Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/11/2024

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I contacted Armstrong Steel on January 1, 2024. I spoke to ***** concerning a price on a 35 x 50 steel building. On approximately January 2 we received a verbal estimate of $45,879. He said that the door and window cutouts would be included in our price. The next day we were informed that he had been delayed in speaking to me because he had been in a meeting where it was discussed that could no longer honor that price we had been given. We told him we were no longer interested in the purchase. He said that he would speak to his sales manager and see what they could do. After speaking to his manager ****, they got it approved to be able to give us a rebate and free shipping to get us back to the price we had originally been quoted. In order to lock in the price, we would need to pay the $11,469.00 fee for the engineering payment. The price would only be good until January, 12. We paid the fee on January 12. On Monday, January 22 our project manager called for the first time. She informed me that we would need to secure our plan by February 11 in order to keep our price. We could not reach her by phone or email for an entire week. We were finally able to reach her and discuss modifications on the original size. To change to roof style would have been $19,000 more. We asked to price it for a 45'x50' building. It would be $7000 more plus the cut outs for the doors and windows. We told her that it was included and she informed us that it is never included. When asked how much it would be, she said $1000 per cut out. We were willing to pay the additional amount of $18,000 based on the possibility of a misunderstanding about the cut out fee and the additional money based on the larger size. However, on February 9 we were informed that the actual price difference would now be $73,039.41. When we questioned the difference we were told that we were crazy to think it would be the lesser price by ******* and by her boss who was supposedly the Director of Sales for Armstrong.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/23/2024

  The offer made by Armstrong is not satisfactory by any means. They are asking for us to either sign off on a purchase order that doesn't even list window cut outs and pay them $116,625.00 or release them of all liability and they keep the $11,469.00 deposit. Their representative suggested that we take the building as is and sell it like others have done in the same situation. That tells us that this is not a new situation to them but one they have dealt with many times in the past. On your site alone it shows that you have closed over 70 complaints about them.

  The Confidential Release and Waiver form instructs us to withdraw our complaint from the BBB; to keep it a secret from the BBB and all social media. It also states that we are guided by counsel but' it's their counsel not anyone representing our best interests. This is not a resolution, and it releases Armstrong of all liability. Armstrong needs to be stopped. They are a corrupt business taking advantage of their customers. Their rating is misleading future customers that assume when you see a good rating, that they can trust the business is reputable and honest. 

  I have attached both forms for your review.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/29/2024

  Please see the attached response. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/29/2024

  We signed the agreement after being misled and pressured by their salespeople to sign and pay by the first deadline. This was presented as the only way to secure the quoted price. Subsequently, we were informed of another deadline to secure the price, but only after waiting for a week to hear from the project manager. We went along with this second deadline because regrettably, we continued to trust the information provided by Armstrong's representatives.

  We were under the impression that *****, our salesperson, had assured us that door and window openings were included in the price, based on our previous conversations. However, when informed of our mistake, we did not dispute it and were willing to pay the additional amount, relying on the $1000 per opening quote given by our project manager, an Armstrong employee.

  We relied on the experts to give us the information needed for our complete project.  We are not involved in the business of construction, let alone steel buildings. How are we expected to know the specifications of an atypical window size or the necessary support? If our project manager had disclosed the potential need for additional structural changes when we inquired about the cost, we could have saved a significant amount of time and money on architectural plans. It was clear to everyone we communicated with that our project was a home, not merely a steel building. The windows and doors provided by Armstrong are intended for commercial projects, not typical residential structures. Our project manager should have provided more information rather than assuming we were already knowledgeable about every aspect. If we possessed all the answers, the role of a project manager would be redundant.

  Furthermore, we did not request gutters or downspouts. This was an add-on solely to inflate our price. We had expressed plans for a wraparound porch to be added at a later date to both ***** and to *******, the project manager.

  Multiple Armstrong employees have indicated that they are willing to sell us the original building, but it will not meet code requirements. Accepting such an offer is unreasonable. Armstrong must improve its practices. We believe a refund is warranted due to being misled, provided with false information, and overcharged. If Armstrong considers this level of service to be the "highest degree possible," a reassessment is in order.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/08/2024

  This case should not be closed. We responded on February 29 to the last communication which we received on February 29 concerning the resolution provided by Armstrong. We are currently waiting on a response from Armstrong.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/14/2024

  Please see the attached response.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/17/2024

   
  Complaint: 21278438
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  We feel compelled to reiterate the circumstances surrounding our agreement with Armstrong. We were placed under undue pressure with a fabricated deadline and subjected to misinformation and deceit by Armstrong representatives. Trusting their assurances, we proceeded, believing we had found a pathway to realize our dream home. It's disheartening to encounter a company whose representatives are so at ease with disseminating inaccurate information to customers.
  
  Our decisions were based on these false premises, leaving us misinformed and ultimately misled. To assert that we'll only incur overcharges if we pay them is preposterous. It's evident that accountability is not a priority for your company, given the initial offer that protects your interests while neglecting to address the grievances of your customer.
  
  In light of these circumstances, we propose a counteroffer:  As per your ***** Confidential General Release and Waiver ********, we are willing to maintain confidentiality regarding your business practices, refraining from making derogatory remarks on social media and/or to the press, and closing our complaint with the BBB. However, we request a refund of $5734.50 which is 50% of our deposit. It's important to note that the company has incurred no losses in this matter. This gesture would be the least Armstrong could do to accommodate a disappointed customer.
  
  We hope this proposal reflects our desire for an amicable resolution while acknowledging the need for accountability and fairness.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* And ***************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/29/2024

  Please see the attached response.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/03/2024

   
  Complaint: 21278438
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  On Friday March 29th, we spoke with ******* from Armstrong's Conflict Resolutions team. He was the best sounding representative that we had dealt with in our entire time dealing with Armstrong. He was very understanding and caused us to reconsider our purchase. ******* apologized for the way we were handled by the representatives of his company. He said that they had been reprimanded and advised on how it should have been handled. In light of our situation, he said that he would make an offer to complete our building at his cost which is $25,502.24. He removed gutters and offered to adjust the plan in order to save us more money. We asked for time to consider the whole situation. He said that he understood and agreed to speak to us the following week. He told us that he would respond to the BBB telling them that we were in communication and trying to resolve our issues. 

  On Monday April 1, we contacted *******. We advised him that after careful consideration we would have to decline his offer. He said that he understood that we had lost trust with the company. He offered again to be our sole contact and be there for us for the duration of the project. We responded that he was correct in saying the loss of trust. We just don't have confidence in Armstrong. We asked to get our deposit back. We also offered to sign paperwork agreeing to not post any negative comments on social media. He asked to give him a few days and he would get back with us. 

  On Wednesday April 3, we were contacted by *******************. He left a message saying that he was told that we are working with *******, and we were trying to continue and complete the building. (**** had reached out to us previously with the first offer.)

  We returned the call. He claims that he was notified by ******* today, April 3, that we were planning on continuing the project and completing the building. We told him that we had spoken to ******* on March 29 and again on April 1. We told him that we had declined the offer and requested our deposit back. **** then informed us that not only would they keep our deposit but that we will now owe almost $1800 more for damages. We said that were no damages because no product had been ordered. He said that we paid for them to design, fabricate and deliver the building. But they had told us that nothing would be ordered until we sign off on the final design and pay an additional deposit to place the order. 
   
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* And ***************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/22/2024

  Please see the attached response.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/24/2024

   
  Complaint: 21278438
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  Armstrong has put forward several solutions that benefit their interests. Despite offering fair resolutions on our part, these have been disregarded by Armstrong in their response. While we agreed to let them retain the full deposit, we firmly reject their demand that we remove our BBB complaint and refrain from posting any negative comments about Armstrong. We stand resolute in our refusal to be silenced.                                            
  To seek a mutually beneficial solution, we propose a compromise: refunding half of the deposit. In return, we will withdraw our BBB complaint and abstain from sharing any negative feedback on social media. This proposal aims to address concerns from both parties and work towards a resolution. It's important to note that Armstrong has not incurred any losses as no product has been ordered.
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* And ***************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/09/2024

  Please see the attached response.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/09/2024

   
  Complaint: 21278438
  
  We are rejecting this response because: We had already offered Armstrong to keep 100% of the deposit. We refused to sign their resolution form that would silence us from voicing our opinions. However, after the last response we were motivated to do more research online. We now know that there are hundreds of people with stories just like us. People that were offered settlements and given refunds. It was all we asked. We even agreed to sign the gag order that was required by them. We now reserve the right to enter into litigation and to share our thoughts on social media and the news media. We are considering joining the class action lawsuit against Armstrong and contacting Denver ** This all could be put to rest by giving us the same offer that has been given to hundreds of others- give us our refund and we will sign your release form.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* And ***************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/10/2024

  Please look at the attached file. It will give the BBB a better understanding of the company you are working with. Please consider having their rating reflect their awful business practices. 

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/20/2024

  Please see the attached response.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/29/2024

  This is a sample of other Armstrong Steel customers complaints. Please review these to see that this is not a one off situation. It's standard practice in their business to deceive their customers and keep their money. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/29/2024

  These are additional customer complaints. More can be found on Yelp. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/30/2024

   
  Complaint: 21278438
  
  I am rejecting this response because: Armstrong cannot just close our file and dismiss us. We do not agree with their decision. There have been multiple complaints that are almost word for word like ours. The numbers and the names are different but what is described is the same story. The misleading closing technique, pressuring you to sign now so you get the discount. The illusion of doors and windows being included but you don't know they're not until you get a project manager. The huge increase in the price hidden from you until it's time to sign off on the building. How can they be in business? How can they be allowed to take advantage of honest people just trying to get what they paid for? The complaints are not just from Yelp. They are also on the BBB website under ******** Steel. 

  We continue to request half of our deposit back and we will sign a release. The other solution is to keep our deposit. We will make our story known through social media, news media and online. We have been silent thus far, only sharing our story with the BBB. 
  
  Sincerely,. 
  
  ******* And ***************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/16/2024

  Please see the attached response.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/23/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Enclosed please find my letter I erroneously mailed to the “******** ****** ******** ****** ******** ** *********** ***.  I wondered why I never received a response.
  
  Since filing complaints in November 2023, I have joined the private Facebook “Armstrong Steel Buildings Victim group” which, as of this morning, has 165 members.  When I filed my complaint with Nevada State Attorney General Ford, the FBI, the IRS, and the FTC, Denver 7’s ****** ***** had not yet aired her December 2023 reports.
  
  **************************************************************************************************************************************
  
  ******************************************************************************************************************************
  
  In addition, the complaints filed in December had not yet posted.  I have since added them to the 207 color-coded, numbered, and dated and hyperlinked complaints which I uploaded to my ****** Drive.
  
  **************************************************************************************************************************************
  
  ******************************************************************************************************************************************
  
  ***** (I hope I am spelling her name correctly) said you will send me an email and when I receive it, I will reply with the hyperlinks, so you do not have to type in the long URLS.  I uploaded the links to the Facebook Group so they can use my research in updating their own complaints share with their respective attorneys and government representatives.
  
  When I filed my complaints, I was so upset I forgot I had sent an email to a contractor named ***** ******.  *** ****** had spoken with me a few times and he sent me an estimate for building a wheelchair accessible barndominium like the one they had just built for a gentleman in Tennessee.  I blogged about my wish list and included a video I made from the slides *** ****** sent of the home his company, ****** had built.  I found out a few weeks later that **** ****** had decided to get out of the metal building business and concentrate on stick built homes.
  
  ********************************************************************************************************************************
  
  However, back in April 2023, ****** Construction had built a metal barndominium and because they are located in Crossville, and they had been recommended to me, I sent the email.  My realtor was **** ******** and her husband, ***** ***** was the one who had done all the leg work of filming the vacant lots I asked about and the ones I eventually purchased.  It was to these three individuals that I addressed my email the very next morning after placing a deposit for an Armstrong Steel 30 x 60 steel building.
  
  I am attaching the email, but I want to include the entire body of the text here.  I was so excited I could barely believe my good fortune.  That elation would soon turn into fear and eventually anger.
  
  *****, this will sound insane - it sounded crazy to me BUT after getting a call from **** at Armstrong Steel and getting an initial quote of over $54,000 for the bookstore/pool building, I spooked and told him I could not afford it.
  
  Well, he talked to his management and if I understand it all, they have a bid on a large project and they needed to order x amount of steel to come under budget.  To do that they need to find a couple of smaller projects so they can order all the material at once.
  
  I put down the deposit after they came so far down they were almost matching the ****** building quote for a 40 x 50 building.  See attached quote.  The ****** building did not include any windows nor doors.  It did include blueprints, however, for an interior.
  
  BECAUSE, I need to get a follow up in writing, I helped Armstrong out, the windows and doors are going to be included and I will be assigned a designer who will let me pick what I want and where I want it all.
  
  IT is POSSIBLE - not sure how probable, that my house sells for a lot more than my initial estimate.
  
  In that case, I can have the house your team is working on plus this one which will be for the bookstore/personal library with an area for the ****** ***** heated salt water pool, and exercise area for my *********** massage table cause I can no longer get on the floor and get back up easily - to be honest, I have a really awkward time getting up because of damage from a lumbar 5 operation.
  
  IF things go south - and a lot of pundits are predicting an economic meltdown, at least I have an 1800
  square foot home ready.
  
  Can you work up an estimate on insulating it, installing an steel building high end HVAC system and vents, the roll in shower we discussed with a nice large vanity but only ONE sink, a handicap accessible toilet, 3 bedrooms with walk-in closets, a second bath - nothing fancy, L shaped kitchen work area with a window over the sink, and any extras you think I can afford.
  
  I'm not positive, you can tell from the ****** estimate vs the Armstrong PDF, but I think ****** is a pole barn and not a full steel building so it would have a lot more screws, yes?  Both appear to be 115 mph windstorm resistant but **** at Armstrong insisted theirs is 100% Miami Dade certified.
  
  The closing hasn't been scheduled yet but it might be as early as April 14.  
  
  $53,500 for 4.3 acres
  $35,187 for a 30 x 60 (1,800 square foot) Armstrong Steel Building
  Total $88,687 for land and kit.
  
  I leave the rest of the costs up to ******.
  
  The best part about purchasing the building is once you clear the land and install the concrete, it can be erected in two - three days and then you could install a bathroom and insulation and HVAC and I could move in with my pets shortly after my house goes under contract - or sooner if I can afford it all.
  
  PS The first lot that I made an offer on the seller demanded full asking price of $89,900. it was partially cleared but after a lot of phone calls I learned it could never be serviced by fiber not copper.  Both ******** and ******** told me it was "out of footprint"  It was also on a rural road with a land locked lot behind it.  In my mind I just saved a BUNDLE!
  
  I also found an email I sent off to a local builder who is not a licensed contractor, but who was also someone I had been chatting with who also came highly recommended.  I had called him to ask him if he could erect the kit to save money.
  
  Here's the contract for a 30 X 60 STEEL building to be delivered.
  
  I didn't quite understand all of the pressure they were under but something about a huge order but it was short x amount and they were trying to find people willing to pre-order a building so they could get all the steel they need for a large project at a deep discount.
  
  They knocked off $20,000 from the original quote from yesterday.
  
  I put 25% down and they will be assigning a design engineer to me so I can have whatever doors and windows placed wherever I want, pick out colors, etc.
  
  Can you erect this without a General Contractor supervising?
  
  ****** will clear the land, etc for a house but this will be my bookstore and temporary residence while the house is being built assuming I don't just go SUPER cheap and order a larger one and live in it.
  
  I took a crap shoot and did it.  Compared to the ****** barndominium quotes, this sounded far superior.
  
  Like many of the others who filed complaints and lawsuits documenting deceptive sales practices and using the term “bait and switch”, I really thought I was getting a barndominium kit for under $40,000.  **** told me because I was HELPING THEM OUT before the 5 pm deadline, they would extend the deep discount to me for life so I could build on my second lot in the future!  Oh, yes.  And when I questioned him yes, I was getting a barndominium for $35,187!  I would get a catalog of items I could get at their cost.  They were even including FREE freight!  When I questioned **** about the kit, he said to ask all those questions when I got assigned personal project manager who would handle everything.
  
  I would like to point out my friend, ***** was in the truck at the time and heard the entire sales pitch.  Her father had been in construction and she thought it was a rare opportunity to get such a “deal”.
  
  I uploaded the documents Armstrong made me and I should use the word “coerced” me to sign to my ****** Drives so you can review everything.  NONE of the “fine print” was disclosed in advance.  I had read in the complaints about a cancelation fee and sure enough Armstrong will “let you” cancel but they want 50 percent of the total of the order – an order none of us knew we were being forced to purchase when first contacted.
  
  The last contact I had with anyone at Armstrong Steel was on October 12, 2023.  The company is refusing to return my “non-refundable” deposits made in two payments for a total of $39,817.  My case is no different than most of the 207 online complaints by customers.  A class action lawsuit was forced into arbitration and the members of the group who are part of the lawsuit have shared their documents.
  
  When Denver 7 contacted the Better Business Bureau the response was not helpful.  ***** ******, President/CEO of the BBB serving central South Carolina and Charleston’s response was also not helpful when he was contacted by the local NBC news team.  Hopefully, 60 Minutes and the Federal Trade Commission investigators will partner with the BBB to change the rating from A+ to F and then to work with the FBI and IRS to prosecute Armstrong Steel to the fullest.
  
  My immediate goal is for Armstrong to return my money and to state in writing that the “contract” they made me sign is now null and void.  I doubt they will admit to fraud, but the contract is not valid because it was based on a fraudulent sales pitch.
  
  Although at the time I felt that ****** *******, the assigned project manager, was very sweet and very compassionate, as I review those phone conversations I remember how she asked if I had placed my house on the market yet and when would I be able to pay the balance.  Please contact everyone who has filed a complaint or negative review the BBB.  I coded all the text searching specifically for those written by or for seniors.  There is a technique used by those who exploit the elderly.  There is a tone you hear in nursing homes and hospitals to coax an elderly person into complying with a request.  That same tone is used to manipulate a person into signing documents by triggering a fear response that if they do not comply, they will be in “breach of contract” and be sued.
  
  I had several panic attacks which my friends can all attest to.  It was not until **** ***** and his father who is a contractor called me and told me Armstrong was going to bankrupt me if I continued to agree to purchase their kit that I snapped out of the fear and wrote this letter to Armstrong’s CEO dated October 8.
  
  **************************************************************************************************************************************
  
  My letters to the state attorney generals, the FBI, the IRS, the FTC, and Senator Blackburn and 60 Minutes are all on my ****** Drive and I have shared them with the Facebook group.
  
  I hope you can reach out to those of us in the group because like I said, many have become despondent, and many have written that they have been tied up in litigation for years – one told me for over seven!
  
  Thank you in advance,
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  ******* **** ********
  
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/06/2024

  Please see the attached response.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/06/2024

  Complaint: 21187080

  I am rejecting this response because of the high pressure sales call in which ****** ******* told me I had to rush home to sign the contract in order for Armstrong to bid on a large project.
  

  That was not true.  There was no large project.  I was not being given the cost of the steel at the same price Armstrong was paying.  I was not doing them a favor and as a thank you would

  be getting a life time discount.  There was no need to sign that day.

  Armstrong is a middle man despite the false advertising on their website.

  I was not given time to read any of the fine print.  I was then pressured to sign the next document and to place another deposit down.
  ****** called more than once to ask how long it would take for me to get home so we could get this signed immediately.  There was no due diligence period allowed.
  I was not even given the chance to read the contract.  I never received a copy for a lawyer to read. Everything was online.
  
  Armstrong provides the worst customer service of almost any business every listed with the BBB and that is documented in the over 215 complaints across the Internet.
  Complaints by Site:
  
  46 BBB Complaints
  
  10 BBB Reviews
  
  10 Consumer Affairs Complaints
  
  11 Dirty Scam Complaints
  
  56 ****** Reviews
  
  16 Pissed Consumer Reviews
  
  11 SiteJabber Reviews
  
  20 Trust Pilot Reviews
  
  14 YELP Reviews
  
  18 ComplaintsBoard.com
  
  1 JUST ANSWER post
  
  1 Ripoff Report which Armstrong claims is fake despite it matching my experience
  
  The Class Action Lawsuit which was stayed, not dismissed was hidden.  When I complained on the phone, I was told there was no class action lawsuit.
  The fact that Armstrong has been sued repeatedly was not disclosed.  There are 170 victims who have come forward and are sharing their stories with one another and there are others who are not active on Facebook, or who have bullied into silence. 
  Many have been threatened or bribed. 
  The letter Armstrong mailed to customers asking them to take down their complaints or lie and say the media misrepresented themselves only adds to the counter argument that Armstrong does NOT provide great customer service, nor do they honor their end of the contract. 
  
  Disclosing price increases and providing refunds if the price has gone up too high for a reasonable person on a reasonable budget to continue is standard practice. 
  
  Anything which violates such long-held expectations in business transactions is simply criminal.
  And it is that criminal activity which I address here and those in the class action lawsuit along with others who have filed lawsuits demand that BBB investigate.
  The fear amongst the group, the number who have committed suicide or suffered divorces or gotten so sick they died, negates the response claiming that all of the burden is upon the buyer violates all standard business practices.
  I was taken advantage of.  I was excited about purchasing the land and getting a barndominium for $35,817 with windows and doors.
  By the time I found out that the windows and doors were NOT included, I discovered that I could not cancel the order and get my deposit back.
  I kept asking for the catalog of residential doors and windows I had been led to believe by ****** was available.
  I was NOT, I repeat NOT given answers by ****** ******* during the design process as to the cost I was incurring.
  I was told instead that ****** had to enter all the design features and no worries.  As the deadline loomed for me to sign the next set of documents,
  I then learned the $35,187 price tag had jumped astronomically.  I only made the deposit in fear because by that time I had read the terms and agreements with a friend.
  The fact that Armstrong feels that all of the other customers who have posted complaints and shared their stories are not relevant to my purchase is ludicrous as it demonstrates a complete lack of understanding how customers enter into contracts.
  I must stress the word FEAR over and over and over again as it was used by myself when I was hysterically telling my friends that I was conned into making a huge deposit and that the barndominium was not going to cost $35,187 plus a few extras such as insulation,
  BUT, instead was going to cost over $100,000 - monies I did not have.
  Again, the fact that ****** ******* pressured me to quickly sign prevented me from any chance to have my property go to closing, then be cleared.  I had no opportunity to hire a site engineer.  In fact, and this is a point Armstrong has failed to admit they did to everyone, I was promised Armstrong had local contractors and I had NO WORRIES.
  I have had nothing but worries since April.
  Armstrong also omitted the fact that no matter how one-sided and air tight a contract might be with no reasonable accommodations for customers, but only punitive damages and an unwavering lack of compassion and understanding for customers who have asked for dates to be changed, etc., all contracts in all countries have an implied consent on the part of both parties that if one has a reasonable excuse as to why that party cannot proceed that the contract is cancelled and funds returned.
  I asked and was denied.  Others have asked and been denied.  Not because of land issues per se but because of the astronomical change in the total price of the purchase.
  The fact that the various victims have reached out to the FBI and the FTC and their respective state attorney generals, senators, congressional representatives and attorneys to seek relief from Armstrong's violations of RICO laws and deceptive sales practices is testament that yes, they did manipulate a vulnerable and, I hate to say, gullible 68 year old.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ********

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/13/2024

  Please see the attached response

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/14/2024

  
  
  Complaint: 21187080
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because Armstrong Steel's sales rep **** did NOT give me any time to review any documents whatsoever.
  I sent Armstrong the copies of the emails I sent to my realtors, and a contractor and a builder within 24 hours of placing the deposit documenting how excited I was to be getting a building at a deep discount with all the windows and doors.

  Armstrong did not respond.

  By the time ****** ******* drew up the next document to sign, again with a deadline, I felt duped.  I thought maybe I had misunderstood.
  I totally and thoroughly without question reject the response that the company did nothing wrong.  By trying to place the blame on the customer Armstrong is using a tactic only an unethical and truly evil company would do.
  Again, I repeat my stance that Armstrong had not revealed it was being sued by several customers and that a class action lawsuit was pending when I made my purchase.
  The elderly are particularly vulnerable to manipulation.  I was going through a lot of misfortune and even shared the shocks with ****** who did nothing but try to get me to continue signing documents.
  The complaints on file document how many customers received defective structures and incurred hidden fees and costs related to delivery which is one reason why I am dubious about Armstrong claiming it “remains willing to fulfill the agreement and move forward with fabrication and delivery under the terms of the original agreement”.  They copy and paste that sentence to every irate customer.  There is no awareness on the part of the CEO and his staff that his customers feel that the “original agreement” was signed because each of us believed the deceptive sales pitch.
  
  If Armstrong wants to eliminate all of the extras I thought I was getting at a reasonable cost and deliver a 30 x 60 shed for the original $35,187 with free freight, and no hidden fees, applying my extra funds i sent towards the sales tax **** never mentioned with a two car garage door opening, with a green roof and white walls, I might be able to use it as a shed, assuming I can find anyone to erect it and assuming it can be erected on footings on an 8 percent slope.
  Again, I want to make it as perfectly clear as possible to the legal counsel at Armstrong that I was lied to.
  I found my Facebook post that I typed only an hour after I signed the initial documents.
  This is a clear case of consumer fraud and failure on the part of the CEO, ***** *******, to communicate directly with customers and to make sure nothing is misrepresented.
  This was posted on April 4, 2023.
  ********************************************************************************************************************************************
  Tuesday, April 4, 2023
  OMG I am in SHOCK! I got an estimate from Armstrong Steel and because they need to purchase x amount of steel - very confusing, they were able to write up a proposal for a 30 x 60 foot all steel building that meets Miami Dade windstorm requirements (hurricane resistant) at a DEEP discount if I could order this week.
  Just put down 25%. Free delivery plus it can be erected in two days (Yo, ** ******!!!) don't need a general contractor just need someone to pour concrete, etc.
  They are 6 months out so by ordering early I can have any color I want and as many windows and doors as I want.
  1800 square foot building for my books, crafts, and the FitMax Pool.
  I can then have a normal 3 bedroom house or the barndominium I found that ****** is working up the quote on.
  I can, theoretically, move into the structure cause I can have a bathroom installed, and let the realtor show my house vacant - just leave the piano and appliances and the bookcases for the moving van.
  Private message me for the cost. I'm in shock. The ****** kit for a 24 x 36 with just a door for a POLE barn (barndominium) not a steel - was $14,597 but the doors were NOT included and no windows.
  THIS I can have designed anyway I want because I pre-ordered it.
  The quote for the 40 x 50 shell for the house barndominium was $34,791
  So 1800 square feet STEEL vs 2000 square foot pole barn materials = a whopping $216 more
  The ****** had NO doors or windows.
  This will be CUSTOM designed FOR ME and I get assigned to an architect!
  MY GOD what an amazing day!
  ======
  I had my friend in my truck with me at the time.  With all of the packing and handling resulting from my late husband's suicide and trying to get my finances straightened out, I was not prepared to emotionally process the fact that **** had lied to me.  ****** was very sweet which threw me off that I was dealing with a scam.  After talking to over a dozen other irate customers and interacting with 169 others, I learned that Armstrong Steel capitalizes on the average customer's self-recrimination for being scammed.  Each person reacts first with shock and then rage and some reacted by retreating into despondency.  Many of the victims have embraced a victim mentality.  Having been brutalized and threatened with murder by my late husband, I was easily manipulated.  I am not so gullible now.
  A company's reputation is really all it has.  To continue to scam and mistreat customers because Armstrong is located in Colorado with the weakest consumer protection laws will not last forever.
  To make things right, Armstrong needs to HONESTLY respond and not deflect and copy and paste the same attacks on customers it has been using since it was first incorporated in Delaware.  I also recommend that Armstrong return the over $2,450,000 in deposits documented by the lawyers who filed the class action lawsuit.  Only eighty five customers provided amounts lost.  Only the IRS will ever be able to determine the entire amount Armstrong has refused to refund when asked when they conduct a forensic audit.
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ********
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/29/2024

  Please see the attached response.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/29/2024

  
  
  Complaint: 21187080
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because Armstrong Steel has failed to address the evidence presented of consumer fraud. 
  If they sincerely wish to respond, I'd like to see them pull up the recordings from when ****** the salesman made false promises about how I was getting 
  a 30 x 60 steel barndominium with all the windows and doors.  What the company has written is that they want me to go back to the drawing board.

  I wrote that I wanted the original 30 x 60 with the windows and doors for $35,187.  I was promised free freight.  I'd like to see them disclose shipping and handling fees
  and calculate Tennessee sales tax.  However, they are not acknowledging nor addressing all of the concerns I detailed in each of my letters.

  As others have complained online and in court, Armstrong Steel cannot be trusted.  I'd like to see a little bit more effort put into them rectifying the financial and emotional harm they have
  imposed on its customers and on me, before I even consider calling and getting sucked into yet another entanglement.  

  A sincere attempt at providing "outstanding customer service" using the Better Business Bureau as a mediator is not just expected, but demanded.  Once a company or an individual betrays
  trust, it take a lot more than "please call us" to ever gain that trust back.

  Plus, the CAD drawings were rejected by the Cumberland County Building Code officer.  I suggest Armstrong go line by line through all the narratives I have sent.

  Go through the database of complaints compiled from all the "review" websites and not deflect and not try to threaten nor sue customers for going public.

  Sincerely,
  

  
  
  
  ******* ********

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/13/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We talked to Armstrong Steel end of 2023 about have a shed built. We were told they could build one for around $38,000. We signed a contract for blueprints to get the project started and paid them around $7000. We were then told we would not owe anything more until delivery. We then received an email about add-ons to the shed costing around $25000 that we had to pay right then. We were not aware it would cost that much and no final cost breakdown was ever included. We asked several times for a cost breakdown and proof of purchase which was never given until we received a contract to sign for delivery. The proof of purchase then showed it would cost over $98,000 for the shed. We did not sign it and reached out to Armstrong Steel to let them know that was way too much for us and we could not afford that. We were then told it would cost an additional $15000 to back out of... that number was decided in a meeting between themselves. We told them we believe that to be unfair since we were never told of the final potential cost up front before we had to sign contracts to even get the project started. If we didn't sign the contracts they said they could not move forward. We believe was/is deceptive business practices. The final cost of the project was hidden from us until we had already signed other contracts. They had also told us though that the building would not be started until we signed the delivery contract which we never did so we do not agree that we should have to pay an additional $15000 dollars to cancel on top of the $38000 we already paid. We understand they provided the blueprints for us already that cost around $7000 and do not expect that money back. We believe though that due to their deceptive business practices we should be about to get out of the contract and get our $25000 back with no additional cancellation costs.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/30/2024

  Please see the attached response.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/02/2024

   
  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.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/11/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Gave Armstrong full 3d drawings of the building I wanted. Worked with salesman, got a quote on what I assumed was a building with openings, not doors and windows of course. Was given drawings to review, was told by salesmen I could make final modifications with project manager. Come to find out, the drawings assumed no way to enter the building, but was told by salesmen no problem. Quoted for $36k, sent $9k deposit, building with the same number of openings I requested is now over $13k more. They really have it down well to ensure confusion, lie about cost of building and won't provide refund of deposit.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/06/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  From: ***************************** <*****************************************>Date: Oct 3, 2023 at 8:38 AM To: ************* <*************************>Subject: Re: Arellanez "I apologise *****. It's been quite hectic. I did have the building run again and we cannot currently deliver the building at the original agreed upon contract price."Many, many emails just using stall tactics. Never performing with product or refund.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/22/2023

  Please see the attached response. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/30/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  July 28 *****, we entered an order for a steel building shop with Armstrong Steel. They offered a 30' x 50' building for $*********. We accepted the offer, and initially sent a down payment of $7,585.00 to start the process. Things seem to be going fine, until 8/17/2023 the production manager that was assigned to us emailed a change order to my Husband while I was at work. He went over the change order with the production manager, not fully understanding what it entailed. He signed the papers and did not let me know until that evening about it. What the change order was for the addition of gutters, downspouts, foam closures (things we did not want to begin with) and a change to the building codes for our area. He was under the impression that these changes added $6,500 dollars to the cost of the building, when it was actually adding $36,500.00. So, our building when from ********* to $66,448.71 overnight. My husband also signed an ACH for them to take $18,275.36 additional money out of our account. He felt pressured to sign the papers right away, instead of waiting for me to arrive home to go over them. This prompted me to dig further into Armstrong Steel, only to find out this is a common practice, and that there is a class action lawsuit against the company. Several customers have had the same experience, several never receiving their building, and others received their building, but where out of money by then and could not have it erected. Needless to say, I did not continue with Armstrong after learning of the lawsuit. I wish to receive our money back, but Armstrong Steel has put a clause in their contracts that money advanced is not refundable. I feel their tactics are unethical and dishonest.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/17/2023

  See attached response

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/20/2023

   
  Complaint: 20801830
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  Yes we did sign the contract paperwork,  the second set Armstrong sent was under pressure to lock in pricing, according to Armstrong.  My husband didn't realize that the price doubled overnight or that he authorized a $18,000 dollar payment. We did not realize the inflation of the price of the building until a couple weeks later when they sent us the amount we still owed. Expecting around $20,000, we were flabbergasted when Armstrong wanted over $45,000 more. Needless to say, this put us way over budget and could not afford the building. Since our building was not in production when we backed out, Armstrong didn't do $25,000 worth of work. This is a practice of theirs, to lure you in with an amazing deal, and then inflate the price claiming they had to change the  codes, and add ons we did not want. There are already several complaints already with BBB in regards to this company and their unethical practices. 
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/20/2023

  In response to Armstrongs letter stating that I requested changes that made my building heavier is a false statement.  They only went over these things with my husband, not me. They added the doors and windows, and gutters and got my husband to sign. when i had already said I did not want them. I had originally asked about pricing, no response.  We decided we didn't want them because of the price on the paperwork my husband signed, I asked for the components to be removed. Devians response was sorry, you already signed the paperwork.  As for Armstrongs claim that they are working with me on a resolution is a complete falsehood, as there has been no attempt by Armstrong to contact me or my husband since we decided not to proceed.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/05/2023

  Please see the attached response.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/07/2023

   
  Complaint: 20801830
  
  I am rejecting this response because: Armstrong continues to claim that I, ***********************, agreed to the components being added on.  This is not the case, my husband signed the papers without my knowledge, when he let me know about signing, I asked why he didn't wait for me to go over them first, he said he felt pressured to sign by the production manager, ******. When filling out the initial paperwork on the building, I did not know that saying we planned to hang drywall inside the shop would increase the weight of the building, or that having 2 walk through doors would also.  This was never discussed with us at any time.  We assumed that the questions asked were standard operation.  No where on the paperwork did is say that drywall would increase the price of the building.  When I asked ****** about the price increase, she said that they had to change the codes for our area and that warranted another beam to be added, she said nothing about weight, drywall, or doors.  I also verbally asked her to remove the components from the contract, and her response was "Sorry, you already signed the papers".  Yes, I did sign the shipping documents (9/5/2023), because at the time we did not want to lose the money we had already paid Armstrong but had a change of heart the next day.  I decided to research Armstrong further and became aware of several similar complaints with the Better Business Bureau of other customer's cost of their *********************** increased substantially.  Other complaints stated that Armstrong would say shipping and metal costs increasing as a reason for the price inflations, and in some cases wanted more money than agreed upon before shipping the building.  There is also a class action suit against Armstrong with customers claiming the same experiences.  I decided to cut ties with Armstrong and not continue to do business with them, because I would probably end up like other customers did.  With either pieces of a building piled in my yard, but because all my money went to Armstrong, not able to have it erected.  Or all my money gone and no building (this has happened to several of their customers). I sent an email stating this fact to the project manager, ****** and sales manager *********************** on the 6th of September. Stating that I would be contacting my lawyer to see about recovering our money.  Since Armstrong did not respond or contact me or my husband since then, we assumed they honored our wishes to not continue.  As of this response, Armstrong made no attempts whatsoever to contact us or try to resolve the matter.  Only, today (12/7/2023) did I receive a request to sign even more shipping papers from Armstrong, which I refused to do.  

  Armstrong Steel is not interested in providing their customers with quality buildings at reasonable prices.  Their real intent is to price ***** their customers and get as much money as they can.  I have talked to other companies that provide the same product, and they don't hide behind a non-refundable clause to steal consumers money. The endless negative complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau is proof that my complaint is valid and true.

  Sincerely,

  ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/24/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We had been working with a representative for almost 2 months, and finally made the commitment and paying the deposit of ***** for a 30x50 building with an engineer for the purchase price. We met with project manager, and placed our window and door openings. With these doors and windows openings, the price went from 31k to 90k. We asked for a refund because we were mislead, and the manager said we would absolutely not get our money back. This company misled us from day one. I have read other reviews on BBB, and the exact same thing is happening to other clients.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/10/2023

  Please see the attached response. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/10/2023

  I have and still continue to email trying to communicate. No further communication attempts have been made from Armstrong Steel. I have called and left voicemails as well. Misrepresentation was from the beginning, stating we could design the building how we wanted with the initial deposit. This is very unethical to mislead customers. 

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/08/2023

  Please see the attached response.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/29/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Paid $10k as a down-payment for a steel building. Covid hit and they said they couldn't get the steel and they were at least a year out. Whenever we called they claimed prices soared and our locked in price was now 3 to 5 times the previous amount. We asked for our money back, but they we signed a "contract" and couldn't get a refund. How is this legal? The contract was not legally binding and signed by a notary or lawyer. I request a refund!

  

  Business Response

  Date: 09/15/2023

  Please see the attached response. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/05/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Dates and dollars are approximate, exact dates can be furnished.June 2021 Purchase a Steel Building ($40k)Deposit approx. $16k Company says 3-5 Months to get drawings and they will be ready for the manufacture/fabrication of building.June 2022 Armstrong (Company) says they have my drawings and are ready to manufacture the building.Oct 2022 Submit a color change on the building and sign paperwork. Company says expect 4-8 weeks to take delivery and pay remaining balance.They never contact me.June 2023 I call the company after unanswered emails on their part and ask what is going on. A representative calls me a few hours later and says because of the rising p**** of steel the building will be an additional $30k, and I can pay it and get the building or cancel and they keep my deposit for admin costs.I do not mind paying more as the cost of steel goes up, but they didnt contact me for delivery and now the cost for the building has nearly doubled. Had they stuck to their timelines I would have had the building within 6 months of ordering and not 2 years.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/16/2023

  June 16, 2023
  This is a response to the BBB complaint submitted by our customer, ***** ****. On May
  28, 2021, Mr. **** signed a Steel Building Purchase Order for a 40x60x16 pre-engineered metal
  building. Mr. **** signed the Purchase Order and initialed the Purchase Order to acknowledge
  that he had reviewed and, after review, agreed to the terms and conditions.
  When signing the purchase order Mr. **** agreed that the initial contract payment is
  non-refundable and for the preparation of building drawings and/or preliminary work on his
  project. Any delivery dates stated by Armstrong shall be estimates only, may be subject to
  change without notice, and are based, among other things, on manufacturing and delivery
  schedules.
  The past 24 months have been very difficult for all industries. Fuel prices, a global labor
  crisis, steel shortages, inflation; these issues have all affected material pricing and availability.
  Lumber, vegetables, beef, automobiles; everything has been affected. All goods have
  dramatically increased.
  For much of the past year, the steel industry has suffered due to restrictive steel
  allocations and severely reduced supply. Due to COVID and now the Russia Ukraine conflict,
  steel demand has far exceeded supply for most of 2021 and all of 2022. This has caused the price
  for hot-rolled steel to quadruple from less than $500/ton to a peak of $2,000/ton.
  Traditionally, sourcing/ordering materials has not been an issue for the steel industry.
  Therefore, Armstrong would purchase raw materials and manufacture one’s building shortly
  after engineering it.
  It is important for Armstrong not to engineer a building before materials are available to
  be manufactured, because there is a risk of the customer’s county adopting a newer building
  code. For example, much of Utah has adopted International Building Code 2018. However, IBC
  2021 is the more recent, more updated code. Jurisdictions often update without warning. When
  your local jurisdiction updates it’s IBC codes, permit drawings and/or engineer wet stamped
  blueprints are no longer valid, in turn requiring the building to be re-engineered, at additional
  time and expense to the customer.
  Our customers don’t want to pay for engineering twice, we don’t want to charge folks
  for engineering twice and thus it simply makes sense to engineer the building shortly before
  fabrication.
  Given these circumstances, Armstrong has unfortunately been required to engineer
  customer’s buildings as their materials come available. Armstrong has therefore been required
  to absorb and pass along some part of these increased costs to its customers.
  Mr. **** received his engineered drawings on July 1, 2022 along with a scheduling
  packet to release his building into fabrication. Mr. **** did not return his scheduling packet
  until October 10, 2022, three months later with a design change. This delay set him back in the
  schedule.
  Everyone at Armstrong is working diligently to improve the situation and we are doing
  our best to manage this on a level of personalized commitment – from the factory to our
  corporate office, everyone in our organization is fighting to get every single building out to
  every single customer

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/17/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  My delay in returning documents was to make sure I could secure funding for a building that I had all but nearly forgotten. The design change was not and addition or modification in material, but a simple color change from white to gray. I dont expect a full refund, but to say that their costs were $16k to develop drawings is ridiculous. Armstrong failed to communicate with me any additional time because of a color change and have only resumed communication after I reached out to them 8 months after submitting the last document.
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/02/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I ordered a building package from Armstrong Steel in aug 2021. Prior to sending them my deposit I was met with many promises including; a timely delivery, free delivery if ordered that same week and many others. Once I transferred the deposit and signed the contract I was completely ignored. I made numerous call and sent several emails over the following months with no response. Finally I asked for the sales person I spoke with in the beginning and was informed he was no longer with the company. I asked for someone who could help me and was transferred so someone who claimed to be the ceo of the company. I explained my frustration and told him they were past my initial estimated delivery date. He began yelling over the phone telling me I could wait like everyone else and that if I didnt understand the problem that our administration and placed our country in he could do nothing for me. He told me that they had not even started on my project so I asked for a refund which he refused. I was finally emailed the engineered drawings for the project in Aug ************************************************************************************** a delivery date. So I asked if the building price was still the same as reflected on my contract and was informed the price on my contract was only an estimate and I would be given the bill when they were ready to deliver. I asked for the ceo and told him I needed to know my exact price. He refused to give me a price only saying I would be sent a bill when the building was ready and expected to pay in full before the building shipped. This caused several concerns as they already have customers complaint that their price was raised as much as 150%. They also sent me another contract that they wanted me to sign before they would begin production of the building subjecting me to a daily fine if I didnt pay promptly was the project was ready to ship. I felt that was extremely unreasonable as they had failed on every front up to this point. I refused to sign the contract and they informed me they would push my project off until I did sign

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/16/2023

  June 16, 2023
  This is a response to the BBB complaint submitted by our customer, ***** **********.
  On July 30, 2021, Mr. ********** signed a Steel Building Purchase Order for a 40x60x14
  pre-engineered metal building. Mr. ********** signed the Purchase Order and initialed the
  Purchase Order to acknowledge that he had reviewed and, after review, agreed to the terms and
  conditions.
  When signing the purchase order Mr. ********** agreed that the initial contract
  payment is non-refundable and for the preparation of building drawings and/or preliminary
  work on his project. Any delivery dates stated by Armstrong shall be estimates only, may be
  subject to change without notice, and are based, among other things, on manufacturing and
  delivery schedules.
  The past 24 months have been very difficult for all industries. Fuel prices, a global labor
  crisis, steel shortages, inflation; these issues have all affected material pricing and availability.
  Lumber, vegetables, beef, automobiles; everything has been affected. All goods have
  dramatically increased.
  For much of the past year, the steel industry has suffered due to restrictive steel
  allocations and severely reduced supply. Due to COVID and now the Russia Ukraine conflict,
  steel demand has far exceeded supply for most of 2021 and all of 2022. This has caused the price
  for hot-rolled steel to quadruple from less than $500/ton to a peak of $2,000/ton.
  Traditionally, sourcing/ordering materials has not been an issue for the steel industry.
  Therefore, Armstrong would purchase raw materials and manufacture one’s building shortly
  after engineering it.
  It is important for Armstrong not to engineer a building before materials are available to
  be manufactured, because there is a risk of the customer’s county adopting a newer building
  code. For example, much of Utah has adopted International Building Code 2018. However, IBC
  2021 is the more recent, more updated code. Jurisdictions often update without warning. When
  your local jurisdiction updates it’s IBC codes, permit drawings and/or engineer wet stamped
  blueprints are no longer valid, in turn requiring the building to be re-engineered, at additional
  time and expense to the customer.
  Our customers don’t want to pay for engineering twice, we don’t want to charge folks
  for engineering twice and thus it simply makes sense to engineer the building shortly before
  fabrication.
  Given these circumstances, Armstrong has unfortunately been required to engineer
  customer’s buildings as their materials come available. Armstrong has therefore been required
  to absorb and pass along some part of these increased costs to its customers.
  Mr. ********** was not ignored as he states, his project manager was in constant
  communication with him during his final design timeframe. He was also sent several emails
  with the process moving forward.
  Mr. ********** received his engineered drawings on August 23, 2022. Mr. **********
  needs to return his scheduling documents so Armstrong can keep his project moving forward.
  Armstrong tried to work with Mr. ********** to get him a delivery date but he refused
  to sign the scheduling documents we sent to authorize the fabrication of his building.
  Customers that do not return scheduling packets cannot be put into our fabrication schedule or
  delivery schedule. This is a part of the process for every building we produce. Armstrong
  remains willing to work on Mr. **********’s project.
  Everyone at Armstrong is working diligently to improve the situation and we are doing
  our best to manage this on a level of personalized commitment – from the factory to our
  corporate office, everyone in our organization is fighting to get every single building out to
  every single customer