Need to file a complaint?
BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process.
Complaint Details
Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.
Initial Complaint
04/11/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Order Issues
- Status:
- Answered
The agreed amount I signed at Olympia Steel Buildings.I asked for R13 insulation and they raise the price $6000.00. No issue with that, they then sent the attached for what was the final payment and I DocuSign the attached, with the final payment at $27,630.00 has agreed. I have no issue with that has agreed. They illegally used DocuSign with my name for a document I had never seen and stated I sign a change order for Insulation which I never did sign. This is criminal to some extent and they need to honer the agreement I signed. No change order was signed by me.Business response
04/22/2024
On April 1, 2024, Universal Steel Buildings Corp. t/d/b/a Olympia Steel Buildings (Olympia) and ***** ******* (Buyer) entered into a Contract wherein Buyer agreed to purchase from Olympia a 40’ wide x 62’ long x 16’ eave height pre-engineered metal building (Steel Building) for a sales price of $36,000.00. The Buyer paid a deposit to Olympia in the amount of $10,800.00 with a balance due of $27,630.00 (COD) upon delivery of his Steel Building. On April 10, 2024, Buyer executed a Booking Letter confirming the COD amount due and a delivery date of July 1, 2024.
Coincidentally, prior to the above executed Contract, Olympia had executed two (2) other Contracts with each Buyer’s name of “***** ******** for a total of three (3) Contracts with same Buyer’s name but from three (3) different states! Unfortunately, one (1) document from one (1) of the of the other ***** ******* deals was misfiled in this Buyer’s file. At 11.51 a.m. April 11, 2024 (one (1) day after Buyer executed his Booking Letter), our Customer Services Department (CS) mistakenly emailed Buyer that his COD had increased from $27,630,00 to $30,307.71. At 2:33 p.m. that same day Buyer emailed Customer Service 2:54 p.m. stating “why the increased cost”? At 2:54 p.m. CS emailed Buyer that Olympia had not increased the sales price. After business hours Buyer emailed CS at 5:20 p.m., 5:23 p.m., 5:26 p.m., 5:32 p.m., 5:37 p.m., and 7:50 p.m. and then that evening filed a complaint with the BBB. On April 12, 2024, and before business hours, at 7:56 a.m., Buyer emailed CS. At 10:33 a. m. this matter was escalated by email from CS to me. I was in meetings at that time but when they concluded I called and spoke to the Buyer at 1:22 p.m. and 2:53 p.m. Buyer was very agitated and had advised me that he had had a sleepless night. I apologized to him for Olympia’s unintended mistake and reminded him there was no way CS could have responded to his multiple emails more expediently since they were sent either after or prior business hours. I reconfirmed with him that his COD is $27,630.00 and delivery of his Steel Building is still on track for a July 1, 2024 delivery. The tension and the angst at the outset of our initial call took a 180 degree turn by the time our second call concluded. As a courtesy to the Buyer, I also reduced his COD by $250.00 from $27,630.00 to $27,380.00 which he sincerely appreciated.
Frankly, Olympia was and continues to be timely responsive to any of Buyer’s inquiries.
Customer response
04/22/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.] Olympia is not honoring the contract of $27,630.00. Olympia made assumed build conditions in the engineer specification. They assumed the building was heated and that changes the snow load requirement which I had sent the counties requirement in the begining. Now I am being told I have to have a change order for there mistake and pay an added $603.00 to fix there mistake. So the original price agreed upon at $27,630 is inaccurate.
Regards,
***** *******Initial Complaint
11/30/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
A building kit of a 30x60x18 shop was purchased in 2020 from Olympia Steel buildings. The building was sold to me by the owner in 2022. The owner received the building and never erected it. When i began erecting the building i found it was missing all of the roof panels, sunlight panels, and some trim pieces. I contacted customer service and after 2 weeks of "investigation" i was told this has never happened before and they are working on a solution. Then I was advised that due to being outside of the time frame Olympia is not legally obligated to right this issue. They have also been unwilling to provide the shipping receipts which would show if the missing metal was ever shipped and delivered. While I understand that the company is not obligated to right this situation, one would think that if the entire roof and other pieces were NEVER shipped, the company would do the right thing and supply the missing metal. When I asked for an itemized shipping receipt, they refused to produce it. When i questioned them further the company stated that the legal team advised them not to answer any questions on the matter. It is clear the roof was never shipped. All I am looking for is for the original order to be fulfilled,Business response
12/07/2023
The Parties have settled their differences. *** ****** will confirm by email to the BBB,
Customer response
12/08/2023
From: <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Dec 8, 2023 at 12:35 AM
Subject: Message from BBB.org
To: <[email protected]>
Regarding complaint ********** we have settled our differences and reached an agreement. It has been settled satisfactorily.Initial Complaint
09/20/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
This was the absolute worst company to deal with Christine was all nice and everything until they got my money, and then it all changed they sent pieces that weren't even for my building that you could tell they recycled for another project, there were lots of universal pieces with lots of holes drilled in them I. Was told it was a custom building built just for me. They sent pieces that didn't even belong to my building. And then tried to claim that I stole clips from my old building. Because they never sent them because they got lost somewhere. In transit, this company is absolutely terrible from the bottom-up.Business response
10/02/2023
As we discussed earlier today, I prematurely and inadvertently hit the “Proceed Button" in the BBB program before I had completed my response. Since the BBB program does not provide the opportunity to address one’s mistake, I suggested and you agreed that I could email our full response to you so that it could be filed and included in BBB’s public record system after our above mistaken action. Please also have this introductory paragraph included with the filing of the below full response. Thank you.
On April 10, 2023, Universal Steel Buildings Corp. t/d/b/a Olympia Steel Buildings (Olympia) and *** ***** executed a Contract for the purchase of a 40’ x 50’ x 14’ pre-engineered metal building (Steel Building) for the sale price of $48,150.00. It is apparent that *** ***** filed a complaint with the BBB that is deceitful and a misrepresentation of any material facts.
During the course of this transaction, Olympia’s Customer Service Team (CST) and this respondent had multiple interactions by email and by telephone with *** *****. On multiple occasions he stated to us that “I do not know what I am doing“ which in itself was strange, confusing and difficult to comprehend. He did complain about damaged materials and components delivered by Olympia specifically the ridge caps, trim, door jambs and underneath panels. Upon closer inspection of photos provided by *** *****, it was determined by CST and *** ***** that there were no damaged materials and components which is a 180-degree reversed position from his complaint!
However, when the erection company arrived at the jobsite, and after completing their inventory of the delivered materials and components, they advised *** *****, who advised Olympia, that the corner pieces for the Steel Building were the wrong size. The correct size corner pieces were promptly ordered by Olympia and delivered to the jobsite.
Below is the written report and above attached photos furnished by the erection company relative to their installation of *** *****’ Steel Building. Except for the above noted mis sized corner pieces, their report confirms that the Steel Building was erected as contracted with *** *****, using all the materials and components delivered by Olympia to the jobsite. With an impending storm to hit Maine, the report also states at the request of *** *****, that the erection company returned on short notice to the jobsite to install the corner pieces wherein *** ***** thereafter refused to pay the erection company their final payment due in the amount of $5,000.00 which to date remains unpaid. Otherwise, I will allow the below erection report to speak for itself:
“We were contracted to erect a building for *** ***** and upon arrival we had determined the anchor bolts were not located as per plans. Brandon, the crew leader, had a discussion with the owner, letting him know we could either leave and he get the anchor bolts right, we could install the anchor bolts for an additional fee or we could install using as many of the right bolts possible and he could get his concrete guys out there to fix anchor bolts. He agreed to having his concrete guys due it later because they "screwed" up a lot and they have other things to fix and he didn't want another delay.
We moved forward erecting the building. On our contract we do the work then invoice the customer in progress payments. The owner stalled out in paying in a timely manner and then proceeded to discuss the amount we were charging for erecting the building with the crew, which was the first sign he wasn't going to pay. He then proceeded to complain to Brandon that I was expecting the progress payment. Anyways, very inappropriate conversations to have with my workers. Moving forward, he paid each installment as it was completed and we erected the building and he did nothing but compliment the crew and complained he was going to have lawsuits with everyone else and we were the only ones.....typical owner trying to encourage the workers. We did find the corner pieces were not the right size and upon completion of the building let the owner know. He called Olympia and they indicated they would get new corner pieces created and sent out asap. Owner was happy with building but didn't feel he needed to pay the final installment because he was concerned we would not make it back up to Maine to install the four corners. Last week he called and said Olympia sent the corner pieces and a big storm was coming. He was worried the building would get damaged if the corner pieces were not installed immediately. I had Brandon on a jobsite seven hours away and had him close up that jobsite and drive directly to Maine to get those corner pieces on. Brandon arrived the next morning installed the corner pieces and owner was satisfied. I invoiced owner again and he delayed in his response till he finally said he was hoping we would just call it even because of the scratches on a panel, I explained he owed over $5,000 and that was well over the value of a panel. Time goes by and he starts to send texts about all the problems with the building and how he is going to sue everyone. It was well over 3 weeks from the time the building was great to now the building is horrible and he wants my insurance and is going to file a lawsuit against JCS too. He reached out to Brandon today asking for details saying he wouldn't tell anyone if Brandon would share the company insurance etc.
I offered a payment installment plan to get the final amount paid. He said no, see ya in court! In the end, I do think it is all about the money, not the building or workmanship. If there are scratches other than the one panel, they happened after we left. I have attached the pictures of the project. Brandon and same crew finished a project in Maine the job before this and another in New Jersey right after. Both customers are willing to talk to anyone about the quality of work, they were pleased and tipped the crew for a job well done!Regards,
Arthur S****
Senior AdministratorCustomer response
10/02/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
I find it very odd that the Original reply was done by a contractor who Apparently has no affiliation with this Company. I have screenshot of the original message. And then it was changed by another person within olympia steel company. This shows clearly how shady of a company they are. I have numerous items that were incorrect or are missing brackets. That they could even say we're from another building. The building company sent damaged parts and the wrong building materials for numerous buildings. They didn't send the clips. They didn't send the right girders. Which I have a picture of which I will post if necessary. About one side having the bracket in the other side. Not I have brought this to their attention. And they basically ignored me and wouldn't answer my calls or messages.
Regards,
****** *****Business response
10/14/2023
Please note that ****** ***** stated in his Complaint and Response the following:
(A)
“they sent pieces that weren’t even for my building that you could tell they recycled for another project, there were lots of universal pieces with lots of holes drilled in them. They sent pieces that didn’t even belong to my building.”The above statements are false and misrepresentative. On multiple occasions, whether by telephone or emails, *** ***** stated to members of our Customer Services Team and to me that he had “no idea of what he is doing” (referring that he did not understand anything about Steel Buildings) I have attached an inter-office email, marked Exhibit A, which confirms his statements as just noted in the prior sentence. But if *** ***** has no knowledge of steel buildings, how does he justify his statements in paragraph 1 above.
By the way, the holes drilled into the materials are not due to negligence but intentionally to provide the necessary space for attaching screws, bolts, fasteners, etc.(B)
*** ***** further stated in his Complaint that: “And then tried to claim that I stole clips from old building.” What does that statement even mean? Why would any Olympia Steel Buildings (Olympia) employee ever have a discussion with *** ***** stealing clips from his “old building” when that assertion has no relevance or materiality to the recent production of *** *****’ Steel Building purchased from Olympia. Prior thereto, Olympia never had a business relationship with *** *****. *** ***** is a very confused individual.(C)
In *** *****’ Response he stated that:“The building company sent damaged parts and the wrong materials for numerous buildings.” I have attached Exhibit B, a copy of the Contract between Olympia and *** ***** which is solely for the purchase from Olympia of one (1) Steel Building 40’ wide x 50’ long x 14’ high. Once again, a very confusing statement by *** *****.
I have also attached Exhibit C which is the erection report prepared by JCR Construction Services LLC (JCR), dated September 21, 2023, who *** ***** contracted with to erect his Steel Building. On page 1 of that report Paragraph 2, second sentence states:
“All of Olympia’s materials and components were delivered to Josh Lewis jobsite were in good order with no damages and timely installed accordingly without issue.”
However, I must clarify JCR’s above quoted statement. Oympia acknowledges that there were some minor damages of materials and components delivered to the jobsite, but Olympia promptly delivered replacement parts and installation was not delayed but “timely installed” as noted in the erector’s above quote.
As further noted in the erector’s report there were four (4) corner pieces which were the wrong size and were reordered from Olympia and were delivered were installed without any further labor cost by JCR in a return trip to the jobsite. The photos attached were provided by JCR upon completion of their installation.
For 35 years Universal Steel Buildings Corp. t/d/b/a Olympia Steel Buildings (Olympia) has been producing custom made pre-engineered steel buildings (Steel Building) in all sizes and shapes, from 1,000 to over 200,000 square feet for a myriad of uses including residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, religious and entertainment. Specifically for garages, workshops, commercial office and farm buildings, warehousing, manufacturing, airplane hangars, riding arenas and sports facilities. When issues have arisen, Olympia has always rectified valid claims and that is why Olympia has a BBB rating of A +.
*** ***** Complaint is frivolous, deceitful, a misrepresentation of materials facts, and frankly, libelous.
Initial Complaint
06/14/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
Absolutely stay away from this company, they are as shady as it gets. What is especially bad about them is their "head" salesman Steve. We bought a building from them last year, they re-used some of the structural steel from a project that the previous customer had backed out on and lost their deposit or so they say (if you notice this happens a lot with them, those are probably their smartest customers to get out). Steve is the slimiest salesman I've ever worked with and I was almost dumb enough to buy a Mexico timeshare a few years back from the second slimiest. We negotiated a deal for the building and picked out all the colors just to have him send me the contract with a 10% new construction tax on for my area when it is 2.9% where we live (we know this in and out because we are in construction). He would not drop the tax down even though i sent him information and websites showing it to be 2.9% in our area so i told him we would not sign and would walk away if they don't fix it. Long story short, they left the 10% tax but dropped the price of the building about 10k to have it come out even, super shady. Now we are almost complete with the building and our landscaper hit and damaged two of our siding panels so we called them up to get a quote so he can pay out of pocket or submit it to his insurance, well, amazing salesman Steve won't email us the estimate so the guy can pay the damages because he said we're the ones doing something shady. Whatever, you guys deserve to be out of business and fast! Please take my advice and don't give these guys one centCustomer response
06/26/2023
Yes, let's please close it out, we have worked out a solution. Thank you very much
*** *****Initial Complaint
02/04/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I did a computer search for steel buildings. One of the companies was Olympia Steel Buildings in McKees Rocks. I never went any further with it. After a few weeks Mark W***** from Olympia Steel buildings contacted me by phone. He said he had a building that another customer had backed out on. He said he could give me a deal on it. I went ahead over the phone told them what I wanted; they quoted a price which I agreed to. I sent them a $5000.00 check as a good faith deposit. Next, I was informed that I would need to unload their truck with my forklift. I am a 75-year-old widow. The salesman Kevin K****** recommended a cement contractor (for the pad building would stand on), and whom he had extensively worked with in the past. I made an appointment with the contractor to which he never showed. I have no specs for the cement work. This company assured me that they would guide me through this process. I was told I must rent a forklift. After reading the fine print I saw that "the buyer shall not be entitled to a refund of the whole or part of any part of any payments made to the seller". This company had no expense incurred; supposedly the building was already manufactured, I was doing them a favor by taking it. I would like to get my deposit back.Business response
02/13/2023
On January 5, 2023, Universal Steel Buildings Corp.t/d/b/a Olympia Steel Buildings (Olympia) and ******** ****** (Buyer) entered into a Contract for the Buyer’s purchase of a pre-engineered steel building (Building) a copy of same is attached and marked Exhibit A. On January 23, 2023, sealed permit drawings (Drawings) were emailed to Buyer who indicated she never received them, so they were re-emailed by Olympia to her on February 8, 2023. In a call with Buyer on February 9, 2023, she acknowledged receipt of Olympia’s Drawings a copy of same is attached and marked Exhibit B. On January 30, 2023, Buyer executed Olympia‘s Booking Letter, a copy of same that is attached and marked as Exhibit C. The Booking Letter reconfirmed Buyer’s COD balance due of $12,655.00, dimensions of the ordered Building, an estimated delivery of window of April 24, 2023 - May 8, 2023, and a reminder that pursuant to the Parties executed Contract, that upon delivery of her Building it was Buyer’s sole responsibility to rent a forklift and unload the goods from the delivery truck by whomever would be erecting the Building. However, three(3) days later, on Friday, February 3, 2023, Buyer cancelled her Contract with Olympia and thereby a breach of contract. Then on February 4, 2023, Buyer filed a complaint with the BBB requesting a refund of her deposit in the amount of $5,000.00 although the Contract specifically states that the deposit is nonrefundable which Buyer also acknowledges in her BBB complaint!
Notwithstanding Buyer's above breach of contract and her acknowledgment that her deposit is nonrefundable, Olympia, as a matter of professional courtesy, is willing to refund $2,500.00, or 50% of Buyer’s deposit of $5,000.00.Customer response
02/14/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
This business made no effort in this transaction other than to sell me a building that was rejected by a previous buyer. I did cancel this contract based on the lies that I had been told from the beginning of this interaction. My good faith deposit of $5000.00 is proof that I acted assuming Olympia also acted in good faith. For this company to charge me $2500.00 is beyond reasonable. NO effort was put forth by them therefore they should not be paid.regards
******** ******
Initial Complaint
11/28/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Customer Service Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
Ordered a 30x40 building in December of 2021, after working for months on project with Shaun (sales) about adding onto an existing 40x50 structure purchased from Olympia 7 years prior. Shaun explained the facility where the plans for old building were stored had burned down and they had no record of them. I had original plans and I supplied them to Olympia Steel. I received the delivery of building beginning of April 2022, did the inventory of building called Shaun with the problems of wrong parts/missing items etc. For about 4.5 months I was told delivery was going out next week, roof panel was backordered it will be next week, next week, next week then in September I was given three different delivery dates and the stuff never showed up. I spoke to someone from Olympia who put me in contact with Alex. Alex informed me I was talking to wrong person and he would take care of it. It is now just about December in New England, I do not have the parts to start sheeting my building. The steel frame is erected and waiting for base trim to start sheeting the wall, missing roof panels, correct ridge cap to match the old building, correct gutters, gable trim and downspouts. Nothing about this building matches the plans I provided them except the colors. Alex offered me $2500 which is what he said the materials cost him and said I should have just sourced the parts locally and the building should have been finished by now. I was not even looking for the materials locally, I was being told weekly that they would arrive the following week. I purchased a complete building to attached to an existing building and for 6.5 months my steel is sitting outside being weathered without the parts to finish my project and somehow Olympia Steel refuses to provide me either the parts that I am missing or any money to find the parts locally. This is personally my third building, four additional referral buildings purchased. I could not be more appauled by how this transaction is going.Business response
12/09/2022
Since *** ********* filed his complaint on 11/28/22, our Customer Services' Manager has spoken with him with respect to his issues. In the next several
business days we have requested and should have a response back from the Factory as to a timeframe to deliver the necessary parts to *** *********, or in the
alternative, we will be prepared to offer him a financial settlement.
Customer response
02/09/2023
Hi ***,
I just wanted to update the BBB that Olympia steel has fulfilled their part and both parties have resolved their issues amicably. Thank you for your time and the update.
****Initial Complaint
11/08/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Purchased building from them. They sent my customer an invoice showing my contractor cost without verification of who was calling and requesting. The contract was in my name, my companies name. I called them to advise of mistake. The first two employees said “oh my, WOW- what a mistake” then I got to Alex…cussed me out and hung up…from then on I couldn’t get back thru the secretary- ran me around and put me on hold 5 times or more. Wouldn’t tell me who the superiors were etc…I didn’t ask for anything yet…accused me of “shaking them down” and hung up.Business response
11/18/2022
On December 31, 2021, Universal Steel Buildings Corp. t/d/b/a Olympia Steel Buildings (Olympia) entered into a Contract (See Exhibit A attached) with Immaculate Contracting LLC,(Buyer) for the sale of a 40' x 48' 12' pre-engineered metal building (Steel Building) for the purchase price of $27,900.00 with an estimated delivery date of May, 2022. On February 23, 2022, Buyer executed Olympia's Booking Letter (See Exhibit B attached)) agreeing to a delivery window of 5/30/22 to 6/13/22 for the Steel Building. However, due to personal reasons, Buyer requested and Olympia agreed to postpone delivery of the Steel Building for approximately three (3) months saving Buyer a $500.00 monthly storage fee.
Buyer, as the general contractor, had then executed an agreement with ******* ***, the end user, for the sale and erection of the Steel Building. Buyer had provided *** *** specific instructions to pay Olympia the COD payment due of $21,204.00 even though *** *** had no contractual relationship with Olympia! After *** *** paid Olympia the COD due, he thereafter requested a receipt from Olympia which Olympia promptly emailed to him. Buyer then stated to me: "That when *** *** reviewed Olympia's receipted invoice (See Exhibit C attached) he noticed that Buyer had charged him $10,000.00 more than Olympia had charged Buyer". *** ***** statement was erroneous in his $10,000.00 valuation since he lumped in the erection services to be provided by Buyer. In all fairness to the Buyer, Buyer certainly had the right to earn a profit from the sale of the Steel Building, and additionally, it was unfair by *** *** to include the erection services of the Steel Building as part of the $10,000.00 valuation when Olympia only produced the Steel Building.
On November 8, 2022, Buyer filed a BBB complaint against Olympia. Several days prior to filing this complaint, Buyer called into Olympia and spoke in length to two (2) customer service representatives and its Senior Vice-President. In the course of these calls with Olympia personnel, Buyer stated he was frustrated that *** *** was so angry with him. Although all Olympia employees are trained to be professional and courteous to all of its customers, unfortunately, these calls with Buyer were inapplicable, long and ultimately they became heated discussions between the Parties. My obvious question to Buyer was why did he specifically require *** *** to pay Olympia's COD?! Buyer's answer was that he had the feeling that *** *** was not going to pay him so to ensure that the COD payment would be made, Buyer directed *** *** to pay Olympia directly.
Buyer solely created this crisis with *** *** and then he had the audacity to spill it into Olympia's lap notwithstanding Olympia's good will to buyer as noted above.
Initial Complaint
08/12/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Dec2021, I paid a building deposit of $8,190 for a steel building. We were told this particular building was one that a previous customer canceled on and they needed to get rid of it. I was assured by my salesman that everything would be included, I just needed someone to erect it. We originally were promised our building to be received in Apr2022. Feb2022 I received an email from Tim S stating that the booking department was trying to get a hold of us. After 15 attempts of back and forth phone tag, I was finally able to speak with Shala on 3/10 about booking the delivery. This is when she informed me that the soonest booking window was now in July2022 , three months further out than what was promised. This is also the time I was informed that I would need a forklift to unload the building as the driver would not.?!? After signing the booking letter, I asked to speak with a manager about what was going on. 3/11/22 I spoke with Alex about the misrepresentations of the building, what was included and about the strongarm sales tactics and now the delivery of my building has been moved to July. I said I wouldn't care to do business with this type of experience and that is when I was informed that he would be more than happy cancel my building but I would not be refunded my building deposit as I signed a contract. Since they refused to refund my money, we proceeded with the delivery. 6/20 I reached out to see if they had nailed down the delivery date, they told me the shipping department will call as soon as they have an exact date. My delivery window was 7/4-7/18. 7/18 I called as my building was not delivered and I had not been contacted. I was informed my building was never manufactured. Alex contacted me on 7/19, trying to force me to sign another booking contract for Sept. It's August and I still don't have a building that I was told would be delivered in April. I would like a full refund of my $8190.08 deposit for the building I don't have.Business response
08/22/2022
On December 28, 202** *** ********** (Buyer) and Universal Steel Buildings Corp. t/d/b/a Olympia Steel Buildings (Seller) executed the attached Contract for the purchase of a 30’ x 40’ x 12’ pre-engineered steel building (Steel Building) for the sale price of $27,300.00 wherein Buyer paid Seller a deposit of $8,190.00. From January 19, 2022, through March 8, 2022, between the Shipping and Customer Service Departments, our representatives left twelve (12) unanswered voicemail messages with the Buyer trying to set up with her a delivery date. On March 10, 2022, Buyer signed and emailed the attached Booking Letter to Seller wherein she agreed to a July 4, 2022 – July 18, 2022 delivery window for her Steel Building. However, only five (5) days later, on March 15, 2022, Buyer called Customer Service and cancelled her Steel Building! At which time Buyer was informed that by cancelling her Steel Building her Engineering Deposit of $8,190.00 was non-refundable pursuant to Page 2 of the Contract, its Terms and Conditions. Buyer then screamed and hung up on Seller’s service representative. Incredulously, three (3) months later the next communication between the Parties was on June 19, 2022, when Buyer spoke to Shipping inquiring whether a delivery date had been “nailed down” for her Steel Building! Buyer was informed that she had cancelled her Steel Building on March 15, 2022, which Buyer denied ever cancelling her job order. Notwithstanding all these events, Seller in good faith, placed Buyer’s job order into design wherein her Steel Building was fabricated. On or about July 19, 2022, Buyer was informed that delivery would take place between the end of August and the first week of September 2022 which she then objected to that delivery window timeframe, and since that date, has refused to take delivery of her Steel Building.
Buyer filed her BBB Complaint on August 12, 2022. On Saturday, August 14, 2022, Seller received from the BBB a copy of Buyer’s Complaint. On Tuesday, August 16, 2022, Universal left Buyer 2 unanswered voicemail messages. Between Tuesday 8/16/22 and Thursday 8/18/22, the Parties exchanged emails with no resolution. Last Friday, August 19, 2022, our Senior V P of Sales reached out to the Buyer and left her a voicemail message who then received a text from Buyer stating: “Not able to accept calls until August 21. Please feel free to reach out via text or email until that time.” To date, there has been no verbal response from the Buyer to our Senior V.P of Sales call.
Presently, Seller’s sole objective is to resolve the Parties differences amicably. We hope Buyer will respond to Seller’s most recent calls by simply calling back our Senior V P of Sales.Customer response
08/27/2022
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]Jan 31, I received an email from Shala about arranging my delivery for the building between 5/2/2022 through 5/16/2022. This went to spam. Feb 28, I received an email from Ken *** and Tim ***** asking me to contact Tim about delivery. I called and spoke with Tim. Telling him I work from home and that we can accommodate any date for delivery and that 5/2-5/16 was fine. Between Feb 28 – March 10 I played phone tag with Shala, as every time she called it sent her to voicemail because she was calling from a block number and every time I returned her call it forwarded the call to her personal cell’s voicemail. Booking letter was signed on March 10 for delivery between July 4-July 18.
Directly after signing the booking letter, I asked Shala for the customer service number as I was not happy with my experience up until that point. She provided the number and I call that day, March 10th. I spoke with Misty, who told me she would have someone call me back about this. On March 11th, CSA called me and we spoke about all the issues, the purposely omitted and misleading information that was coming to light. Every time we turned around it was something new. During the sales pitch I was told that the only thing I was going to need was for someone to erect the building and that purchasing the doors locally would be cheaper. When speaking with my sales rep, Ken, I specifically told him what I was looking for and the budget I had for the building to be standing on my property as well as this was residential. After my deposit was received and contract signed, I was then made aware that foundation information is not part of the plans. When I asked my sales rep about this, they said it was in there. Tim informed me on Jan 31 that I would need a foundation engineer locally do that portion. You can’t certify a building for a certain wind rating without foundation information. Then during the booking process, to my shock, I was informed I needed to offload the building from the truck and would need a forklift that could handle 4000lbs. I’ve never purchased something of that size that I as the buyer was responsible for offloading anything during delivery. This is when the CSA advised me he would be more than happy to cancel my building, but I would not be receiving my deposit back as I signed a contract. I advised of the misleading and omitted information and that’s when he read this line in the contract to me “This Contract and the Warranty Document is the final, complete, exclusive and fully integrated record of the agreement between Seller and Buyer concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings or agreements of Buyer and Seller.” And told me it didn’t matter what the salesperson led me to believe I had signed a contract and the contract was there to protect them and me. That’s when I clearly pointed out that nothing about that contract was protecting me as the buyer and that they were NOT going to cancel the building and keep my deposit. They could deliver the building during the contracted time of July 4-July18. At no point did I yell or hang up on anyone.
As we were getting closer to the delivery window, I emailed Shala asking if they had nailed down a date for delivery on June 19. On June 20, Shala replied, Your tentative delivery window is 7/4-7/18. The shipping department will call you as soon they have an exact delivery date”. I have attached the email for you. Between June 20-July 18 there was no further contact from Olympia Steel Buildings. On July 18th I call and left a message in Misty’s voicemail asking about my building. That’s when I received a call back from the shipping department same day, July 18, telling me my building was never built and that the file said pending cancellation on it. Remind you, we were told this particular building was one that a previous customer canceled on and they needed to get rid of it. When I asked why, he said he wasn’t sure, but Misty was out of the office and would have someone follow up with me. July 18, about 20 mins later, I received a call from Alex again advising the building was pending cancellation. Not cancelled, but pending cancellation. This is when he advised me that he would do me a favor by pushing my building ahead of other customers and that he was taking a loss on this as steel prices had increased and he wasn’t going to charge me anymore, but I would have a sign another booking letter for delivery between Aug 22 - Sept 5. This is when I advised Alex I would not be signing anymore contracts with their company. Alex then told me that if I didn’t sign another booking letter for the new date, that Olympia Steel Buildings would not send me a building. He then pushed for me to sign it again, at one point he said he was going to talk to his supervisor about it and call me back. He never called back and on July 19 I received a DocuSign for the new booking letter. July 20, I received a call from Shala, telling me if I didn’t sign the booking letter the delivery date would change again and if I didn’t sign they would not send a building. I advised her, that I had already told Alex that I would not sign anymore contracts. She said she was going to call Alex. 30 mins later I get a call from Alex demanding I sign the booking letter or they won’t send the building, which I replied in same, I will not sign anymore contracts with Olympia Steel buildings.
As Olympia Steel has not only failed to fulfill the signed agreement for delivery between July 4- July 18, they’ve refused to deliver a building because I would not sign another booking letter. For those reasons alone, I am requesting a full refund of the building deposit I paid on Dec 26, 2021 in the amount of 8190.08.
Arthur never called me on Aug 16 at ************* This number is clearly listed on the signed purchase order. He stated he couldn’t leave me a voice mail because all he got was music. Yet in Universals statement they said they left me 2 unanswered voicemails. Yet another fabrication and manipulation of facts. Arthur did email me on Aug 16, which I replied on Aug 18. Email has been attached. On Aug 19, I received only a missed call, no voicemail left from ************, which I did reply via text: “Not able to accept calls until August 21. Please feel free to reach out via text or email until that time.” To date there has been no written communication received back from Arthur or Universal.
Aug 26, I received a phone call from Jerry in the shipping department asking me when I could accept the delivery of my steel building. I advised Jerry that I was told if I didn’t sign another booking letter that Olympia Steel Buildings would not deliver a building and was confused by the phone call. That’s when Jerry said that comments were added in by Misty on the week of August 15 stating that she spoke with me and that I would sign another booking letter and to send out my building. Another fabrication. In their own statement they said they haven’t spoken with me. The week of August 15th I was in the Dominican Republic and spoke with no one from Olympia Steel Buildings via phone. I did receive an email from Arthur on August 16th. Email has been attached.
I don’t know what kind of games this company is trying to play but this is just another reason in the long list of reason that I will not continue to do business with an unethical and fraudulent business. They are fabricating information and trying to bully us. I can’t even trust at this point that they would send me what I’m supposed to receive. They are in breach of contract for failing to deliver the building I put a down payment on in the agreed upon time of July 4 - 18th, 2022. Furthermore, the company failed to fulfill their obligation regarding the attached document referred to by ****** ********** AND UNIVERSAL STEEL BUILDINGS CORP. EXECUTED CONTRACT, as I never received an “Acceptance Copy” (of said Contract duly signed by an authorized officer of the Seller). These “Seller” conditions were never in place, so according to their own document I am entitled to a full refund.
As the initial deposit was paid on a credit card, I contacted the card to dispute the charge, sought resolution with the BBB, and I will be registering a complaint
with the Pennsylvania Attorney General.
Regards,
****** **********Business response
09/07/2022
Seller and Buyer have reached a verbal settlement subject to the Parties executing a Mutual Release Agreement which Agreement is presently being reviewed by Buyer's counsel.
Initial Complaint
06/28/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
We ordered a building and had problems from the beginning. Finally seemed to fix those problems then missing items at delivery and the company has not wanted to step up and make it right. While this was going on we were thinking about ordering a 2nd building and went through those steps and tried to cancel and they pressured us into signing the 2nd contract. We have tried several times to cancel and especially now that the 1st building is full of problems and the person we are in contact with Arthur S**** seems to keep wanting us to jump through hoops just to move the last hoop. We have waited a week to have him respond after he made us go get a quote and a week later he won’t answer the email or call us. We tried 2 times to call today 6/28 and he sent a text he would call later. We are in a remote area and have very little service so he knows that when we message or call we have to stay at the front of the property to get his call. Another delay tactic on his part. Right now we want the $2,000 back for missing parts, $4700 deposit on the 2nd building and the $ from the quote for the missing porch pieces. All in all about $10,000 he owns us now. I’m tired of playing games and hope this gets someone’s attention and they take care of this matter.Business response
07/07/2022
On October 4, 2021, and January 22,2022, *** ****** and Universal Steel Buildings Corp.t/d/b/a Olympia Steel Buildings (Universal) respectively entered into two (2) contracts each Contract for the purchase for a pre-engineered steel building (PEMB) which shall now be known as Building #1 and Building #2 Contracts.
Building #1 Contract (See Exhibit A attached) was for the purchase of a 40' x 70' x 10' PEMB for the sale price of $51,500.00 but was amended by the Parties executing a Change Order dated October 19, 2021, reducing the length of the Building from 70' to 40'. On page 1 of Building Contract #1 in the Special Notes Section also included an additional twenty four (24) ten (10) foot panels (See also attached Exhibit A photo evidencing said panels were loaded on a flatbed with the number **** on each packed crate which is the same number as *** ********* Factory Job Number) to be used for framing the roof of the proposed porch. However, what the Contract #1 did not include were the steel components and hardware necessary to flash the porch roof to the new PEMB. Not until the PEMB was erected would *** ******** contractor, or any other competent individual, without a set of stamped engineered drawings available prior to the execution of Building #1 Contract, would or could anyone have known specifically the steel components and hardware support items to order. However, if the opposite was true, rest assured that Universal's sales representative (SR) would certainly have been happy to price out the steel components and hardware support items to order and thereby adding that cost to the original $51,500.00 price of the PEMB! On this subject, Universal's SR had several discussions with *** ****** and her partner, *** ******* prior to and after Building #1 Contract was executed by the Parties.
As noted above, the Parties executed Building Contract#2 on January 22, 2022 for the sale of a 20' x 20' x 10' PEMB with a purchase price of $15,700.00 (See Exhibit B attached), over 3 1/2 months after *** ****** signed Building #1 Contract. On February 19, 2022 (Cancellation Date), 29 days thereafter, *** ******, in writing cancelled by email (See also Exhibit B attached) Building #2 Contract and requested that her deposit of $4,710.00 (Deposit) be subtracted from Building # 1 COD of $36,050.00 or just refunded. By cancelling this Contract, *** ****** was in breach of same in the amount of her $11,967.33 (COD). Even if we had permitted *** ****** to cancel Building # 2 Contract, Page 2 of same stated that her Deposit was non-refundable. Unfortunately, the issues of Building Contract #2 were exacerbated prior to *** ******** Cancellation Date, since the PEMB had already been submitted into design and manufacturing and thereby was fabricated.
Notwithstanding that Universal had no legal obligation under Building #1 Contract to deliver to *** ****** steel components and hardware to flash the additional twenty-four (24) ten (10') foot roof panels to her PEMB, Universal as a matter of courtesy, would like to resolve this matter with *** ****** by paying her $2,000.00 subject to the Parties executing a Mutual Release Agreement drafted by Universal.
With respect to *** ******** breach of Building #2 Contract, and as consented to by the Parties pursuant Page 2 of this Contract, Universal will forego filing a civil action in the Court of Common Pleas, County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of PA to collect its damages from *** ****** for the COD and storage fees of $2,000.00 still due together with Universal's right to be reimbursed for its reasonable attorneys' fees and all costs, but subject however, to Universal retaining *** ******** Deposit as liquidated damages and the Parties executing a Mutual Release Agreement drafted by Universal.
Customer response
07/08/2022
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
Regards,
***** ******I only have 30 minutes to respond and don’t have all my documents with me. We tried to say we didn’t want building 2 before the contract was signed. Each time they pushed us to get it. They promised the $2000 long ago for the missing items. And they don’t have the right to keep a deposit on a building we tried to cancel before the contest was signed. Looking over their other reviews on BBB this seems to be how they run their business. Not sending parts. Pushing people to buy when they say they don’t want to. Then keeping deposits. Not going to work for us. We want at least our deposit and the $2000 that was already promised to us. They will just post to the next customer that they have a 20x20 building and jack up the price, white out the name and sell it again. They really need to be reported to the Pennsylvania attorney general for shady business practices. I have not dealt with more unethical people before. They know we tried to say we didn’t want building 2 before the contract was signed and several times since then. Arthur won’t call back and when he does it’s a joke. Jump through a hoop to do what he asks only to have the hoop moved further out. We asked for $10,000 but will settle for the $6700. That’s our deposit plus the $2000.
Business response
07/20/2022
*** ******** 7/11/22 BBB response is a total misrepresentation of fact as well as an act of bad faith.
As to Building #1, *** ****** continues to allege that there are missing materials from her delivery notwithstanding that Universal already provided her and the BBB photos of the loaded materials, and which photos were included as part of Exhibit A attached to Universal's 7/7/22 response to *** ******** BBB complaint. She further states that she is due components and hardware necessary to flash the roof to her pre-engineered steel building even though her executed Contract further evidences that these components and hardware are no way provided for in said Contract. Notwithstanding that Universal has performed all of its legal obligations pursuant to the Contract, Universal offered *** ******, as a matter of professional courtesy in its 7/7/22 response, $2,000.00 subject to the Parties executing a Mutual Release Agreement drafted by Universal. Actually, although not clearly articulated in *** ******** 7/11/22 response, she indeed accepted Universal's offer of $2,000.00 while simultaneously feeling necessary to continue to spew her misrepresentations of fact and acts of bad faith.
With respect to Building #2 in *** ******** 7/11/22 response, she makes no mention about the fact that she signed Contract #2 with Universal on 1/22/22, and then breached said Contract by her 2/19/22 email sent to Universal cancelling her deal. By that time, Universal was already producing *** ******** job order through one (1) of it's factories. In *** ******** 7/11/22 response, knowing that her steel building has been manufactured, suggests that Universal "jack-up up the price and sell it, just white out the name and resale it". Frankly, what *** ****** is requesting is that Universal rectify her breach of contract! Certainly Universal does not need any advice from *** ******; it just needs for her to perform her final legal obligations under Contract #2 which is to pay her COD of $36,050.00, storage fees that now have accumulated to $2,500.00 and take delivery of her manufactured pre-engineered steel building. *** ****** demands are otherwise: she wants her deposit of $4,710.00 (Deposit) refunded to her even though she has breached her Contract with Universal and that on Page 2 of said Contract it states that her Deposit is non-refundable! However, once again as a matter of professional courtesy, Universal agrees to pay *** ****** $500.00 and waive its claim of $2,500.00 for storage fees subject to the Parties executing a Mutual Release Agreement drafted by Universal. Our alternative is that pursuant to Page 2 of Contract #2, is for Universal to file suit locally in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, PA, wherein *** ****** has already agreed in Contract #2 to the Court's sole jurisdiction and *** ******** total liability will include as noted above her COD deposit of $36,050.00 and storage fees of $2,500.00 and counting, but also, pursuant to Page 2 of Contract #2, Universal is entitled to be reimbursed for its reasonable attorneys' fees and all of pocket costs.
Customer response
07/21/2022
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
Regards,
***** ******I’m not sure where Mr. S**** learned math or reading but on OUR contract shown here, we owe $11,967 on the 2nd building not the $26,000 ficicious number that Mr S**** has conjured from thin air along with his photoshopped pictures of a load that was CLEARLY not ours as evident by the pictures I provided showing Mr. S****** pictures of our load and what we actually received. Though I am sure he was hoping by delaying this process that we would have gotten rid of the shipping container so we would not have had any ground to stand on. I love that Mr. S**** does not say anything about their bullying tactics or the several emails where I tried to cancel and his salesman Mr. M******** harassed us for months about signing the contract and sending the deposit. Shows their sales tactics are the same for everyone not just me by evidence provided by other BBB complaints about bullying and harassment. Mr. S**** also told us to get a quote for the porch addition that was not included but WAS in our contract per Mr. M********* Why should he ask us to get a quote if he was so sure that they didn’t owe us the money or the parts. I didn’t even ask for the $4000+ that was quoted by Menards to finish the porch, even though our phone conversations indicated he would help with part of this money to get our porch finished. Ironic how Mr. S**** only remembers that parts that are relative to him bullying customers. We tried to compromise and come down from the $10,000 we were asking from Mr. S**** for the $2,000 promised, $4710 deposit and $4,000 for the porch that was promised and not delivered. We only asked for the $2,000 plus the refund of the deposit of $4710. He also neglects to say that they actually breached contract number 1 by changing the color of the guttering and downspouts with our on signature but I guess that also does not go in their favor so he ignores that. Funny how THEY breach the contract and they just continue to threaten to take me to court and bully but ignore the fact that they didn’t even fill the contract on building number 1 because the porch per Mr. M******** WAS included. We want to stop building number 2 and tried to do that more than 1 time, because he has not even finished the building number 1 contract. That’s bad business and he knows it. Just likes to threaten and bully and I guess going after a woman gives him so type of power. I don’t care what he thinks we owe him. Other BBB complaints have shown they DO refund despots and they DO settle this without a court room.
Customer response
07/21/2022
I now have it PROVING that we paid for porch pieces that were to be in the order and they were not. This email from Joe M******** is in response to me asking below where the pieces were and him admitting they sold us porch pieces.Customer response
07/22/2022
Victor with Olympic steel called us this morning and said they will cut a check today for $6700 and refund us and as soon as that gets here I will let you know and we can close the case***** ******Sent from my iPadBusiness response
08/01/2022
On July 21, 2022, the Parties reached a settlement
Customer response
08/02/2022
[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. I was given fair compensation for the problems but NOT by Arthur Smith. Thanks to Victor for making this right.
Regards,
***** ******Initial Complaint
06/22/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
At the end of may 2021 I my salesman Ken took deposit for a building $8175 I think…… I have his texts saved….. 10 weeks out….. looking at end of august. On phone he reassured me I’d have building end of august…… I stressed my concern about close to winter and I need for winter storage. Not to worry……yeah right…… finally get estimated delivery and to call. It would be end of dec. I said I can’t get a building unloaded in winter. It was supposed to be in summer. She said she’d call me in spring…….. nothing. I reach out in spring. Only person I called that ever responded from all my call was a nice guy Tim sempf. He said he showed no record of them reaching out for delivery. Weeks go buy I call and again Tim only responds. This was yesterday. Finally a guy today calls. Instantly very confrontational. Told him how dissatisfied I am with my experience and I’d like a refund. He yells at me now way. I say well if I can’t when would u be getting me my building. He says I’d have to pay a lot more for increased steel prices…….. pretty much tells me I’m not getting a penny back. The money was for a generic engineering drawing they use on every building. Very basic. My son could do it in school…….he says good luck! I’m at a loss for words. I saw they had an A+ BBB rating…….. now I see 25 recent complaints not counting mine. How is this possible? I will be uploading screenshots of the salesman reassuring me I would have my building in AugustBusiness response
06/28/2022
The Parties have reached a settlement.
Customer response
06/29/2022
[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Regards,
**** *********
*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩
BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.
BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.
When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.
BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.
As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.
Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating
Contact Information
400 Island Ave
McKees Rocks, PA 15136-3250
Want a quote from this business?
Get a QuoteCustomer Complaints Summary
19 total complaints in the last 3 years.
3 complaints closed in the last 12 months.