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:12/05/2023

  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.

  Aloha Tiny Hales, *************************** sold us a container home cottage promised in 90-days. He failed to provide the product promised, he failed to conduct work on in a safe and professional manner, he failed to use a licensed electrician for the install of electric systems, he failed to supervise work crew and allowed in appropriate activities and poor work quality resulting in a fire that totaled the cottage and contents. He promised a to make it right to pay for the damaged items and refund in full the money we paid. He has refused to provide a refund and to pay for the damaged items. He took/stole our money and gave us nothing but heartache and pain. we bought the container home because he promised it would be delivered and ready in 90-days this was important as my Son-in-law had cancer it was to be a home for my daughter and Son-in-law of their own, my Son-ln-law passed away waiting for the home that was never completed and nearly burned our main home. He misled us, he didn't deliver what was promised or what we paid for,

  Business Response

  Date: 12/06/2023

  I am so sorry for your loss. It saddens me that u had this happen to your family. 

  I have attached proof that you were paid out by your insurance company. You admit that state farm paid for the loss. 

  The home was delivered and set up as per the contract you paid in full therefore in the *************** you owned it out right. 

  The battery was faulty and that is not my fault. Nothing more to say.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/06/2023

   
  Complaint: 20964317
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  ********************** confirmed he would provide us a refund, text attached. I didn't provide what he sold ** to us, the container home was never completed, he was not done working on it and had not turned it over to us. He was still responsible for it. 

  He sent text this morning saying "I am not sure what u think that bbb compliant wis going to accomplish. Hope you feel better" then went on to say it wasn't his fault it was the product (which he provided and installed), he didn't supply to us a finished product it burned before it was complete. He brought a replacement container home at one point and then took it back because it was not what we ordered, so we just asked for a refund which he said we would receive. He said he was going to make it right and he can make it right by refunding us. 

  I don't want him to do this to anyone else. The heartbreak and frustration over this has been and is overwhelming we wish he would refund us so we could move on and I would like to never have to talk with him again. if he would do what he said we could all move on with our lives. 

  If you need photos and or additional information, please let me know and I will provide it. 

  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

  Business Response

  Date: 12/16/2023

  I said I would help with the insurance claim any way I could. That is why I have insurance. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/19/2023

   
  Complaint: 20964317
  
  I am rejecting this response because: *************************** said he would make it right. Attached is text from **** telling me to purchase replacements for items damaged in the fire to the Container Home he was constructing, and "he" would pay us back as well as text from him saying he was going to do a claim on his insurance so he could refund us. He asked later that I provide him photos of the *********. to help his insurance claim. We offered to allow him to make a payment plan so he could reimburse us over time. We repeated said he was going to make it right we trusted him. He brought a different replacement container home, but it did not have the floor plan we ordered so he took it back and said he was ordering a replacement that would have the floor plan we ordered it never came. Bottom-line he said he would return our money he did not. he said he would make it right he has not, that is all we want for him to make it right by refunding us. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

  Business Response

  Date: 01/05/2024

  Hi I have done all I can I built the house there always an accident and the insurance has paid for the accident I have no way of recouping the expense to rebuild another home. **** received the money to build another home or just keep the money and not rebuild home

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/09/2024

   
  Complaint: 20964317
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 

  ********************** received full payment for the 20x20 expandable tiny home and add on items including 1x solar system 16 panels, battery banks, out back flex one system, central AC, installation set up and leveling, exterior siding and frame roof, 2x include wind turbines and a tankless hot water heater. 

  The expandable home was in the processes of being installed on our property and ************************** crew was still completing the build out and installation of the products he sold to us. The work was not complete. I understand and appreciate that he says the fire which occurred within 24 hours of his crew connecting the electrical and solar systems they were working on was an accident. But he was the seller/contractor and still in the process of building and completing the unit. As the seller and contractor an accident on the job is still his responsibility. He had not turned the home over to us, it was in and under his control and still a work in progress. The solar panels and batteries were attached to the container home and when connected by his crew to the container home electrical a fire occurred. 

  After **** ********* filed his insurance claim and told his insurance company he had completed all work, and it was in good order. They denied the claim because he told them he finished and had turned the completed home over to us which was not true. I have messages from him about the work still being done and yet to be completed confirming it was incomplete. If he had been honest and said the fire occurred while work was in progress it is likely they would have covered it. He told them it was done so they would cover the full amount so he would not have to refund us out of his pocket, and it backfired on him. He didn't want to refund us anything so he tried to get his insurance to pay out the full amount. 

  In December after the fire ********************** delivered a replacement container home but after confirming it was not the same layout as the one, we had ordered he took it back and told us he was ordering a correct replacement. He also said he had changed how he did the battery installations after the accident with ours to make it better. He did not replace the container home as he said he would and then didn't refund us after he said he would. The fact that he provided a replacement shows he knew he was responsible. 

  The Air conditioning was not installed price on invoice $7500.00, the exterior siding was not installed and frame roof not completed $16,500.00 on invoice (also after the fire he took what was on our property the solar panels, roof parts, and other items saying he was going to "use" them), the wind turbines were never installed price on invoice $2500.00 these items per the invoice $26,500.00 - these need to be refunded to us. 

  We did file with our homeowner's insurance after ********************** said he was not going to refund us since his insurance denied the claim and that since the unit was on our property it might be covered. We received 50% of the total cost of the expandable container home from our insurance company. We did not receive reimbursement for the items ********************** didn't complete or for the full cost of the loss. We are still owed a refund for the items and work not completed and the refund or replacement as promised. When or if that happens, we would be returning the payment made by our insurance company to them since they have indicated due to this claim they will be cancelling our homeowner's policy, we have also researched new homeowner's coverage and for a minimum of 5 years our insurance will cost $4500 per year more than before this happened. We should not have had to make a claim on our insurance at all and we hope that if we can get the refund ********************** said he would provide so we can pay them back that they will reconsider and not cancel or increase our insurance. 

  This home was for our daughter and son-in-law who had brain cancer, ********************** knew this, and he promised delivery and install within 90-days which is why we did purchase from him. We knew our Son-in-law had limited time and we wanted them to have their own place for the time they had, we refinanced our house to purchase the container home. Our Son-in-law passed away in February they were never able to have their own home. ********************** took our money, he provided us with excuses, pain and heartache, he should refund us at the very least the money he took from us.  

  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

  Business Response

  Date: 02/16/2024

  The home was completely paid off and it was owned by ****. The people were messing around with the electrical either the neighbor of her. I have done what I could for then and my insurance and hers thought there was foul play at hand. The three insurance companies is who u need to be sending this to not the builder. So sorry for your loss. I cannot help u. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/21/2024

   
  Complaint: 20964317
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  ****/Aloha Tiny Hales Maui, did not complete the build, the unit was still under construction but not finished. On September 27, 2022 **** and his crew connected the solar system they had set up and created and the unit electrical before they left for the day. On September 28, 2022, before 10 AM the fire was reported. The fire investigator did not say there was foul play neither did ****'s insurance. As far as the ****'s most current response statement related to foul pay or someone else doing something to the system include myself, it seems unfortunately that **** has made up so many stories about this he can't keep them straight anymore. My husband and I were not even on the island at the time the fire started we had just arrived at the airport returning from the mainland where we had been supporting our daughter and son-in-law who was undergoing treatment for brain cancer, we got the call about the fire while we were standing waiting for our luggage to come off the plane. To try and blame our neighbor is ridiculous but if he really wants to go there my neighbor across the street and his 3 Sons who live there are ******************** and have video cameras that face us, there was no one other than **** and his crew who accessed or was near the unit. 

  We purchased and paid **** per his policy at the time he required full payment at the time of order. The job/order and product were not completed or provided. 

  **** filed a claim with his insurance, but he lied to them and told them he had finished the job which he had not and so because he said he was finished, and the unit was not still under construction they didn't cover it. Prior to filing his insurance claim **** brought a replacement unit to our home but took it back because it was not the right floor plan that we had ordered he said he had ordered a correct one and would bring it when he received it, he never did. He only returned to pick up the solar panels, solar wind turbine and other supplies he had left. 

  When something is under construction and not completed it is still the builder responsibility and he still owns his components, (example that he came and took back components and also told us we could not use them). Any manufacture issue during his construction is his because he purchased the items from the manufacturer. He sold us a product and did not provide it so he should refund us what we paid. 

  I have his messages confirming what I have written here and more if needed. 

  Sincerely,
  

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

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/21/2024

   
  Complaint: 20964317
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  ****/Aloha Tiny Hales Maui, did not complete the build, the unit was still under construction but not finished. On September 27, 2022 **** and his crew connected the solar system they had set up and created and the unit electrical before they left for the day. On September 28, 2022, before 10 AM the fire was reported. The fire investigator did not say there was foul play neither did ****'s insurance. As far as the ****'s most current response statement related to foul pay or someone else doing something to the system include myself, it seems unfortunately that **** has made up so many stories about this he can't keep them straight anymore. My husband and I were not even on the island at the time the fire started we had just arrived at the airport returning from the mainland where we had been supporting our daughter and son-in-law who was undergoing treatment for brain cancer, we got the call about the fire while we were standing waiting for our luggage to come off the plane. To try and blame our neighbor is ridiculous but if he really wants to go there my neighbor across the street and his 3 Sons who live there are ******************** and have video cameras that face us, there was no one other than **** and his crew who accessed or was near the unit. 

  We purchased and paid **** per his policy at the time he required full payment at the time of order. The job/order and product were not completed or provided. 

  **** filed a claim with his insurance, but he lied to them and told them he had finished the job which he had not and so because he said he was finished, and the unit was not still under construction they didn't cover it. Prior to filing his insurance claim **** brought a replacement unit to our home but took it back because it was not the right floor plan that we had ordered he said he had ordered a correct one and would bring it when he received it, he never did. He only returned to pick up the solar panels, solar wind turbine and other supplies he had left. 

  When something is under construction and not completed it is still the builder responsibility and he still owns his components, (example that he came and took back components and also told us we could not use them). Any manufacture issue during his construction is his because he purchased the items from the manufacturer. He sold us a product and did not provide it so he should refund us what we paid. 

  I have his messages confirming what I have written here and more if needed. 

  Sincerely,
  

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

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/21/2024

  Is there a simple way for me to print the responses/messages to keep? 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/10/2022

  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.

  After planning with Aloha Tiny Hales for weeks, we discussed with owner *************************** and his salesman Westin on May 18th 2022. We shared our unique situation and asked about the timeline. **** assured us he'd have our home ready in 3 months. I responded, "3 months from today? So, August 18th?" He responded with "Yes, August 18th. It will have all the bells and whistles and move-in ready." We wanted the off-grid package, siding, roof, deck, **********. The purchase was made in full rather than the standard payment plan to ensure our home would be done first. We only engaged when we were trying to get information promised which was a challenge. We moved to Maui with the expectation of move in Aug 18th and enrolled our children in school, but learned the house was not yet on island. When asked, he responded with aggression and blame shifted. We were homeless so he offered for us to stay in his Model Tiny Home for rent, with a 3-week estimate to finish the home. With no options, we paid an additional $2K rent to ****, thinking we'd be moving in soon. To date, It has been 3.5 months past breach of contract. He has continued to demand more rent money from us and delayed for months and certainly has not done our project first. As of November 10th, 2022, the house is not finished. We remain displaced by ***** delays and have considerable emotional and financial hardship. ***** workmanship on the tiny home, which is a brand-new foldout model, is slipshod, leaving areas unsealed from the elements; missing shelves in the cabinets; poor leveling leaving gaps he covered, incorrect/unmatched doors (one door placed on the wrong wall); unsecured sliding glass door; marks, dents, and blemishes throughout; poorly or unfinished trim; wrong toilet. This is not the off-grid package we paid for. He also hires laborers offline and then fires them and doesn't pay them. After a letter from an attorney and further requests to finish, he remains uncommunicative, avoidant, and aggressive.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/14/2022

  Aloha and thank you for this opportunity to show what I did to help you with your poor decisions. 

  First covid 19 made shipping delayed by 1 year. I made an effort to pay more for shipping to get the containers here faster almost tripple what I usually pay. All profit lost right there. 

  I told you the shipping was delayed 6 times. 

  The time I told you the 18th was only me saying what the shipping company said to me why would you go on that and not do more research like calling me again to make sure it's not delayed again. Like they has done 6 times before then moving g your family to and island **** miles from mainland with no rentals on this island to speak of due to pandemic and people being able to work remotely 

  Your home was purchased 7th in line behind all those people who I put in peril due to your poor life choices. I also let you and your family stay in the demonstration unit I have set up on my property all the while you were talking badly about my company and making me lose all sales the whole time you were here therefore now I am not able to make a profit to hold company together. Your u greatfulness is u paralleled. I cannot get peoe to show up to work due to this pandemic also. You will soon find out what it is like to live on an island. It is harder. You ha e to be understanding. But you are not