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F. Business Practices
1. Products
Over the years, petitioner has been a dealer of about 20
different brands of mobile homes. In 1995 and 1996, petitioner
carried the Fleetwood line of mobile homes as its primary product
offering. Fleetwood manufactures price-competitive, high quality
mobile homes. Fleetwood dealerships generally are very
successful.
During the years in issue, petitioner did not have a
franchise agreement with Fleetwood, nor did petitioner receive
any market protection from it. Indeed, there was another
Fleetwood retailer located “almost next door” to petitioner.
For 1995-1996, petitioner was ranked number 36 of Fleetwood
retailers in the nation. For 1996-1997, petitioner was ranked
(1) the top Fleetwood retailer in Louisiana, and (2) number 13 in
the nation.
2. Financing
Since 1991, petitioner has offered financing to customers
who Jack describes as “people that do not conform to the average
lending institution.” Jack managed this loan portfolio for
petitioner and also served as the underwriter for each of the
loans. Petitioner has extended more than 200 loans as part of
its financing endeavors. Of this number, only three failed, and
only one resulted in a loss to petitioner. Petitioner’s mobile
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