Apartment Review for Hidden Lakes Apartments - Grand Rapids, MI

I was supposed to move into this apartment the beginning of May 2007. I met with the leasing agent and we had a very in depth conversation regarding washer and dryer hook-ups. I am a single mom and have 2 children, so having laundry in my apartment was essential to me. I was informed that my standard size washer and dryer would fit, so I decided on that unit, which was more expensive, because I could bring my W&D. I was shown the exact unit that I was going to move to, which was filthy at the time, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt, because someone has just moved out. The night I was moving, we discovered the W & D would not fit AND the place smelled so terrible of cat and dog urine, that my kids asked what the smell was! I was in the office as soon as they opened the next day to let the other leasing agent know the apartment would not work and I would like a refund of my $785 that I gave them in a money order. I was VERY polite and just informed him that I was told my W & D would fit and it doesn't. I was also told that I have 72 hours to cancel the transaction, so I was well within that time frame. I was in the office less than 24 hours after signing my lease. I had to wait until late the afternoon of the 5th before I got a call back from the leasing agent, who informed me the manager had to get in touch with the regional manager and would be in touch with me on Monday the 7th. Then I had to put something in writing to send to the regional manager and didn't hear from the office manager until Tuesday the 8th. I was told by the office manager that she needed to wait for my lease to be returned and she should have it by Wednesday the 9th, with no mention of having to wait for corporate to cut me a check for my refund! By Thursday the 10th in the late afternoon, I hadn't heard from anyone, so I sent her an email. By Friday morning, the 11th, I still hadn't received an email or phone call with an update. I stopped at the office that evening, but the woman who was working didn't know anything about the situation. She called the office manager, and once again I was told that I needed to wait until Monday the 14th. On Monday morning I received a VM from the office manager saying the corporate office "accidently" processed my paperwork anyway and they cut checks on Thursday, so she would follow up on Friday with them and I should have my refund by Friday or Monday at the latest. I was FURIOUS! I wanted the regional manager's phone number so I sent her an email to have her send it to me. This was the response that I received back from the Regional Manager :

Amanda-

My name is Larry Cradit and I'm the Regional Manager for Hidden Lakes Apartments. In response to your email I must say your impatience and lack of appreciation for being let out of a contract that you were bond to for a year is what I find ridiculous. Any refund that you are entitled to will be processed at a normal pace. Providing we have correct information concerning your forwarding address you can expect to receive information within the next 30 days.

So, first I was told I'd have my refund by Friday or Monday by the office manager, now the regional manager, who didn't even apologize for his company's negligence in processing my paperwork, was telling me I had to wait 30 days to receive "information." These people can't get their stories straight! Furthermore, why does it take so long for them to return my money to me? They didn't have to wait for a check to clear! I gave them certified funds! I finally got the number for Larry Cradit and he hasn't returned my call and I STILL don't have my $785 back!! DON'T RENT FROM HERE!! THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER NICER, CLEANER AND NEWER PLACES TO RENT FOR THE SAME PRICES!! I've learned that you get what you pay for......apparently that includes the management.