Deceptive company led by the example of Mark
It's not uncommon to run across unprofessional real estate or property management personnel when looking for apartments. There's the good, bad and the ugly, but when it comes to bottom of the barrel, deceptive scum, Mark takes the cake. Back in March, I expressed my interest in an apartment for my senior disabled mom. Applied for it with co-signers, went there to check it out. It was one of those lockbox viewings, so I never actually saw him. We communicated in texts. He said the apartment is ours and they will run our applications. Then he said he needs another co-signer so I had my brother co-sign that night. Next day, he said "apartment gone". Alright. So, he told me to stay tuned for other apartments if I'm interested and that he'll carry my application towards one I'm interested in. Showed me a studio in El Molino, and said it will be available in mid to late May. I said "that's the one. I'm not going to spend more time searching." I asked to make us priority, since we are already pre-applied and he said sure. Always assured me through April, once probed, that I don't have to worry. Meanwhile, I had my mom living in Airbnbs and then moved to Ramada Inn, while I was getting hit with bills. I had no reason, I thought, to doubt this guy with all the assurances. So on May 10th, I receive a text with a link to an apartment posting, and it caught me by surprise. I replied that I want the apartment ASAP, and Mark suddenly goes mute. No follow ups next day. So I go on the site, and schedule ASAP. When I'm there, I'm disappointed to see a couple there at the same time. They leave and another woman comes in. They happen to all be asian and I mention this because it warrants an investigation into whether they are giving preferences, but I'll settle for lack of conclusion on this. As soon as I see this, I send texts and make several calls. Another guy answers and tells me Mark is the one responsible and he can't make arrangements with me to get the apartment. Transfers me to Mark, and Mark is unresponsive, so I leave him a message. No callback. I call again and leave another message. He finally calls. The conversation went along these lines.
"Hello. Yes how can I help you?"
"We've been texting all along Mark, since March. I'm the guy who's been waiting for the apartment on El Molino. I want it. My mom has been in hotels"
"Sorry I don't recall. You know when you text it scatters to several people and it gets lost in communication. The apartment is being given to another woman who came in before. She is supposed to sign for the lease tomorrow morning"
"Are you serious Mark? I've been paying hefty bills, having my mom wait, while I took you guys for your word. You said I'm first in line for the apartment, then you post it for public and don't respond"
"You know, sorry, I'm very busy. I'll call you back later"
"Ok, so does that mean, you'll work on it and make exceptions, since I was kinda screwed on this?"
"I'll call you back"
Never to be heard back.