Fidelity/First American bad experience- advice to file a claim?

[DianaMB333]

Hi.. I have been reporting a very bad experience with Fidelity (after receiving Disney waive it took them over 55 days to send closing docs, and communication was poorly managed)..

they agreed on giving the deposit back on Aug 19th.. Which was formalized through digital sign of docs sent by Title company; it is already the 28th and I have not received the funds and they are not answering mails or phones

I live overseas... would anyone know please what is the best way to file a formal claim and get the money back?

appreciate the guidance!

thanks

 

[sethschroeder]

Are you calling them during US operational hours? Dumb question but figured I would ask.

Have you tried calling the rep directly as well as the main company line?

Have you tried calling/emailing the Title company on the manner as well?

 

[DianaMB333]

Are you calling them during US operational hours? Dumb question but figured I would ask.

Have you tried calling the rep directly as well as the main company line?

Have you tried calling/emailing the Title company on the manner as well?

Yes to all.. the title company said that the broker is responsible

 

[CaliAdventurer]

Its not fidelity- its the title company you have a beef with. Fidelity only handles the contract and ROFL like a realtor, its title who deals with docs and closing. Is it FATCO? I have closed with them and one took 6 months and the other like 4. One was over seas which I get and the title office was in Hawaii but they didn't even tell me when it closed for like a couple weeks until I called. The other was domestic seller but still took FOREVER. They missed a page for us to sign and the seller took his time getting it back and on and on. TBH, I didnt care so much because I didnt need the points right that moment so I wasn't a very squeaky wheel. I had to get Bonnie involved a couple times to stay on title. Anyway, its a common theme here- the title co Fidelity uses- but you can request another. In the end, no one beats their prices.

 

[CaliAdventurer]

Yes to all.. the title company said that the broker is responsible

Docs come from title. The broker only handles the contract so I would lean on it being title. Funds go into escrow- the broker never touches them. What specifically did she say they need from Fidelity?

 

[Wedgeout]

Yes to all.. the title company said that the broker is responsible

My deposit check was written to the Title Company and not the Broker. Thinking it would come from them through your escrow process.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Yes to all.. the title company said that the broker is responsible

Yes, Like others have said, the title company has your money. I really encourage people to stay away from First American and tell your broker at the beginning that you want a different title co.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

Yep, not too happy with First American myself right now.

 

[DianaMB333]

Oki... but if nobody is answering... what else to do?

 

[sethschroeder]

Oki... but if nobody is answering... what else to do?

Sounds like the title company responded. Everyone is suggesting going back to the title company.

I would ask the title company if they are the one in charge of the escrow and if so based on the contract that was executed to give you your money back.

 

[davidl81]

Yes, title company is the issue. Personally I would change the title of your thread here because I do not think its fair to call this a scam on Fidelity

 

[DianaMB333]

I just got an answer.. the title company (first american) was running late with the refund, they sent it on the 24th -instead of the 19th as I was informed- and now I have to wait 5-10 business days -instead of the 48/72 hrs informed initially...

again lots of miscommunication issues has happened with them.. the worst possible experience!

 

[Wedgeout]

I just got an answer.. the title company (first american) was running late with the refund, they sent it on the 24th -instead of the 19th as I was informed- and now I have to wait 5-10 business days -instead of the 48/72 hrs informed initially...

again lots of miscommunication issues has happened with them.. the worst possible experience!

Positive outcome! Don’t lose trust in Fidelity. It’s that title company that brought on the bad experience. Best of luck on your next purchase experience.

 

[DianaMB333]

Thanks for the comments; being abroad with no answers is scary. Appreciate the support, hopefully no one else will have to go through it.

 

[Kickstart]

As someone who is in ROFR with a contract from Fidelity and using First American, I'm getting a little worried about how well things will go after ROFR (assuming I pass).

... and while I understand the "problems" are on the First American side, I wish Fidelity didn't suggest I use FA. Had I read the complaints about FA on this board before I made the offer on the contract, I would have chosen a different title company.

I feel Fidelity is deserving of some criticism here.... as they present FA as the first choice on the options for title companies to use, and don't provide any warnings about level of service.

 

[sethschroeder]

As someone who is in ROFR with a contract from Fidelity and using First American, I'm getting a little worried about how well things will go after ROFR (assuming I pass).

... and while I understand the "problems" are on the First American side, I wish Fidelity didn't suggest I use FA. Had I read the complaints about FA on this board before I made the offer on the contract, I would have chosen a different title company.

I feel Fidelity is deserving of some criticism here.... as they present FA as the first choice on the options for title companies to use, and don't provide any warnings about level of service.

I have used them they were fine just a little slow. Remember a company that is already slow during these times are going to be REALLY slow.

I would just be proactively contacting them and copy Fidelity on the chain. Even though Fidelity does not control it the Title company does not want Fidelity seeing customer upset about processes and possibly shifting title companies in the future.

 

[CaliAdventurer]

Thanks for the comments; being abroad with no answers is scary. Appreciate the support, hopefully no one else will have to go through it.

Totally feel for you! I hope you didn’t lose a contract you love. Having used Fidelity, I would use them again just for their prices and they do get the contract executed quickly but I would definitely demand a different title company. It’s a systemic problem apparently. I’m sorry this left you stressed and no closer to your DVC stay. Courage!!

 

[mlittig]

I had a HORRIBLE experience with First American Title company for one of my resale contracts It took them 7 WEEKS from when I passed ROFR to send me my closing document and this was a couple of years before Covid At the time, I was not aware that the buyer has the right to pick the title company and I would totally recommend NOT using First American Title Company

 

[soniam]

As someone who is in ROFR with a contract from Fidelity and using First American, I'm getting a little worried about how well things will go after ROFR (assuming I pass).

... and while I understand the "problems" are on the First American side, I wish Fidelity didn't suggest I use FA. Had I read the complaints about FA on this board before I made the offer on the contract, I would have chosen a different title company.

I feel Fidelity is deserving of some criticism here.... as they present FA as the first choice on the options for title companies to use, and don't provide any warnings about level of service.

If it helps, we had a good experience with Fidelity/First American. There were only 2 small delays. We got the closing docs while on vacation. My husband emailed them with a question about the FIRPTA for the seller and told them that we wouldn't be able to send back the docs until we returned home, which was before the 2 weeks after the docs were sent. While driving home from WDW, we got a call from Fidelity asking about the closing docs. I told her that we were on vacation and about the email communication with First American. We still hadn't heard from them. I called them right after talking with Fidelity. They had missed the email, since it came from my husband's account instead of mine. The only other delay was for the deed recorded. It recorded in a timely manner, but they hadn't told me. I called them, and they told me it had just been recorded the day before. That was a really minor delay. I think it just really depends. We don't need to make a reservation until December though and that's for our 11 month window. So, we have plenty of time, and I haven't really been antsy about it.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

I have purchased contracts from Fidlelity, it is the title company that runs slow. Yes Fidelities communication can be poor sometimes, but keep emailing or calling.