If I had been told upfront what a long and tedious process it was to get approved at Pacific Tower, I would have gone elsewhere. The lady that took my initial application told me that it would take a few days to run the credit and background checks, which seemed reasonable. I told her that I was under time restraints- namely starting school and work the following week and needed to move that week-(this was on Monday) She did not indicate that there would be any problem with this time frame, she then told me to contact Gretchen at the building the next day. Bright and early the next day I phoned Pacific Tower and spoke to Gretchen who said she needed a copy of my Tax return from 2004- so I said I'd be down in several hours, which is what it took me to get there on the public trasportation system from where I was staying in Hillsboro. I got the necessary paperwork finished, and once again reiterated my time constraints to Gretchen, who said she would probably get the background check back on Wednesday or Thursday-this was Tuesday. I told her again that I needed to get moved by that weekend. She told me it was out of her hands in a very unconcerned manner. Later that afternoon, Julie from the background- check company called to ask some questions about my credit file and said that she would probably finish up the background-check and fax it back to Pacific Tower that night or the next morning. The next morning (Wed) I phoned Gretchen to see if she had received it- she hadn't. So I tried to phone Julie again- I was told she was off that day and given to someone else that said they were waiting for another check for rental history to come back-mainly waiting for my previous landlords to call them back with references. So I phoned my former landlords- they had not been contacted by julie (or anyone) regarding my rental history with them. So I gave them the the background check company's phone number and asked them to call for me- which they did. The Back-ground check company (julie) faxed the information to Gretchen on Wednesady afternoon. Gretchen did nothing- knowing that I was under pressure to get moved by the weekend. I phoned here at five pm on Wednesday and she said that she had received the background check back and that ALL she needed now was employment verification (no mention of needing that earlier) so I said I would pick that up and return it to her-thinking that was ALL she needed to rent me the apt. So I did- and when I brought it in to her, she said "OK, thanks-we'll get back to you and turned her back on me" I said I thought that's all you needed' She said "It is- we'll let you know, in a condescending tone" I said that I needed to know as soon as possible, she then told me that their internal compliance dept. now had to look at my application and approve it (no mention of this earlier). I left very upset and discouraged. I phoned the next day (Thursday)- Gretchen was very short and said that she couldn't do anything. So I waited and worried whether I was going to get moved in time. Friday morning came-still no call-so I called Pacific Tower again- just got the answering machine-I left a message. Noon came- still no answer from Pacific Tower. I decided to go there and sit and wait for an answer- as it was down to the wire and was getting no help from Gretchen at all. On the bus on the way there- I got a message on my cell phone from Gretchen saying- "I told you I would call you when I heard something, and I just got a fax back from our compliance dept. they need some corrections on your file- so I just faxed it back over to them- it may be today or Monday when they get back to me" I was very upset to say the least. So when I arrived at Pacfic Tower, I rang the office and there was no answer- so I waited. There were other people waiting outside also, they said "This is the hardest buiilding to get into" I said "Yeah, that's for sure. Gretchen finally came and let us in. I again explained the situation to her- her reply was- "it doesn't help for you to be putting pressure on me- I can't do anything" I asked her if she would call the compliance dept. and let them know that I would be wating in the lobby for an answer. She curtly told me to wait in the lobby. I waited in the lobby for 45 minutes- Gretchen came and told me that now they needed comfirmation of my student enrollemnt status! I told her I wasn't enrolled in school yet. So she told me that they couldn't rent to me until they had confirmation that I was enrolled in school! I asked her "So I have to be enrolled in school to live here"' This was getting ridiculus! She said Yes. I pulled out my cell phone to call the corporate management compnay (Bowden) Which manages the building. She then said "just a minute-wait in the lobby" So I left her office- she promptly shut the blinds. She appeared a minute later and said the Pat from the compliance dept. was on the phone and that I could talk to her on line one. I answered and told Pat I was not enrolled in school at this time. She stated that they would need verfication then that I was not enrolled!! I told her (Pat) that this had been a huge hassle and that I wouldn't go to school if I couldn't get into the building if I went to school- I needed a place to live- NOW! She stated because of Government regulations I would need something from the school that I attended last year (PCC) stating that I was not enrolled this year!! I gave up- I told her I would call the school. I finally got someone at the school to send Pacific Tower that I was not enrolled there currently. Pat had told me then I could have the apt. I heard the fax come through- so I went into Gretchen's office and asked her if she had what she needed. She said "yes, would you wait in the lobby- in a very rude tone again" I waited and waited- she did paperwork for other people that weren't there waiting, made phone calls and basically ignored me. She is the rudest person I have encontered in along time- if ever. After I poked my head in her office to ask if she had anything for me to sign- she asked if I would some back tommorow and sign the agreement!! It was all I could do not to scream at her!! I said NO- I told you I needed to get this done today!! She is totally unresponsive to customer needs- and should not be in a management position anywhere in my opinion. She is rude and incompetent. I would not apply to Pacific Tower unless you are ready to be put through hell for a week or two- I definately would not be moving today had I waited for Grethen. I am 42 years old and have rented many apartments in my life- and this was by far the worst experience I have ever had- not to mention the worst customer service experience I have ever had also. It was a NIGHMARE!!

Gary McClaskey (finally a tenant)

User Responses
From: daviddpo	Date: 12/19/2005
I experienced similar problems with Grechen (Grethen) in October, 2005. She should be fired. Instead Bowen Management moved her to another site. She is very obviously engaging in some sort of discrimination.
From: georgeofthedesert	Date: 04/24/2006
Thanks for your help. We were looking at this place from AZ and we will not apply here now. I thought a progressive state like Oregon, takes these types of managers to court?

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