Metropolitan Real Estate

Review: On October 22, 2013 I was interested in renting a property marketed through Metropolitan Real Estate ("MRE"), however, the asking rental price was high for the house so my realtor called to see if the owner would be interested in renting at a reduced price. The MRE representative said that they could not take the offer to the owner unless we filled out an application. The application consisted of a $35/per person credit check and a $450 earnest deposit. I paid $70.00 for the credit check and gave a $485 earnest deposit. Later I was asked to give the most recent pay stubs, I did that as well. I did all of these things not evening knowing if the owner would in fact reduce the rental price. After all that, the owner did not accept the reduced offer. (Which was fine.)

The reason for my complaint begins now. [redacted] and [redacted] are in the underwriting department of MRE and both of them have ignored EVERY email I've ever sent requesting information about the company, including emails asking for my earnest deposit back. Per MRE's own paperwork, if the owner declines your earnest deposit is returned "up to 5 business days" I am now on business day 9 and have not received my earnest money back. On Monday, November 4, I waited on hold for 22 minutes to speak with [redacted], I explained to [redacted] that the paperwork states the earnest money should be returned within up to 5 business days. [redacted] placed me on hold to contact the finance department to check the status of my earnest deposit. [redacted] said the check would be ready in the morning (11/5) or at the lastest Wednesday (11/6). I have sent emails asking for status, I have telephoned more than 10 times, everytime I call I get voicemail that states these mailboxes are full and cannot accept messages, you have to call back. I've left a message for the receiptionst asking for status because I could not get a hold of the receiptionist, and haven't had luck with her any of the above. I would not recommend this company to anyone. They don't honor the terms in their own paperwork and they are nonresponsive to simple requests. I can't imagine if I had a probable with a rental house and these are the people I would have to go through in order to get any assistance. I have been nothing but respectful and professional with these representatives from MRE and in return, so far I'm out $485.00 that they owe me.Desired Settlement: I want the $485.00 that is owed to me. At this point they should have to pay me interst for every day after the 5 business days that their own documentation provides for. I have wasted a ton of my own time, my realtors time and have nothing to show for it.