While press releases (PR) often bring useful information, a media release can be used to peddle fake or problematic news about – whatever.
In this case the whatever involves the manufactured home industry.
The apparent targets are investors, the media, housing professionals – and through them, others.
As a disclaimer, the Daily Business News research on these alleged, so-called researchers is not yet completed. But we have enough in hand to raise the warning flag, now.
MH Industry Professionals React to “Researchers,” Report
The Daily Business News has had responses from the presidents of public and private companies being reported on by Absolute Reports.
So far, not one has told MHProNews that they’ve heard about them, and they’ve said they’ve not been contacted about any such research.
Contact with that Firm…
MHProNews spoke with Aniket Chavan, in Business Development for the operation. and then a gentleman who identified himself as a director/top manager with that firm. His name, he said, is Ameya Piangley.
When MHProNews asked Piangley how could they do research on an industry, and not get the terminology correct? The “director” had no good answer.
This publication asked Piangley, how could you be doing a report on mobile homes when there’s been no mobile homes build in the U.S. in over 41 years? Piangley’s reply was “We [meaning Absolute Reports] may not know as much as you [i.e.: MHProNews] do” about the industry, and then a long explanation of all that they claim to do.
Note that we disclosed that we were the industry’s top trade publisher, and would be doing a report.
We encouraged Piangley to get a good answer, and follow up with us via email.
So far, nada. Isn’t that also a red flag?
Possible Fall Outs from Any MH Industry Focused Scam
While reports on larger or publicly traded firms can often be legitimately obtained, data on independent producers – while accessible – is clearly not as easy as for a public company.
Given how widespread the misuse of terminology is about manufactured housing, it is possible that they will successfully sell information that may prove to be false, incomplete, misleading or inaccurate. That in turn could have consequences that would not likely be favorable to the industry.
Brief Segue
Per the company’s representatives, other companies besides the ‘top 5’ shown are supposedly part of their alleged ‘research and report.’ So it is possible that every HUD Code producer is part of their work product.
An interesting side note on this is the inclusion of Sunshine Homes in their listing.
An industry producer and professional recently told MHProNews that “The video interviews, and those ads sponsored [on your site] by Sunshine Homes has made them the most visible independent producer in all of manufactured housing.”
Our thanks to the Sunshine team – and all our sponsors and clients – for making our pro-industry, pro-growth work possible. The bigger thanks for all is that they have said on video that they’re growing at twice the pace of the industry at large.
The Bottom Line with Absolute Research?
Their website looks pretty good at a glance, but there are warning signs, like those noted above.
If the company was legitimate, one would think that they would have rapidly followed back up with MHProNews, knowing – because we told their director/manager – that we are planning this report.
Proceed with caution, it may be a scam. If it turns out to be legit, we’ll do a follow up.
Until then, “Caveat emptor. Buyer, beware.”
UPDATE –
News Tip On Other MH, Other Companies Including in Problematic, Potentially Scam Report
Per a reader, this information above also appears to be from the same problematic company.
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