NOTE: For those of you who work at Alliance 2020 and you believe any part of this review is in error, please private message me here on Yelp. I am happy to change this post to be as accurate as possible on behalf of the Yelp community.
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Update 2/07/2014, 3:03 PM
Rating back at 1, due to threat to sue and contacting my employer in attempt to rid of this post. Further harassment, threats or potential crimes will be met with not only legal action but information will be relayed to media outlets.
Details:
1. Said VP in Alliance 2020 has threatened to sue me for personal defamation.
-- This is in regards to the verbatim email quote I copy+pasted below, in conjunction with his name.
Email convo:
(name omitted):"I just spoke to the manager at the Tara apartments. He is going to call or text you so he can show you. I told him you are still liable on the lease but have a person who stepped in for you. In the event the tenant does not pay you would still be responsible on for the lease.
In regards to your statements on Yelp:
I want to be real clear with you! I plan to take any and all necessary actions to resolve the deformation of character you have posted on Yelp. I'm so (company name omitted) will not like you posting their name on Yelp nor will you current employer but maybe they will.
"
Me: "Hi (name omitted),
Thanks for going above and beyond for me. I have spoken to the manager as well and he'll show me the apartment today.
Since I've simply quoted your email, it does not constitute defamation. Please see definition: http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/defamation
However, I'll remove all names in Yelp review in the spirit of gratitude.
Thanks for your hard work,
Longfei"
(name omitted): "I still plan to take legal action against you."
2. Said VP in Alliance 2020 has contacted my employer without my express permission, in attempt to remove this post. (legal/illegal?)
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Update 02/07/2014, 2:30 PM
Because of this Yelp ad, I've received multiple emails from a VP in Alliance 2020, who dedicated his day to:
1. Cajoling me to take down this ad in its entirety.
2. Made all the calls to secure another apartment for me.
I've upped my customer experience review to 2 stars because despite the initial actions of a junior employee that caused me damage, a VP did step in and do everything in his power to rectify my experience.
I think this should serve as an example of the power of free speech and sticking up for your rights as a consumer.
Next steps should they come up:
http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/anti-slapp-law-washington
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Update 02/07/2014, morning:
1. At the time, I was on contract as a room mate in a different apartment. However, the other room mate was paying entirety of the rent. Effectively subleased.
2. A VP of company, who I cc'ed in emails, contacted me via email:
"Jiang,
The entire posting needs to be take down. The turn around time had nothing to do with you getting or not getting the apartment. Your landlord stated you are on a lease until June.
"
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Initial Post: 02/05/2014
Do NOT use these guys - Took 4 days by the time they finished. Apartment was already rented.
My experience:
1. Did not contact my employment reference.(To my knowledge)
2. Stated I was unemployed on credit report. (I am a marketing manager in a major internet retailer)
3. Lied about having contacted my manager when asked. (To my knowledge)
4. They ignore calls(6 calls, no callback).
5. Required escalation to fax an employment verification.
6. Multiple typos in final doc, ie: job start date
7. Lack of communication - I was forced to provide the same contact information multiple times, within 20 minutes.
8. Sent an updated credit doc with employment information 3 days late (4 whole days total)- apartment was already rented to someone else.
Their final recommendation(whether to rent) was the following:
"CONDITIONAL--BASED ON 8 MONTHS EMPLOYMENT HISTORY, LEASE EXPIRES JUNE 2014."
In summary, extremely poor customer experience. Do NOT trust and absolutely do NOT use these guys.
Feel free to reach out to me for further details. read more