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Dear Mr. robert L. Waltrip;
This complaint is regarding the dispute of land purchase with Shannan Speicher, General Manager of Skyline Memorial Gardens, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, OR 97229.
I and my husband had the initial meeting with Shannan Speicher on March 2, 2019.
In the meeting we told her that we wish to buy a piece of land to build a private mausoleum. After we sat down and talked for a few minutes our wishes she stated that first she needed to drive us around in the Skyline Memorial Gardens so that we could give her an idea the site we are interested in. We finally picked up a location that we really like.
After returning to the meeting room she showed us some pictures of the mausoleums. Then I pointed to her one mausoleum that we like - the footprint size of that mausoleum is around 11 feet by 10 feet.
First question I asked her is how much does the land cost if we want to purchase 15 feet by 15 feet - 225 square feet of land.
She carefully use calculator to calculate and told us the total price of land would be $56, 250 and without any doubtless she also added that $56, 250 includes 15 percent of endowment care fund that law of Oregon State requires.
On my note I also calculated the unit price on the paper. I asked Shannan ' That is $250 per square feet, right ?' She responded without any hesitation 'That is Correct !'.
Both me and my husband took notes in that meeting.
We both wrote down on the notes like this :" $56, 250 includes 15% of ECF."
By the way both of us still keep the notes.
She also give us the deadline of March 31, 2019 to decide.
Unbeknownst to us when she called us on March 26 indicating the deadline she set for 3/31 is forthcoming and first time in a row announcing to us that the price she quoted in the first meeting is without adding 15 percent of ECF. If she indeed made mistake she should have corrected us right away not more than three weeks later. In her 3/27's email she even wrote to us stating that in the first meeting she clearly did say $56, 250 is Land only price and ECF is additional. A BIG LIE !
I cannot believe she bears the 'General Manager' title and is so unprofessional and has no integrity at all.
She kept persuading us to purchase 20 by 20 - total of 400 square feet of land and stated that if we buy less than 400 square feet the price will not be proportional. I questioned her on the phone if we just want 18 feet by 18 feet what are your going to charge ? She said $121, 500 then I used calculator to figure it out - one square foot is $375. I said we had been to East Coast Dignity Memorial which sells the land with ECF included for $250 per square feet. Ridiculously she responded to us on the phone - east coast's land is $250 per square feet but the land on the west coast can be more than $350 per square feet. I was SO SO mad and sent her the email right after the phone call on March 26, 2019.
We were told by two of direct mausoleum vendors that least amount of land to support mausoleums is exactly the size of footprint of mausoleums and we are not clear why she kept pushing us to purchase extra land that we don't need and is not necessary.
I really cannot imagine Dignity Memorial hires this kind of person as General Manager. A person who is so unprofessional and has no integrity at all. Shannan does not own any basic mathematical skills and most funny thing she has done is in order to add 15 percent on top of xxx she just take xxx and times 1.5 (one point five).
I include the emails we communicated with her as below:
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From: "Speicher, Shannan"
Subject: RE: Cost of Land
Date: March 27, 2019 at 10:21:52 PDT
To: Judy McReynolds
Cc: Warren
Dear Mr. and Mrs. McReynolds,
The cost of a 18x18 lot would be $121, 500. This is $250 per square foot and Endowment Care of 15%. As we had discussed in our first meeting, I was estimating the costs and the size of the lot and we had to wait for a quote in order to be sure. We received that quote later that week and have been adjusting it ever since.
The 18x18 lot size will accommodate some buildings but not all. There will be an addendum, as I've previously mentioned, that will lay out what the builder will have to do and how we must approve the size and design, etc. The size and weight of the building determines the foundation which dictates the size of the lot. It is possible that after purchasing 18x18 you will need to purchase additional land, depending on the building you choose.
I feel I have always been straightforward with what I know or what I will have to get quoted. As I told you on the phone, I initially quoted $250 per square foot as that is the cost where I come from in the East. On the West Coast, as you are aware, land is at a premium and this often means things are more expensive. I have honored what I told you regarding the price per square foot, regardless of my mistake. I dearly wish that you both find a spot with which you'll be content and a building to honor your lives. Hopefully, that will be at Skyline.
Sincerely,
Shannan
From: Judy McReynolds
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 4:27 PM
To: Speicher, Shannan
Cc: Judy McReynolds ; Warren
Subject: Cost of Land
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Hi, Shannon,
Attach is the note I wrote on our first meeting.
I asked you how much will it cost if we want to purchase 15x15 square feet of land.
Your answer is $56, 250 and you stated that it includes 15% endowment care fund.
So I figured out that moment that it is $250 per square feet.
Now you said the east coast costs $250 per square feet and west coast costs $350 per square feet.
I have no idea why some cemeteries try so hard wanting to take advantage every bit from people facing the death of their love ones and people are pre-planning their death as well.
Can you answer the question if want 18 by 18 how much you want to charge us ?
We prefer email communication to the phone call.
Thanks.
Judy
Sincerely,
Warren & Judy McReynolds
