Clayton mobile homes? Anyone deal with them?

[mountainwmn]

I got approved for a brand new trailer, which was a shock considering my credit score. So I did a little research and found that they are supposed to be the biggest manufacturer of mobile homes, but also seem to be the one with the most complaints. My house needs some work, I hired a guy to do the windows, which he messed up and now need to be redone, and I thought it might be easier to get a newer house than put another 15k into this one. But I don't want to have more problems than I started with, so if anyone has personal experience with them I would love to hear it.

[Belfrybat]

It depends a lot on the dealer as to the kind of service you get after the purchase. Since the early 90's all manufactured homes have to meet specific standards in quality of the actual structure, but the fixtures and cabinets can vary widely. Clayton keeps their cost down by using lower quality cabinets and trim, but that doesn't mean substandard. Also look at the ratio of complaints to sales. Since Clayton is the largest seller, they will have more complaints overall, but the ratio might be the same (or less) than another manufacturer.

[nadja]

A couple a couple of miles from here bought one, and it took almost a year to finish the set-up. Then about another 6 months to re do the roof which leaked and destroyed the ceiling and carpeting.

[KyMama]

Originally Posted by Belfrybat

Also look at the ratio of complaints to sales. Since Clayton is the largest seller, they will have more complaints overall, but the ratio might be the same (or less) than another manufacturer.

Absolutely, my DH works in retail and if you check his company online you will find a lot of complaints. Most of the problems involve returns, but they don't mention that they signed and initialed a receipt stating no returns on certain products.

Also, nowadays people seem to expect top quality for rock bottom prices. If you have looked through the models you should know what you are getting. I think they have a warranty on their new homes, is that right?


I grew up in a Clayton, and then when I was in high school we moved and my parents bought another one. Granted this was 15 years ago, but I don't remember having any problems. I don't think my parents would have bought another one if they had major flaws.

Hope that helps.

A former neighbor ordered a Clayton and they sent her the wrong model... she had to really argue with them to get them to send the correct one that she ordered...

[Ken Scharabok]

Back in 1995 when I bought my used one, the entire me to dealer rep. dicussion was recorded. I'm relative happy with it, even though it wasn't as described by dealer. Lot more abuse than 'a little old lady only living in it on Sunday's'. I now wish I had gone through it more thoroughly in advance, but that way T-Totally my fault to not have noticed the signs of what was there.

[Harry Chickpea]

A neighbor used to work in one of the construction plants. She wasn't too enthusiastic.

We chose Deer Valley and have been quite satisfied. In general, try to find a mfgr that is within a 100 mile radius and has a decent rep.. Ask to see if you can tour the erection building floor.

[AngieM2]

I like Fleetwood brand myself. Have lived in two, this one I'm in now is 14 years old and doing well. Clayton I've always considered a level or two lower in construction quality.

[Rocktown Gal]

I have to agree with Angie...Fleetwood is the top of the line.

I have been in Clayton Homes though and my opinion is they are really nice. When you choose your home you can pick your own cabinets and carpet and other items. Each individual dealer will be different on how they sit up your home and how long it takes.

I really like the Clayton homes that look like log houses.

[showpigann]

We bought a clayton home a year ago. Somethings are cheaply made but over it is a good home. They are really good about replacing things. All ready had to replace microwave and dryer. We went through a company that they use for finacing I do not like them at all. I will be so glad to pay them off.

[mnn2501]

We had a Clayton for a few years, bought it new and had no problems, ended up selling it 2 years later for what we paid for it when we bought a regular house.
Ours was in a Clayton park and they were very good about fixing a door that was not hung properly when we got it.
Don't know about longevity cause we sold it after a couple years, but it was good while we had it.

[SamanthaB]

We live in a Clayton thats about 11 years old and we haven't had any real problems other than the typical wear and tear that any 11 year old house would have.

[mountainwmn]

I kind of have to go through them and their finance company if I want to do it. I have terrible credit and low income, and I never thought they would actually finance me. It's good to hear some good things about them. I figure it's like a buy here pay here car lot, you don't get a great deal...low quality and high intrest. But you do what you need to do. I'm going to see if I can find info on the ones that look like log homes.

[Ravenlost]

Originally Posted by AngieM2

I like Fleetwood brand myself. Have lived in two, this one I'm in now is 14 years old and doing well. Clayton I've always considered a level or two lower in construction quality.

My BIL worked for years as a salesman (sold accessories...knobs, screws, etc.) to mobile home plants. He said Fleetwood was the best out there and he did not recommend Clayton.

[AngieM2]

I just looked at the Clayton site, and dang! The prices sure have gone up in the last 14 years. I may just have to hang onto mine, or if I decided to sell, I bet I could easily get a bit more than I owe on it.

[taylorlambert]

Belmont/Cavalier made good home Cavalier bought Belmont for their line back in 2000. THe landfill we run was started by my dad for Belmont. THey made some sure nice homes, they did have a leadership problem back in 98 99 when the main manager passed away. Had too many percs to run production.


I have a neighbor that does set up/ service for Clayton.

[whatrset]

RUN FOR THE HILLS!!! My wife and I bought a Clayton home after we got married and it was one of the biggest mistakes that we have ever made in our married life. I wish I had recorded the sales guy and I regreted ever messing with them. The Double wide that we bought was ok, and it only had a couple problems that were ironed out without too much trouble. They luckily contracted out our delivirey which allowed the set up to go faster, but the finishing detailing was slow to completion as the sales rep was always really busy... and he took care of all the issues at this lot. The worst part of the deal was the finance company. We had to use their company due to our credit scores and they were a nightmare to work with. They messed up our paperwork at one point and jumped our payments from $575/mo to $755/mo. . THen I couldn't keep a rep on the line to sort things out. I finally stopped payments until they called me and we could resolve the error that resulted in the overcharge. In the end, I went back to the lot, told them to find that house a new owner and have it removed from my property within 6 months or I would remove it for them. Luckily for everyone, they found a buyer to pick up the notes and had it gone in under 6 weeks. THat was the best service I got outta them. Sadly, the original salesman had been fired by this time for padding his own pockets.... I really have a strong dislike for those ppl.

[mountainwmn]

Oh boy, just the kind of stuff I DON"T want to deal with. There's as much bad out there about vanderbilt mortgage as on clayton homes.

[whatrset]

Clayton was like a visit to the gates of hades without entering. Vandervilt was the full service hospitality suit of the dark one himself.

[ann in tn]

I am living in a Clayton home that I rent. The saleman took great advantage of my friends mother who owns the home. The floors are particle board or pressed wood. For the price she paid they should be plywood. Also the roof had sprung a leak and when my husband found where it was - he discovered some type of pressed wood used as roof decking.

We had a single wide that ended up in Vanderbilts hands mortgage wise. At the very end of our contract we had financial problems. I had been speaking to them, trying to make arrangements on about 1000-1200 dollars then the house would be paid off. All I could get were threats and refusals to cooperate. Yes it was their right, I understand that. What I do not understand is the I sent them 3 separate payments each week that either my husband or i were paid. Their office kept telling me the payments had never been received and they sent a letter saying they were sending someone to inspect the house getting ready to repossess it. I told them it was on private propery and would refuse them entrance - charge them with trespassing. This was a delaying tactic I know they could go through the courts. Their contract only allowed them on the original park property the home was placed on - mistake on the original lenders part. Well that the was the Monday before thanksgiving. Wednesday they were still telling me they had not received any of the 3 payments and were taking me to court. Friday after Thanksgiving all three checks cleared my bank!!!!! These were mailed out 3,4 and 5 weeks prior and "never recieved". I would not deal with vanderbilt ever again.

Sorry for the long rant. After my experience I went online and discovered that many other complaints were out there about this lending company. Definitely try some other financing.