Mortgage Rates with Cajasol Bank Spain

HI

I spoke to them yesterday.They seemed to think I was being impatient.All our goods left in the storage area are  covered in mould.I have not made a claim for the goods dammaged by the flood .I am considering a claim  when I assess the total loss.Any way off to the pub now with the rest of my alcoholic colleagues.I hope this is my last negative posting.I am going to enjoy roda or sell up and take a hit. 

Tom. B

Tom is right that it is not helping anyone for so much negativity on this site particularly as new purchasers, investors and renters often read the postings. It seems from reading the past threads that some of people posting the complaints are the same people who advertise their properties for rent - if the finish is that bad who is going to rent them I wonder and what impression is it giving to the other renters?? You can't have it every way either the property has serious snagging difficulties and as such is probably unrentable or it is a luxury apartment which is how some of the people complaining have described their property. With regard to the percentages of owners having problems, these as Roy has confirmed in a number of postings, are in the minority when you consider that there are almost 400 owners on Phase 1 and almost 300 on Phase 2 not to mention the many townhouse owners so to keep things in perspective there is a very small percentage of owners unhappy which is probably not the overall impression that a new owner or potential renter or investor would have when reading these comments. I full appreciate and realise that it is frustrating to have snagging difficulties which go on for a long time and especially frustrating when you realise that there are a lot of owners who did not experience the same difficulties but bear in mind that all of these things can and will be remedied and it is in no one's interest to have the development to get a very bad name for quality of workmanship as it is not actually the case. If a lot of owners are on one particular phase and are experiencing a lot of problems you should make a representation to the community you are in and although I don't think that they deal with snagging if a lot of you are making complaints about time taken to resolve problems and to carry out repairs, they will no doubt make representations to Roda on your behalf and things will improve.

I was just wondering why are people closing on a property when there is still a number of snagging issues outstanding,At home here you would never close adeal until every snag on your list is done .Can people not wait till then to complete or are you forced 2 complete in spain even with snaging not finished cause i aint handing over money until everything is done down to the last

dear tenga una vida

I think you may have picked up Tom's message wrongly.  I think he is very fed up with Roda and the way they treat people.

Also on the subject of renting:

People want their property to be of a high quality for rental and that is why they are so exasperated by the whole situation.  Is this so wrong?  

I think it is very important for people to be up front and honest about how they are feeling.  I wish I knew all of this information before I completed last year.  If I can help someone else by doing this then so be it.

Please don't take this the wrong way but do you work for Roda or Calidona??

Kroda

No I don´t work for Roda but I have five properties, three completed, one Phase 1 and two Phase 2 on Roda as well as a number elsewhere in Spain . As an investor and renter I am keen to have a balanced message out there as I know renters of my properties have checked Eye on Spain. I probably have more invested in this resort than anyone working in Roda so I am keen to ensure that people know that it is only a very low percentage of owners who experience difficulties.

Tengo una vida

Sorry but I have to take Kroda's side on this one 

I have experienced the lack of respect and lack of customer services from Roda.  As someone who manages a large number of people, if some of the Roda staff were employed by me I would have dispensed with their services some time ago.  They really don't understand the concept of keeping the customer happy.  By having five properties and no cause for complaint, you really have been very lucky.  If you live in Spain managing properties is maybe a little easier. 

I think Roda is a superb resort and I am very proud to be an owner.  If you have browsed through the posts over the past number of months you will see all is not well with the Roda technical department.  They have changed their policy on a number of occasions and have left many residents angry and frustrated. 

The membership of EOS represents a small number of owners.  A large percentage of which have experienced significant problems. 

You have obviously invested a substantial amount of money in Roda and no doubt have built up a relationship with the staff there.  Sadly some of us have been treated differently. 

Put yourself in our shoes and perhaps you might start to understand. 

Well said mark, 

tengo una vida, I dont think any of us want to shoot ourselves in the foot regarding bad advertising and I dont think potential renters should be concerned because the development IS a lovely place to stay as we all know once problems are sorted, and dont forget the renters do get the end product. 

BUT because people are so infuriated with the lack of concern Roda show towards peoples problems (who are investing a lot of money with them) this site has become the only place where we seem to be able to get back at them in some way, and release a bit of steam.

You say the percentage of unhappy customers is low. If this is the case it is even more of a disgrace that Roda are not sorting things out more quickly. 

Just a question are Markd and Kroda partners in the same property as all of your posts seem to be the same, with the same snagging issues and relate to the same problems. Both renting luxury ground floor apartment on Phase 1?? No big deal. Just wondering?

Tengo Una Vida

With 3 properties already completed and without problems it seems rather late to have joined EOS?  We all seem to have been around for ages!   Maybe you did not know about this forum, so I doubt if your potential renters have found it, and of course anyone renting knows they get the final, finished, perfect product.  The problem for most of us is how long it takes to reach this standard and the stress endured in dealing with Roda customer services. How do you rent your properties?  I am sure we would all love to know more of your success story.

 

This message was last edited by Mrs H on 2/15/2008.

I am beginning to wonder just how many other people like myself, Kroda, Tom B, Mark D and RD, are experiencing the appalling after sales service from Roda. We all seem to be thinking / saying the same thing, the resort and location is great, in the main the properties are good and we all desperately want to enjoy them and to enhance and preserve our investments. Step in the "Director of Customer Services", because that is where I believe the problem may lay, having now dealt with her first hand.

We are going over (hopefully) to stay in our property for a holiday at the end of March, but after 3 months we still have outstanding snaggs (and not little ones), which Roda are refusing to put right and even saying we will have to pay extra for, if we want them changed (such as a 30mm grout joint around the shower tray, which has already cracked and isolation valves / plumbing in the way of the dishwasher - which Roy will relate to, as he pointed it out to people on another thread).

A holiday ? I have already had to arrange for our solicitor to meet us on the first day, to try and persuade Roda to be reasonable and yes, we have tried all approaches, the friendly, take your time approach - through to the why don't you care approach.

Of course people should know what is going on and Roda should wake up to the fact that they need to provide some real customer service. It seems they satisfy the minor issues (probably the majority), as they are simple and keep the majority happy, but anything that is slightly controversial, or may cost them a bit of money to put right, results in a different approach.

Mrs H

I thought that the purpose of the forum was to share experiences and wasn´t aware that I should have joined earlier but I only became aware of the site from an agent who sold me a property on Phase2 recently.  

There is no big secret to getting results from the Customer Service Team in my experience as I emailed my snagging lists and followed up the action taken or still outstanding as and when I was in the area. Everything is now in order and I honestly have had more difficulty with one property on another resort (not in Murcia) than I had with all three completed so far with Roda and long may it last.

I have no secrets regarding rental although some advertising in golf magazines in UK and with some former colleagues in health services in London has paid off for Phase 1 apartment but the phase 2 ones are only starting to be advertised now.

Rental will be a struggle until hotel etc is in place but when that happens we will all be inundated for rentals as Roda will be the premier resort in the Murcia region and probably outstrip anywhere in Spain where high rises are part of the landscape. The golf course which is getting better all the time and the proximity of the resort to the beach and a very unspoiled Los Alcazares will pay dividends for us all. So all our patience now will pay off.

Well said Mrs H

Tengo Una Vida - Mrs H is right, you should have been here some time ago to guide us through the pitfalls.  (Sorry I forgot you didn't have any)

I have an apartment on phase 1 as do many others.  If you read through the threads you will see that people do have similar problems to mine.

Good luck with your investments.  We discuss matters on this board to provide help to others not to have a go at those less fortunate than ourselves.

Be a good sport!

Markd

I am not having a go at anyone just pointing out that there is another side to the story and that with over 500 properties completd to date the owners on the forum who have had problems (and I do not undervalue your problems) are in the minority.

I am personally very sorry that you and others have been let down but I can´t empathise with you as it didn´t happen to me.

So be a sport yourself and realise that there are two sides to every story and I wish you all every success in having your problems resolved in a timely fashion.

 

I will just give another word of warning, and this makes a complete mockery of what Roda are saying to Roy. We had our keyholder visit the property in the last few days, with three representatives from Roda, just to look through the snagging list to make sure everything is done (the Director of Customer Services confirmed in writing that it was all completed). Despite the two major items referred to in my last post (and no pool cover fitted yet), they tried to bully our representative (a lady) into signing to say the snagging was complete and because she signed (only to say she had met with them but not agreed everything) the same Director of Customer Services is trying to say its too late as our "Inspector" has signed it off.

Needless to say, I have reminded her, that our keyholder is not an "Inspector", or a qualified surveyor, or has Power of Attourney and neither have we signed anything to give such authority. I am warning people, as it is only right for them to know what tricks are being attempted when it suits.

Roy warns about these types of antics, in his guide to snagging and I have just witnessed it first hand. It is just a shame I did not know of him, at the time we did our snagging.

As promised I can now provide an update on the condition of phase 3 and the status on inspections

First of all the good news is that today we checked a ground floor property block 71, and tried to check a 2nd floor property, block 75, the second with the lawyer present, annd the general quality was very good, agian fewer defects than phase 3 so as I have always maintained the quality can vary by apartment

The general gardens, entrances and pools have moved on very rapidly, pools being filled aqnd gardens seeded so again no problems for use in the early Summer break

Around blocls 70+ there are still no lights in halls, on the paths and please be carefull as I tested them and some ARE LIVE WIRES

I confirmed that there is still no Certificate of Habitation and electricty is being supplied by a generator, and water was connected

The first inspection today was done with the client present, a lot of mix ups unfortunately with time, oroginally scheduled for 9;30, then 12;30 but when we arrived they were still cleaning it so eventually it happened at 3pm and the RODA were good and wrote everything down, no problem

The 2nd inspection was scheduled for 16:15 with the lawyer, not a snagging professional present and eventually they arrived at the property together at 5pm, with the light failing fast. Again it was the same

Again as a balanced view walking into the apartment the quality looked good, so we started the inspection and that´s when things weny wrong. remember same RODA person , same defect as previous property, and this time a 10 minute debate between the lawyer and RODA before they would include it on the snagging list

With the failing light and not wanting to debate every item, and to ensure that the customer got the serviuce I then pulled the plug on the inspection.

There then followed a short debate on the process after which the RIDA person advised that I needed qualifucation otherwise she could only take instructions form the lawyer but iof course RIDA cannot or will not tell anybody what the qualification is that they require.

When we quized the RODA person on their qualifucations to carry out inspections we were told that they didn't need any as they were only the promoter and only there to work with the client to record the list

So let's just get this in perspective you have a non qualified person, who may previously have been in sales, conducting an inspection and telling a qualified person, with experience of 4 years of checking more than 1500 peoperties in Spain, what is and what isn't a technical snagging defect, and debating this with a lawyer

We have now decided that, because of the actions of RODA  today that going forward we will only carry out inspections with the owner present  

Again for the record the general quality of the properties today was very good

 

  

 

I have to jump in on the side of Tengo.

I have a three bedroom townhouse on phase two and as I would expect with every developer we have had to keep a close watch on Calidona - thats what you get when you deal with builders and developers all over the world.

The whingers and moaners here are only putting off potential investors in Roda. Well I think Roda is a great product with a great future and I am delighted that I invested. the only people making money out of these threads are those offering a snagging service - think about it!!!!!!!

Barry

Barry

It is not a case of taking sides, it's a case of stating facts. I am not offering a snagging service and I think Roda is good product (certainly better than other products I have seen in Spain), but I have had a very bad experience with their after sales / customer service and these forums are about sharing experiences and you need to accept there will be good as well as bad.

I don't think "whingers and moaners" (as you call them) will put people off, as most investors take a balanced view and I am sure they would rather know the truth. If Calidonia improve on their customer service (especially for those who do experience problems), then they will get justified praise. At the moment, for me, they do not deserve it, but they have every chance to make amends if they want to improve. After all, their Director of Customer Services states they are trying "continuously to improve the quality of our service to satisfy our customers to the utmost" and we "endeavor to give maximum consumer satisfaction". You cannot knock them for that, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating, as they say.

Hi Barry

It is very sad that you have had to resort to calling people with genuine complaints and concerns for their property "whingers and moaners".  You obviously have been lucky.

As Les correctly stated, this forum is about exchanging views to make peoples lives much easier.  I, for one, wish I had known more when I completed.  Noone is questioning that Roda will be a fantastic resort.  After more than a year it is very disheartening when all snagging is not fully completed and Roda don't want to know!  People are being very patient but patience and goodwill does eventually run out!

On the subject of snagging - I presume you are having a go at Roy from Inspecta a Home.  If you actually go back quite a bit on the forum I was very negative and sceptical about Roy and his motives.  I can now be totally honest and say I was wrong.  I didn't know of this service when I  completed but now wish I had.  Roy has in fact helped people who have not used his service and completed a long time ago with lots of very useful information at NO monetary gain to him.

I hope that this forum does not turn into a "tit for tat" chat room but continues as a useful site for new and existing residents.

kroda 

 

 

1.We love Roda Golf and think the resort will be fantastic - in fact the best in the area when all is complete.

2.  We did not use Roy to snag our property when we completed a year ago and in retrospect, I wish we had used him.  We have used him subsequently - fantastic.

3.  I agree Roda Customer Services could go a lot further  to ensure us, the customer, feel comfortable with our purchase as they are absolutely not interested in any problem that occurred before the one year deadline which continues onwards (e.g. my boiler and my roller blinds).  Although the boiler has a 2 year guarantee, they will give you the number of the installation company and tell you they speak English.  However, I do think Roda Customer and Technical Services are somewhat understaffed so the poor girl in the office must feel hounded at times.

4.   I try to remember at all times that we are guests in Spain and to approach the Customer Services people with respect.  Sometimes this is difficult.

5.  I am not a whinger and a moaner,   However, I agree with Kroda that I wish I had known then what I know now about the whole process of buying and completing in Spain - but as they say "you are never too old to learn" and boy, what a learning curve.

6.   Are English Builders any different?   - I think not ! 

6.  There are other forums where there is a free and frank exchange of views in a positive way.

Just my twopence worth for what its worth!

Sandra

Well another wasted trip to RODA today, with this time the owner there to witness the issues

Block 78, the owner had wriiten to make sure that everything was in place for the completion next week, confirmed that the property had been cleaned and was ready,  so he made a special journey to carry out the checks

Arrived at the apartment to find that the AC was being fitted, ceiling had been removed, palce full of boxes and some of the kitchen cupboards had not been fitted, plus the property had not been cleaned 

Again outside there were cables everywhere where the lights had not been fitted and numerous trailing cables for the generators in the road

On the POA basis a colleague form another inspection company was inspecting and again found a property that, on the day of completion had not been cleaned and where he had the same issues with the lawyer present that I experienced last week and ended up having to argue about getting the defects listed. He is having to go back later today after the property is cleaned

If you are planning to visit to inspect please get RODA to confirm in writing that the property is cleaned and ready and perhaps ask them for photographs on the external halls and entrances if you are in blocks 70 onwards