Bad Experience with Stephan Arms Apartments in Dundee (Omaha, Nebraska)
This is 100% my opinion. Others may have had a different experience.
I am very disappointed in the service (or lack of) from Sherri at Stephan Arms Apartments.
I first called on a Friday afternoon while sitting in the hospital, waiting for my husband to get out of surgery. I found the apartment in Omaha on Craigslist and gave it a shot. We then scheduled an appointment to meet at the apartments the next day at 2:30.
The next day came and I arrived at the apartments before 2:30 and gave Sherri a call. She answered the phone like she didn’t know what I was talking about. She said “Ohh… I thought you weren’t interested anymore because you didn’t call to reconfirm before your appointment.“ I said, ”I’m sorry about that I didn’t know this was necessary.”
So we get into the apartment. She is a 60 something year old woman. She doesn’t even show me around. She stands in the kitchen. More weirdness. I state that both my husband and I are students. She doesn’t even respond. Do I sense some ageism??
So I say this is perfect, I will talk with my husband and look over the application and get back to you. He just had surgery so he couldn’t make it today. (He obviously couldn’t come because it was the day after surgery). My husband and I discussed it and decided to rent the apartment. We were back in town that Monday and called to see if there was a time to meet because we would like to rent the apartment if it was still available. She couldn’t meet that day because she was with her Granddaughter. We then asked if we could drop off the application and her response was “No, put it in the mail.”
We said nothing of when we were sending the application because we had to check on the amount of our student loans. She did not say when she needed the application by. The application was completed and sent Priority on Wednesday. The post office stated it would take two days, arriving on Friday. I called Sherri after I mailed them and she said “Oh, I thought you weren’t interested anymore because I didn’t receive the applications yesterday. Your husband said I would be receiving the applications Tuesday,” (Which he absolutely did not say that) I said,” Well, you said to put the application in the mail and we live in Des Moines. I mailed it priority today and you should receive it by Friday.”
Friday rolls around and I call Sherri to see if she has received the application. No answer. I leave a message.
Monday comes and we are back in Omaha for a post surgery appointment. My husband calls Sherri to see if she has received the application and if she was able to meet today. She starts raising her voice at him saying “Your wife said I was going to receive the application on Friday and I did not receive it until Saturday.” (Ok…. hm…we control the mail?) My husband asks if there were any other applicants (because we would understand if someone applied before us). She says, no I haven’t even opened up your application. She let it sit on her desk for two days and didn’t even have any other applicants. She continues on about…..
….you are not true to your word…
….. I don’t like the kind of people you are….
….. I am uncomfortable with people like you in my apartments….
My husband stated she handled this very poorly and asked for our application fee back.
I would love to tell her how I feel, to call her the “B” word, but I am a Christian…… that’s what kind of people we are Sherri.
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Here are a few responses from people who have googled this apartment and landed on my article.
I actually called her today about a 2 bedroom and she was very unresponsive and said she was out of town and to call her later this afternoon. I asked her what time was good for her and she replied “Well, I don’t know…” and that was it. I’m glad I read this because now it all makes sense!
OMG! I stumbled upon this review and I just had to say something b/c I had another experience to add (a short one but albeit crazy one):: I called this lady on Saturday and she never answered her phone (I thought okay she’s busy I get it). She returned a call to me on the following Monday and we spoke for a brief period of time about pricing and all of that business. I said something along the lines of “…when I called on Saturday about…” The woman then cuts me off in mid sentence and states as rudely as possible, “I never recieved that call!” I was like “…um then how’d you get my number.” She didn’t say a single word after that (not even heavy breathing)! I just told her never mind I’d look elsewhere in Dundee and hung up the phone (she never did speak again). I’m glad you didn’t rent the apartment! The woman truly is nuts!!!
Comment by Paige on 4 May 2010:
I HAD A TERRIBLE EXPEREINCE WITH HER! I know you posted this awhile ago, but I just stumbled upon it and want to say that I lived in her apartments a couple of years. She is very difficult to work with/ rude. She even would come in and inspect the apartments when we weren’t home to see if it was kept in good condition, which just weirds me out because it felt like a lack of privacy. She was just consistently rude. Hope you found a good place though!
Comment by Ivette on 30 June 2009:
What a horrible experience! I’m so sorry you had to go through that, especially with other things going on. Hope your hubby is doing better after the surgery!
Even though you really wanted this apartment, another one will come your way. I am sure of it! I know this doesn’t help but, Sherri’s apartment just wasn’t meant to be right now…
Comment by Trish on 30 June 2009:
Oh well, her loss right? That’s a tenant that she lost out on, and possibly even more if you talk about your bad experience more. Bad press tends to spread fast.
Comment by jenna on 30 June 2009:
I think you were probably right in the ageism. I used to work for a property management and that is absolutely ridiculous. I’m glad you aren’t wanting to move there anymore-I could only imagine what it would be like if something needed taken care of.
Comment by This Mom Erin on 30 June 2009:
Holy smokes, is this lady off her meds or what?!! She sounds like a real witch and makes me happy to be nowhere near Omaha. I know it is disappointing but you should be glad you didn’t rent from this nut bag. Imagine if you were ONE day late with your rent! Feel sorry for whoever actually does rent from her. Best of luck in your continuing hunt.
Comment by Emily on 30 June 2009:
Ya, we are in are early twenties. It is not like we are partying college students. We are just a young family!
Comment by Greg on 30 June 2009:
I think you should be thankful that you aren’t in those apartments. Could you imagine the angst if you ever needed something fixed or, God forbid, did something she didn’t approve of?
Comment by Cat @ 3 Kids and Us on 30 June 2009:
Consider it a blessing in disguise. Imagine what she would have put you through if you actually signed a lease. That lady is off her rocker!
Comment by Christy on 30 June 2009:
Wow, what a horrible woman! I couldn’t begin to imagine what a pain she’d be to actually rent from!
Comment by Tamara B. on 30 June 2009:
Warning this is a sign to not rent that apartment! So sorry you had to be put through that and hope your Hubby is doing better!
Comment by Chelsea on 30 June 2009:
I am currently going through a similar situation. At least you hadn’t moved in yet…
Comment by Susan on 30 June 2009:
Hmmmm, maybe a little discrimination going on. Did she know you had a child? Just curious. I wonder if someone a bit older called her what her actions would be or not be. Maybe the same way and just chalk it up to a big B and be glad you don’t have to deal with her “kind of people”.
Comment by Gena on 30 June 2009:
Wow so glad you didn’t sign a lease!
Comment by Letessha on 1 July 2009:
At least you know how she is ahead of time and didn’t move in. It’s probably for the best. My landlady is HORRIBLE and CRAZEEEEE!!!!
Comment by Beth on 1 July 2009:
I don’t suppose you would go to the head and complain? This is unacceptable and shouldn’t be tolerated. I used to mystery shop for apartment complexes and believe me I ran through a lot of ignorant people like this. Just think how she treats other families etc.
Comment by Lauren on 1 July 2009:
Like others have said, at least you found out beforehand what she was like! I’d be complaining to the BBB about her/her company. I cannot STAND it when someone treats me poorly when I am in the position to be their customer! Something much better will come along for you.
Comment by Rhonda Martin on 1 July 2009:
She actually did you a favor by showing her true colors before you signed a lease. Can you imagine being stuck there listening to her and having to deal with her for a year or more!?!! You did very well holding your tongue. Christian or not I think I would of had to say something snide like “That’s funny we were thinking the same thing about you AND I will expect the application refund as fast as we sent it to you. 3 DAYS~!!!!!” Keep Smiling people like that don’t deserve enough of your attention to get you down
Comment by Casey Becher on 5 July 2009:
My favorite part is when she complained that she received your application on Saturday instead of Friday, THEN she states that she never even opened it! She’s CRAZY!!
Comment by kari on 16 July 2009:
I actually called her today about a 2 bedroom and she was very unresponsive and said she was out of town and to call her later this afternoon. I asked her what time was good for her and she replied “Well, I don’t know…” and that was it. I’m glad I read this because now it all makes sense!
Comment by Nikki on 11 August 2009:
OMG! I stumbled upon this review and I just had to say something b/c I had another experience to add (a short one but albeit crazy one):: I called this lady on Saturday and she never answered her phone (I thought okay she’s busy I get it). She returned a call to me on the following Monday and we spoke for a brief period of time about pricing and all of that business. I said something along the lines of “…when I called on Saturday about…” The woman then cuts me off in mid sentence and states as rudely as possible, “I never recieved that call!” I was like “…um then how’d you get my number.” She didn’t say a single word after that (not even heavy breathing)! I just told her never mind I’d look elsewhere in Dundee and hung up the phone (she never did speak again). I’m glad you didn’t rent the apartment! The woman truly is nuts!!!
Comment by Paige on 4 May 2010:
I HAD A TERRIBLE EXPEREINCE WITH HER! I know you posted this awhile ago, but I just stumbled upon it and want to say that I lived in her apartments a couple of years. She is very difficult to work with/ rude. She even would come in and inspect the apartments when we weren’t home to see if it was kept in good condition, which just weirds me out because it felt like a lack of privacy. She was just consistently rude. Hope you found a good place though!
Comment by B on 26 May 2010:
I lived there too and had to comment! I think at the same time as Paige. That lady is a nut…to put it politely. I had to jump through hoops to lease from her. She was the WORST landlord EVER. If you ever needed anything it was always on her or her little granddaughter Ava’s time. When it came time to give me my deposit back when I moved out she took her sweet time. My lease stated she had 14 days to refund the money. On day 15 I called her and she told me I didn’t give her my new address so she could mail it to me. She said “I didn’t know where to send it, did you give me the right address?” She was such a liar! I told her if she didn’t write me a check that day I was going to take her to court for breach of contact. Happily, in one hour I had my check and never had to speak with her again! On a creepy note, I saw her slowly driving past my new house two weeks after I moved in! Stay away from those apartments.
Emily I hope all is well and wonderful w/you and your husband. Be blessed