KODIAK STEEL HOMES INC

Description of Work: My husband and I began researching Kodiak Steel Homes last summer as a possibility for construction of our retirement home here in Texas. My husband even attended a seminar in Arkansas in the fall of 2010. During this time, we were informed of an expected increase in steel prices and that we would be required to make a nineteen percent (19%) deposit to hold the price of the plan we were considering at the 2010 level. We had to make the deposit by the 21st of December, even though Kodiak Steel Homes was aware that we had not made a final decision. On or about the 18th of December, my husband went online and, with the help of Daniel Davis of Kodiak Steel Homes who was also online in Arkansas, went through the process of determining the exact amount we would have to deposit. The amount Mr. Davis determined would be necessary was $8707.88. Mr. Davis knew, or should have known, that we had not made a final decision, but were simply interested in locking in 2010 prices. My husband sent the money, via bank transfer, the same day. In December 2010 and January 2011, we consulted with three contractors who were unanimous in advising us that the Kodiak price was exorbitantly high. They said it would add between 20-30% to the price of the plan we were considering. They all advised us to cancel the order, which we thought would not be a problem since Mr. Davis had informed us that several thousand more dollars would be necessary before plans could be drawn up or a contract for the order could be signed. Now, Kodiak is saying we cannot get a refund because when we pressed the “Submit” button on the online program, we committed to purchasing the materials; obviously, we were not informed of this prior to using the “Submit” button. Mr. Davis and my husband were simply getting a number for the 19% to “hold the price.” My complaint is based on the fact that we (1) signed nothing; (2) were not informed about the “Submit” button; (3) must now pay more money to actually get plans and proceed with purchasing the materials, which means that no commitment to buy has been made. My husband made a written request for a refund on January 24th after several phone conversations with Mr. Davis and Mr. John House president of Kodiak Steel Homes. Mr. Davis was, at first, unsure of whether a refund was possible, and it wasn’t until my husband spoke with Mr. House that we knew there was a problem.