and they will be spreading the word about your bait and switch tactics and my goal at this time is to shut down your business either by letting everyone know what a fraudulent business you are running or through legal means. Please end this and just send me a refund today. As your sales person said to me "International Buildings is a multi million dollar company". If this is true the $3208.20 is a small amount for such a large company and would not effect you at all.

  • Feb 10, 2014, Claiming party added:
  • International Buildings, LLC, U.S. Metal Buildings Corp, U.S. Building Systems Corp d/b/a U.S. Buildings, and International Building Systems are all owned by either Anthony or Gary Rack. The Florida Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division is conducting a civil investigation pursuant to Florida Statute 501 part II, Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
    If you have had any dealings with this company that will help this investigation please contact the Investigative Research Assistant Rebecca Maturo at (561) 837-5000 X 203.

What Claimant Wants Hide
1. Refund: $3,208.28 Feb 07, 2014 $3,208.28
2. Other – Copy claim to regulators Feb 07, 2014 $14.99
3. Other – Pay for claim posting cost Feb 07, 2014 $7.99
4. Other – Physical delivery charges Feb 07, 2014 $2.99
Cash total : $3,234.25
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Respondent's Counteroffer Hide
The claimant's settlement terms were rejected with the following explanation:
  • " Sizemore’s comments are blatantly false.

    Please be advised that Sizemore originally contacted International Buildings via internet (after searching for our company on the internet and obtaining our contact information on our website), negotiated the purchase of a building, then purchased a building via telephone from an International Buildings building consultant.

    Please further note that Sizemore’s allegations about not knowing what he purchased and not receiving what he purchased is completely false. Sizemore ordered a pre-fabricated deep arch corrugated Quonset hut style building from International Buildings. He originally ordered his Quonset hut style building from an International Buildings building consultant with factory blueprints only. Wet seal blueprints is an additional cost and was not part of his original order. Please be advised that not only was Sizemore advised at the time of purchase of exactly what his building included, but also Sizemore was informed by a processing agent, on a completely separate telephone call, at the time Sizemore’s order was processed exactly what his building included. Furthermore, when Sizemore’s contract was sent to him for review and execution, the building consultant once again reviewed the order with him, verifying exactly what his building included and did not include. It was at that point, and after being informed 3 times of exactly what his building was and that it included “Factory Blueprints” and not “Wet Seal Blueprints”, that Sizemore signed his contract and sent same back to International Buildings. Sizemore claims he did not know what he ordered and that wet seal blueprints were part of his order. That statement is grossly false. Accordingly, it is evident that Sizemore knew exactly what he ordered and exactly what he bargained for. Furthermore, there was a meeting of the minds with regard to his executed contract.

    Please also note that not only does Sizemore need wet seal blueprints, but also, his area requires him to have custom concrete drawings and calculations which are extremely expensive. Sizemore was informed that he should immediately apply for a building permit. It was at that point that Sizemore contacted International Buildings stating that he needed calculations for the drawings provided by International Buildings. Please be advised that calculations are not part of the engineered blueprints provided by International Buildings and are also not drafted by our in-house engineering department, as almost every county or city building department in the United States does not require calculations. Instead, customers are required to obtain calculations from an alternate source. For some customers, International Buildings will have an outside engineering firm draft the calculations and provide them to the customer at a cost. Sizemore was offered the calculations at the cost International Buildings would incur, just to assist Sizemore. Regardless, Sizemore declined and wanted to cancel his order. Numerous attempts were made to assist Sizemore and reconcile the matter, however, Sizemore continuously stated he wished to cancel his order.

    Please also note that custom blueprints are not free. To date, there are excessive costs incurred with regard to Sizemore’s order. Immediately after placing his order, Sizemore’s custom blueprints were drafted. Please be advised that blueprints drafted for each building are significantly different and are not “stock items.” In fact, each blueprint is custom drafted per a customer’s exact building location. Prior to Sizemore’s engineering being drafted, an engineer from International Buildings contacted the appropriate zoning authorities (this includes city, county and state zoning authorities) in order to verify all appropriate loading requirements. It is after that task is completed that the appropriate structural engineering and concrete drawings, with appropriate steel reinforcements, can be drafted. Immediately after drafting Sizemore’s custom blueprints, they were sent to him. Receipt of mail verification of this can be provided upon your request. Once again, the blueprints drafted by an International Buildings engineer are extremely time consuming and are therefore very costly. Sizemore’s blueprints were custom designed and drafted per his site specifications and can only be used for that location and can not be provided to any alternate future consumer.

    It is specifically for the fact that blueprints are custom and site specific that International Buildings incorporates the following language in capped letters in its contracts: “NON-REFUNDABLE BLUEPRINT DEPOSIT” directly next to the deposit amount. Specifically, Sizemore’s contracts collectively read: “NON-REFUNDABLE BLUEPRINT DEPOSIT: $3,208.28.” Please be further advised that Sizemore’s contracts read in pertinent part: “Upon cancellation of order, Buyer and Seller both agree that 50% of the total price equates to probable damages suffered by seller, and shall be paid by buyer to seller immediately after cancellation of order.” Accordingly, International Buildings is currently entitled to an additional payment by Sizemore for cancellation of the contract.

    International Buildings shall strictly abide by the terms and conditions set forth in the contracts signed by Sizemore, and in turn, expects Sizemore to abide by same. Accordingly, Sizemore’s cancellation of contracts requires him to forfeit the deposit previously tendered to International Buildings plus the remaining balance of the 50% cancellation amount.

    This is strictly a contractual issue and Sizemore must abide by the cancellation terms and conditions of the contract she executed. Once again, Sizemore’s contract reads in pertinent part: “Upon cancellation of order, Buyer and Seller both agree that 50% of the total price equates to probable damages suffered by seller, and shall be paid by buyer to seller immediately after cancellation of order.” Accordingly, there will be no refund of any of the previously tendered deposit and International Buildings was within its right to send Sizemore’s file to its legal department for collections for the remaining balance owed.

    Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions that you might have regarding this matter. Thank you.
    "

This claim will remain posted until resolved.

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  • Comment: by Luree — Online mediator
  • On: 12-08-2014
  • I know for fact that the RACK family is 100% dishonest corrupt and with the help of the internet and phone services! RIP Consumers off everyday from $1500.00 to $20000.00 They send you some good for nothing generic blue prints that are generic cad cam drawings that take 5 min. to print out on a computer and then after there high pressure sales tactics suck you into signing some contract with no contract Number on it and empty out your bank account for as much as they can knowing they are not going to produce anything! hundreds of people have been Ripped off by these Assholes and there not stopping anytime soon ! BEWARE OF THIS COMPANY AND THE RACK FAMILY IN BOCA RATAN FLORIDA the old man Gary is the president and his Punk sons run his metal building company's while Gary tends to restaurants in Florida! Father like sons thieves till one day catches up with them !
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