Consumers called KIRO 7, angry at a company that promised to help them find homes.

They say they paid good money, only to get an address for a burned-out apartment.

So KIRO7 Consumer Investigators took a camera to company headquarters to get answers.

Jasmine Taylor never thought it would be this hard to find a place to live. She needed an apartment that was affordable and she needed it fast.

"It's really frustrating and dishonest," said Taylor. "At the time we were fairly desperate for an apartment."

So she went online and found Affordable Rentals Northwest -- formally Global One Management, Inc. They're a Seattle-based apartment finder service that places ads on Craigslist.

"They had several listings online, so I called them up one day," said Taylor.

Chris Danielson also saw an ad for the company. He called the number and set up and appointment.

"They said they would work with an eviction and I said, 'Well, it's worth a shot,'" said Danielson. "They guarantee you to find a place within 90 days or they'd give you a pro-rated refund of $150 back."

Both Chris and Jasmine liked what they heard. They signed up, paid $195 up front and waited anxiously to be placed into a new home.

Niki Horace with the Better Business Bureau in DuPont, Washington, knows all about Affordable Rentals Northwest. The company has more than 30 complaints and has earned an F rating by the BBB.

"What's happening is they're supplying lists to consumers that are completely broad. They're not narrowed down. By their rating and by the number of complaints they've received, they don't seem like a reputable company," said Horace.

Affordable Rentals requires customers to show up at their office twice a week. They're handed a list of available properties and it's up to the customer to condense the information and find a rental that fits.

Taylor says she was recommended a burned-out apartment.

"It was disgusting. The apartments were torn down. They had feces all over them. They were a fire hazard," said Taylor.

She demanded a refund, but was told she wasn't eligible because she failed to show up to the Affordable Rental office twice each week.

Danielson had worse luck. He's been living out of his car and has still been unable to find a place to live. He, too, demanded his money back.

"They'll take your money and not give you what you need," said Danielson.

"What was their response?" asked KIRO 7 Consumer Investigator David Quinlan.

"You paid the $195. Too bad. 'Click,' and the phone hangs up," said Danielson.

Quinlan asked the Better Business Bureau to contact the company since Affordable Rentals didn't answer complaints.

When they didn't get an answer, Quinlan thought he would check them out himself.

Quinlan: "I'm David Quinlan with KIRO. We had some questions about your business and your poor rating with the Better Business Bureau."

Man at Affordable Rentals office: "OK, you can take a voice mail message off the camera."

Quinlan: "OK. I'm just curious --- the consumers say you never return calls, you don't have a Web site and there are no testimonials."

Man: "Once again, I'm going to ask you to leave my office."

Quinlan: "OK we'll leave, but you don't want to address these consumer complaints?"

Taylor never saw her $195 again. She eventually found an apartment on her own and recommends other apartment seekers do the same.

"It's not anything anyone should have to deal with. It's a waste of time, a waste of money and energy. Nobody needs to be that frustrated," said Taylor.

Affordable Rentals Northwest did refund Danielson $150. But there are still dozens of pending complaints out there including those filed with the Washington State Attorney General.

Those complaints are under review.

Web site: Better Business Bureau