You don’t know how frustrating it has been to see this lift sitting under my window since last week:
I emailed and then volunteered in person that if no one from Windermere Commercial, RAFN, EK, GTS or the sign company was available that I’d be happy to remove the sign if they lent me the keys.
In other news my law librarian friend who is quite knowledgeable on all things legal mentioned that the idea of writing a letter outlining a reasonable time line for removal and then saying I would take it down and charge them would probably hold up well in small claims court.
It also sounds like it might be some time before they lease that retail space since they are asking $40/square foot. Apparently a number of Capitol Hill establishments have been interested (especially those like B&O facing eviction to make room for more condos/apartments) but have found that they aren’t budging on the high per square foot costs.
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19 responses so far ↓
1 Matt Gaines // Oct 10, 2007 at 3:33 pm
No one in their right mind would loan you the keys to that lift. You’re not qualified to use it and they’d be liable for any damages or injuries caused by you.
2 Matt Gaines // Oct 10, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Also, they said they’re removing it on 10/12. Continually harassing them about it isn’t going to help you. You’re just going to annoy them and make them even less likely to want to help you out.
3 40/sqft // Oct 10, 2007 at 4:27 pm
$40/sf for the retail?!
4 SeattleArchitect // Oct 10, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Dude, that sucks. If I were in your shoes, I would call up Ackerley Communications to find out what they charge for billboards, then send the owner of that sign a pro-rata bill for using your windows from the date of closing. Indicate to them that you will expect payment of the going daily rate plus interest, and make sure to copy the state Attorney General and your cousin Dildo the attorney, just to make it official. You could also check your condo declaration, no doubt that is in violation of the R+R’s which would result in a fine from the HOA association whom should be helping you with this. Bottom line is that they have prevented you from the quiet enjoyment of your property and owe you compensation for the advertising space and mental anguish of having to live behind a sign that says “YOUR BUSINESS HERE!”.
5 The Tim // Oct 10, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Too bad it’s not a Genie. I’d come over and do it for you. I’ve already got the key, and I’m certainly qualified.
6 jo // Oct 10, 2007 at 6:41 pm
i have some big, sharp knives. if its not down on the 12th ill come over and help you cut a big hole in it so you can see out your windows. seriously.
somehow i’d bet if the unit was still on the market and they had an interested buyer who wouldnt close on it, they’d be ready to take it down that very day
7 Peckham // Oct 10, 2007 at 7:07 pm
“outlining a reasonable time line for removal and then saying I would take it down and charge them would probably hold up well in small claims court.”
Your friend needs to research the concept of “self help,” which the courts frown upon.
OTOH, I’d love to see you go through with so that we can all be amused by the results.
8 Foster // Oct 10, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Litigate. Billable time can be recouped.
9 CG // Oct 10, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Glad to see first-year law student Foster back on the blog. But be wary of legal advice from 1Ls. Absent a contract spelling out that the prevailing party can collect legal fees, run-of-the-mill disputes that end up in court do not automatically provide for legal-fee reimbursement. My advice: contact a good hard-news journalist or columnist. E.g., Aubrey Cohen or Robert Jamieson, both of the P-I. The kind of consumer headache Matt is experiencing is ripe for media treatment, especially as it involves his home, supposedly a sanctuary of peace and solitude. The shoddy treatment Matt is receiving from the condo developer & real estate marketing team is emblematic of the we-have-you-over-a-barrel style of too many RE “professionals.” Once they have your money, they treat you like a rube. Keep on fighting for condo-consumer empowerment!
10 EconE // Oct 10, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Opening a can of “whoop-ass” could get you into trouble.
Can I suggest a nice “bottle of bitch”?
Bitch like an American! Not like a mild mannered Canadian.
11 seattle67 // Oct 11, 2007 at 7:42 am
This might make a better local TV news story than a newspaper story. It’s a nice visual story for them especially if you let them see what the sign looks like from inside your unit (make sure to walk the camera crew through the showroom if you do this!). You could even pitch this story as an example of how condo developers and marketing firms shouldn’t act.
12 Chris // Oct 11, 2007 at 8:17 am
you put “good hard-news journalist” and Aubrey Cohen in the same sentence….bwwahhh
13 Dave // Oct 11, 2007 at 8:54 am
I’d contact someone at the The Stranger offices - their favorite thing to do is rant about these sort of abuses wrought by big money Developer’s, etc. You would probably get at least a half page plus photo and be on their slog site within hours.
The good news is tomorrow is the 12th, so hopefully they will keep the promise they made in getting it down by then. You’ll finally have the ability to view a sunset if the clouds part again this year.
14 jo // Oct 11, 2007 at 9:09 am
i still say, one month too late
of all the months i want to have sunshine and fresh air it’s september
15 brian // Oct 11, 2007 at 9:25 am
your only takeaway from this situation is to always get it in writing. if you had done that everything else suggested would be on the table. as it stands, you have to play patience. i hope you don’t even remember this incident by halloween…
16 CHESSNOID // Oct 12, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Hi Matt,
Sorry to see that sign still up there. That really is poor customer service on their part. If it is not down by Monday, I would actually file complaint letters to BBB, Consumer Affairs, City of Seattle, and whatever is easy to do online. Then I would forward the email to the sales and building people to show that you are irritated enough that you will take action to make more work for them. They will not want any more potential problems or public records of complaints for a problem they can easily fix.
I hope they do take it down tomorrow. Come Monday, there should no more Mr. Nice Guy. Good luck.
Cheers!
17 nitsuj // Oct 13, 2007 at 9:47 am
“you put “good hard-news journalist” and Aubrey Cohen in the same sentence….bwwahhh”
first thing i thought as well! hilarious. that’s ridiculous about that sign, you should try and contact local newspapers, BBB, etc. and make sure you forward copies of your messages to the powers that be at the bldg.
18 CHESSNOID // Oct 14, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Just checking in to see if the sign is now down. (drumroll as we wait for the answer)…
19 Matt Gaines // Oct 14, 2007 at 6:02 pm
They moved it on Friday just as they said they would.
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