Super Steel Building review: Don't fulfil order after they receive payment 251

Most of us that got taken by United Steel Buildings, Inc. have already filed with the Federal Trade Commission and got the same letter back as all the rest of the departments we filed with saying, "sorry we can't help you, get a lawyer or file with such & such department."
I really think envolving the media would be our best bet if we can find someone to print our stories and get it all out there before election day!
I am still looking for the addresses of Zimmerman & Knote, does anyone else have their addresses?

Hey I found another place where we can file a complaint, it may or may not help but the more negative stuff we get out there on these people the more chances that someone will see it before they get ripped off by them also. So I filed a complaint with the the Federal Trade Commission, the web site is www.ftc.gov. Come on guys, load em up with complaints. I also mailed my notorized affidavits to the Attorney General of Florida.

Thanks Debra for the names! I will get on board with those complaints departments also. I'm w/ you on the lawyer, you borrow money to buy a building that you never get and have to pay your loan off w/o the buss. of the building that I had hoped for. This co. has ran me 6ft. under! I have freinds that can look up this bank and account to find out who's name it was in that sent that pro rated check, I'm going to start my own investigation to find these people! They messed with wrong one when my borrower is law enforcement! WE Will Get These People! Greinerj28@yahoo.com

Even though we lost a lot of money, we do not have any more money to throw away, I think we have decided to not hire any attorney unless they would like to do it on a percentage recovered...

Please post the address of Zimmerman and Knote if you have it anyone...Tracie Turner is another one I would like to tell off also. Thanks

Soooooo...I assume no one is going to give Gavin Caddy $2000 MORE plus $150/hr...to "recover" our money...(which will be zero)? Agree with threads so far...nothing we can do but "vent" here, and maybe feel a little better. These clowns have it figured out...but will screw the wrong person someday, and be six feet under. Give me an address for Zimmerman and Knote (tell me if it's further back in the threads, I'll look), and I'll write a letter.

Getting a lawyer is not going to do anyone any good. There have been cases settled in favor of the victims, but USB has never come through with the building or the money. They have been in contempt of court over and over again and still nothing is being done to put them in jail.
There are over 100 victims of USB, and over a million dollars stolen and still nothing is being done to these men. So, just because they took our money and spent it, that means they don't have to pay for what they did? So what if they have "legitimate mortgages", make them sell their houses to pay us back! I swear, Broward County, Florida is the most crooked place I have ever had to deal with. I would just like to know who's pockets are being padded that these lowlife scums can get away with this time and time again. I say, Thanks for NOTHING Florida Attorney General, you say the FBI should do something, yet the FBI said they did their investigation and turned it over to the AG to do something about this mess, sounds like they are all just passing it back and forth and no one wants to do anything. Lets face it people, we have been hung out to dry!
Maybe each of us should write a letter to Zimmerman & Knote and ask them how they can sleep at night knowing what they have done, NOT THREATING THEM IN ANYWAY, just expressing your opinion of what lowlife scums they are, if nothing else it sure will flood their mailboxes and we might get a small measure of satifaction of letting them know personally how we feel about them.
Yet again, maybe we should all show up at the AG's office on the same day at the same time and actually SHOW them just how many of us they scammed. That might get their attention and it might get the attention of the media! How would that look for the AG? It is election year, isn't it?

Hi all,
I talked to John Knopka from Attorney General office. Seems they are trying to tie Super Steel with United Steel. They are in a recovery mode for United Steel, but it seems there is no money anywhere they can put their hands on, all these criminals seem to have legitimate mortgages & no big money rollin around. Seems to think they blew thru the money. BULL... I bet there are offshore accounts etc. They cannot due much harm to them except try to recover something for us. Does not sound promising, we know there are alot of us from Super Steel, no telling how many people are in the
UnitedSteel pool.
They say for the criminla aspect we have to hope the FBI will do something. Like I told him, these people committed crimes against us. They knew they were not going to fill these orders.
Basically oh well & good luck. He suggested we hire an attorney...
But that is no promise either, we shell out and get a judgement with no sign of hope to recover anything.

John knows the score.
What is just as crazy...people at the AG's office are not looking at damages. Some victims have been sued by USB for "breach of contract". Some of those cases are still pending causing additional financial harm. Some people are paying morgages on empty lots/slabs due to USB/SSB's failure to perform causing financial harm.
You can't have a years delay on a construction loan!
The AG says they can only look at monies given to these companies.

To my knowledge no charges pending. No cease and desist order or enjoinment from continuing conducting business. And no action regarding fraudulant allegations, the basis for lawsuits. Is the AG looking at Ketabi? or Berlowitz who also must have known? For all I know, Knote/Zimmerman may still be taking orders for buildings.

I totally agree, I don't see why they don't have to pay us our money back, I am sick of them doing this over and over and nothing happening to them. They all should be in prison and we should have the money that we worked for back.

I don't understand why they can't go after Zimmerman's & Knote's personel assets, they commited a CRIME! Of coarse there are no buisness assets, they used USB profits to start Super Steel. Duh! These men & their families are living in $500.000.00 homes, are those not assets that can be sold to pay for what they have done? What do they drive? Sell it! Boats? Sell it! Besides the money they owe, why aren't they going to JAIL for what they have done? THEY COMMITED A CRIME! And I still believe the others that worked with them should pay and that Jalal Ketabi knew exactly what was going on and that he should pay and I think Jeffrey Berlowitz should also have to be accountable. It is strange that they all come from back East, they all knew each other from way back, even their lawyer. So don't try and tell me that they aren't ALL involved in fraud. PUT THEIR BUTTS IN PRISON! If they have to work for $5.00 an hour for the next 20 years to pay back what they owe then so be it. I worked hard and saved to buy my building that they stole from me.

Attorney General update:

A woman named Dorlynn(?) is now working on the USB/SSB file at the AG's Office.
They are investigating both companies. She says they are currently going through bank records to evaluate assets. Did not sound promising...considering it is doubtful the companies actually have any assets. If anyone hears back from the AG, please keep everyone posted.

Previously, I was informed by Levin(he was only an intern with the AG over the summer) that the AG's office was negotiating with USB's attorneys. Sounds like that did not pan out.

So, why have no charges been filed? What is the status of FBI investigation? There seems to be no sense of urgency...AG moving like a herd of turtles while Knote & Zimmerman spent our money.

We need to speak up as a group...

I just wanted to update everybody and let everybody know that has e-mailed me with their info at bk5dragon@aol.com. I have filled out my affidavit to John A Konopka, Jr. and I am sending it off in the mail with all of my info and all of the info supplied to me at bk5dragon@aol.com. Thank You.

Kim:
Any other info from FL AG? Like, what they are going to do with the affidavit?
Scott

I have received a letter from the FLorida Attorney General's office:

RE: Super Steel Buildings Investigation, L10-3-1069

Basically they need a notorized affidavit from me concerning the whole issue that took place between Super Steel & myself.

For all of you this is the info for the Attorney General's Office
John A Konopka, Jr.
Super Steel Building Investigation
1515 N. Flagler Dr., Suite 900
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
[protected]
http://www.myfloridalegal.com

Please contact them so they have all our info!

When I spoke with the FBI person...who was going to forward our complaint to the Florida AG...she said she had 22 folks. So, that's $44, 000 in Mr. Gaddy's pocket up front...with little to no hope of getting ANY of our money back. Sounds like FL will let them kick the can down the road forever...the attorneys are getting rich. Either Mr. Gaddy can represent us for a percentage (which is in the 30% range)...or forget it, in my opinion. Guys...it's time to fold our cards. Change my mind...please. I'm just one guy...
"Burned in SC" has some valid thoughts...thanks!

To all USB & SSB scam victims:

Just some thoughts...

I have compiled a list of over 50 victims for both USB & SSB. The state is supposedly sitting on 110 complaints for USB alone...up from the 80 they reported in 03/10. So almost 200 people?

I have wasted $$$ on attorneys in Florida without any results. There are lawsuits pending and USB has failed to perform on judgements against them. Also, there is supposedly a USB class action(incomplete) out there somewhere...

If a class action is out of the question...$2K each sounds like alot...especially if it is coming from several dozen individuals. It is not uncommon for attorneys to work on a contingency basis for a strong action.

Both Zimmerman & Knote have assets...question is...what is the state doing?...Levin from the AG says they are in negotiations with USB attorney's for resolution. Without being able to somehow seize assets...(you know USB/SSB have none) a judgement is not worth the paper it is printed on... and without knowing, if in the event, assets were seized...will they cover the additional expense, plus funds lost, plus any funds that are currently being sought by others... the AG included?

I for one have never been interviewed by the AG or FBI. But it would certainly make sense to know what they have in the works before throwing more money to others in Florida.

For what it is worth, I think a letter, signed by as many victims as possible, be sent to both the Florida AG and the press, demanding information on what has been done to see that complaintants recover funds lost & recieve just compensation, what action has been taken concerning criminal charges, and what action has been taken to prevent these individuals from continuing to operate.

As it is now, Zimm, Knote, and Ketabi are spending OUR money on themselves and on legal representation. I believe the state should take this on for us. Haven't we spent enough?

We could probably do this quickly with some sort of online form. Any other ideas, comments, or help is appreciated.

unitedsteelbuildingscam.webs.com

Heres my email from Gavin Caddy, I'm out $8138 I honestly can't decide whether its worth it to put out another $2000 plus. Anybody with lawyer experience have advice?

Ladies/Gentlemen:

We appreciate your patience while we were fielding and responding to your questions and compiling a list of all of the victims of Super Steel who have contacted us. The inquiries we were receiving have now slowed to the point that I think it makes sense to move forward with the people that we have to date.

My Partner and I have discussed this case at length and agreed to reduce our standard retainer and hourly billing rates in order to provide a cost effective way for you to prosecute this case against the corporation and its principals. For this case, we are willing to provide representation at the rate of $150.00 per hour (for associate time) and accept a reduced $2000 retainer. Additionally, in order to provide an additional level of comfort, we propose to cap each client's maximum pre-judgment attorneys fees to the $2000 retainer amount. However, if a default judgment was obtained early on, the fees required may be significantly less than the retainer amount, which could be used for collecting on the judgment.

I have also performed research into the application of a class action lawsuit to our facts. My research establishes that Florida does not permit class action lawsuits for fraud - an effective way to get through the formalities of the corporation (or, "pierce the corporate veil") and into the personal assets of the corporation's principals. This is the primary reason for my advice and decision that a class action suit is not the best option.

I propose we proceed immediately with a civil lawsuit where each of you are named Plaintiffs. The only down-side to this is that assuming the Defendant's aggressively defend the action, each of you may be required to come to Florida on one or more occasion, for a deposition, mediation or trial. However, there is a significant possibility that Defendants will not defend the action, or if so, will only defend for a portion of the litigation. This could mean you would never have to come to Florida in connection with the case. However, without a crystal ball, no one could tell you in advance how or if the Defendants will defend. Given our strength in numbers and resources, it makes sense to proceed as a group rather than individually.

This e-mail is not an offer or retainer agreement. Rather, I'm writing to advise you as to our reduced rates for this case and proposed strategy for moving forward as a group. In order to formalize the representation, it will be necessary for you to sign a retainer agreement, which will contain all of the terms and conditions of our agreement for legal representation. We reserve the right not to proceed if not enough people join forces with us, to be determined in our sole discretion.

If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call or e-mail me. In order to proceed, please contact me for purposes of obtaining a retainer agreement for your review and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you and in representing you in this important case.

Sincerely yours,

Re: Gavin Gaddy emails.
Still too many unanswered questions. I imagine the more you have invested, the more you are interested. Personally, I lost $6800. Ok, he wants $2000 up front plus fees...let's just say $3000 total. So, 44% of the amount I lost, and no guarantee I'll get ANY money back. Looking back thru the posts...I see where there is a suit out there against these clowns already...2 years old...no resolution. If he prorated the fees evenly amongst us, I'd feel better. The guy who lost $40K doesn't mind investing another $2K...but I have my reservations. Just thinking out loud...of course. But, again, still too many unanswered questions. Do we know if these clowns HAVE any personal assests? (personal bankruptcy already?). I'm not onboard at THIS time...someone change my mind with reasoning... Still can't get blook out of a rock!

Has does everyone feel about the Emails from Gaddy about the lawsuit?

I recieved a letter from the Florida attorney Generals office wanting me to mail them a notarized statement about my claim.

Kim Faulkner

I have allready emailed everyone I can think of with no response . If you guys try maybe it will raise an eyebrow

Hell would be to nice for them, they would just be with their own friends there... I was just thinking if we all could try at the same time send an email say to " EYEWITNESS NEWS " like here they call it 7 on your side, cause I work for the State Gov. and they will drag their feet unless the media is on top of them or catch them draging on this issue. If they got away without paying and are in contempt of court and still free, all the lawyers in the world cannot make them pay. As you can see even other states cannot influence the state of FL. to step in and arrest them for their crimes of Fraud... It needs to be steped up a few notches... maybe the Media is our best shot?

I also was scammed. In Dec of 2009, I paid $4500 as a down payment for a $13, 500 building at a discounted price. The list price of the building was $30, 179 After upgrades of $8400, I had to pay 50% so another $4200 in Jan of 2010. I thought something was fishy but they did have an "A" rating with the BBB so I thought everything would turn out ok besides I had never bought anything like this and just thought this is the way it is. I am filing a complaint with the attorney generals of Florida and my state of Texas. If they don't do anything, they will get something eventually. I don't think they have ice water in hell. I don't think you can be forgiven when you intentionally hurt people.

Md Attorney Generals called me and said they couldn't do anything that I had to go through Fl Attorney Generals.
I called Fl ag office again last week, and all they would tell me is that the case is open.

The La Attorney Generals called me and said he spoke with the Fl attorney general . The Fl attorney is investagateing and he will be following there investagation and keep me posted

Jalal Ketabi has posted on this complaint board under "Super Steel Building" everyone please read his comments. He claims he will be speaking with the FBI, that he was also victimized by super steel. Find that hard to believe but go read his comments.

Havent heard from Gavin Caddy, but I got a letter from the Attorney Generals office of Pa (not a form letter and It was hand signed) they have reviewed my case and gave me a case number and will keep me updated on any major developments, apparently they are pursuing the matter. I am to send them any updated info I have gotten since I last sent in my complaint.

Has anyone heard anything new? Or talked to Caddy lately?

I am also one that has paid a deposit and can't get them to answer their phones

My name is Chris. I just found out this morning that I too am a victim of Super Steel Buildings. I have already filed a complaint with Miami Dade Police. Anyone with more information on this can call me at [protected]

Hi my name is Kim & I have also been taken by Super Steel Buildings for $5, 000.00. Any info on how to proceed with
whom to contact would be appreciated. kimafaulkner@aol.com.

Everytime I call the Attorney general, BBB, FBI, I get the runaround.

To all of you "newbies" to this fiasco: File a complaint with the FBI internet crimes division and the Florida Attorney General. Also visit the site:

http://unitedsteelbuildingscam.webs.com/

For more information on these people's shenanigans.

My name is Keith Parnell and I am in Lamar, SC . I gave Super Steel a $5000 deposit on 12/17/09 and of course like everyone else have received nothing for it oher than some fake preliminary blueprints.
my email is barnoflamar@aol.com and phone is [protected]

We visited Miami last week and visited Allied Steel, and confirmed that Super Steel is alias USB. These guys actually know Zimmerman and Knote and said they are still located in South Miami somewhere. Suspiciously, seemed odd that they would not divulge where. We thought these guys were untrustworthy as well. Would never purchase a steel building from them. Investigated as to what these types of businesses look like. The office was under lock and key. When we arrived they opened the door very cautiously. We told them that we got ripped off by Super Steel. They were aware of all the folks that were ripped off. We asked them who the manufacturers they delt with were, and they gave us a few names. Told us anyone could order straight from the manufacturers and fabrication would take about 6 weeks. How come we were drug out for months with Super Steel? This is big business folks, and the more we investigate into these businesses the more we realize that there are alot of crooks in the steel business. These little chop shops exist everywhere in the U.S. We found out that Super Steel ordered our building from Whirlwind Steel Bldgs., Inc. here in Houston. They claim Super Steel never gave them any money, and have offered us to purchase our building back from them at a lower price. For all we know they are sleeping with Knote and Zimmerman. Buyers be aware! I would suggest finding a steel manufacturer near where you are putting the buildings. Go directly thru a reputable steel manufacturer. How you find a reputable one, good luck. If you find any good ones please e-mail me. I am only praying that these crooks after 6 years of scamming folks finally have justice served on them.

Received a letter today from the Miami-Date County Consumer Services Dept, Consumer Protection Division, they have assigned Enforcement Officer Robert Pedrara (also a case #) to my complaint against Super Steel Buildings. Will let everyone know if I get any results.

You can also file a complaint with them if you haven't already, the more the better
consumer@miamidade.gov
there website is www.miamidade.gov/csd

Thanks Wimberly keep us updated.

Hello. To all that e-mailed me their names, location, pone numbers and losses at bk5dragon@aol.com I compiled the list and sent it to the State of Florida FBI, AG, and the Fl Dept of Agr and Consumer Services. They tell me to give them 30 days. If I recieve more names in the mean time I will update their list. The Governer and Senator are next.

Scamvic,
Some of us have contacted an attorney in Florida ( Gavin Caddy) go back a few pages on this board and you will see his name, phone number and email address if you want to contact him. Yes, alot of us got the $190 check but we were advised not to cash it or SSB will claim we settled with them.
Did you also file a complaint with the Attorney General of your state, also file with the FBI internet crime division.

We have also been scammed by Super Steel Buildings in Florida. We had paid them over $10, 000. We have an attorney and have saved every single thing so hopefully but doubtfully will get something back. Anyone else receive a check from them for $190.00 as a "pro rata?' Everyone of us should get together and do a class action suit against these people and make them pay. We too dealt with Marie but Tracy Turner is who our blueprints and po's were signed by. We did a BBB complaint and also with the Florida AG office. We also researched this company prior to giving them money. It is nobody's fault except the theives who rob people of their money.