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

It's incredible frustrating right now to see these people keep operating and not being able to stop them from scamming more people. You have to wonder what other business they might be setting up right now to keep ripping people off. It's like playing wack-a-mole. More and more new people keep showing up here when they realize they've been ripped off. How many more don't we know about. Atleast we have some comfort in the fact that we've been able to find each other and we can coordinate our efforts to be more effective in going after these people.

BillyBoy131,
What did the lawyer say when you talked to him? Did he say how many people contacted him so far? Has he made any progress?

Over the last two years Zimmerman & Knote & USB have been sued in court many, many times and have lost. They have been ordered to give victims their money back or their buildings and have done neither. They are in contempt of court, but are still not being arrested! Why Not? is what I would like to know. Broward County seems to be one of the most crooked justice systems I have ever read about. Take the time to read about Scott Rothstein in the Sun Sentinel newspaper archives, there were Judges, lawyers, bankers, police, ect. involved that were all crooked. That may give you all an idea of what you may be up against in the court system in Broward County.

What just amazes me is that if I was told in court to pay somebody something I owed them and did not, they would come and stick my butt in jail and sell everything that I owned. That is what should be happening now...to these crooks..

Hi everyone, I am writing a letter to the president. I don't know what good it will do, but I figure it's worth a try... I think that everyone should write the president and load his mailbox with all our complaints and see what response we can get. I know it's a little far- fetched but hey what do we have else to lose...

Talked to miami detective sunday, long story short you should google goldbetter inc. miami and check out the virtual office space that super steel operated out of. Detective tried to look into super steel and the only info that goldbetter could come up with was that howard Zimmerman payed for the office space. Tracy Turner listed as CEO but had no identification for her other than that. Smells very fishy, the guy is making money by given these scammers a physical address.

Tracy Turner may be the CEO this time, buy Zimmerman & the Knotes are the owners aka president aka vice president of all the Steel Companies that they have been using. United Steel Factory, Inc., United Steel Buildings, Inc, & Super Steel Buildings, Inc. And that is to name just a few of the 14 they have had in the last 10 years.

This is an email I just received from Diane Lade at Sun Sentinel in Florida. I hope she doesn't mind but I wanted to get this posted for everyone to see tonight. PLEASE send her an email letting her know how much you have lost, what state your from, and some details of what SSB did to you.

Thanks for this email, Jane. I wrote a brief story about United Steel Building being investigated a few months ago. Maybe I need to do something larger? Was Super Steel Buildings in Florida as well?

Diane

Diane C. Lade

Consumer and aging issues writer, Sun Sentinel

[protected] (office) [protected] (cell) dlade@sun-sentinel.com (email)

Follow me on Twitter @helpchick. Get consumer updates #helpchickpix.

Another avenue some of you might want to pursue is to contact your US Senator in your state or Rep in your district. If your close enough go to their office with what ever documentation you have. I've sent emails to mine.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheFloridaScoop--- this is a link to a video of a virtual office like Super Steels Buildings was.

http://www.goldbetter.com/---their address is now 1053 Ives Dairy Rd Suite 228 same as Super Steels use to be.

I was scammed by Super Steel about a month ago. They were supposed to send a refund for insulation and a payment for work the contractor had to do to repair some brackets. They owe me about $4000. As I am new to this and I the more I read the madder I get any information as to were to start would be appreciated.

Mike Flinn

It appears I (Arizona) should join the party. I began the process with Super Steel Buildings back in January and like most of you have delt with Wade, Scott, Marie, Miranda, and have plans stamped with the same engineer. My delivery date was targeted for late July/early August so I began trying to contact them this week. They are into me for $2, 500 which is nothing compared to some of you...but alot for me. I will contact and file complaints with all of the Forida agencies listed in the threads above as well as my local law enforcement. I have reservations about jumping on board with an attorney at this point but have not ruled it out.

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.

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.

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.

Thanks Wimberly keep us updated.

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

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.

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]

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.

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.

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]

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Kim Faulkner

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

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!

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,

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

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!

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!

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

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.

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...