What your opinion of buying a MV from camping World?

When I first started looking for a Camper I went to Tom Johnson RV in concord NC.

Lies, lies lies and more lies. Will never buy anything from that place and so incredibly happy I did my own research and bought my fifth wheel from a private party.

Did you try any other dealers? What part did they lie about? We all know that you have your eyes wide open when going to dealers, but was wondering what in particular set you off at Tom Johnsons.

Tom Johnson, PPL, Camping World, every other dealer on the Planet....It all sounds about the same. If it's not in writing, it never happened. If it is in writing then it's a deal you should be able to deal with. Why didn't you get it in writing?

When I first started looking for a Camper I went to Tom Johnson RV in concord NC.

Lies, lies lies and more lies. Will never buy anything from that place and so incredibly happy I did my own research and bought my fifth wheel from a private party.

Slimebags.

willald wrote:
Some folks were talking previously about Tom Johnson Camping in NC, and how they are now owned by Camping World, and how they've gone downhill as a result: I have to chime in on that.

We have known Tom Johnson for years, we live not far from there. Yes, they HAD a great reputation, and we loved doing business with them. Service, parts was always great, and we almost bought an RV from them a few times.

But, we too, have personally witnessed how they went downhill fast after CW took them over. Just a few weeks ago, I had to replace the motor on my A&E power awning on our RV. Called them up, gave them the information about the awning, asked if they could get the replacement motor for me. They get the info, get my # and say they'll research and call me back. I get a call 10 minutes later, and their parts person tells me that my awning, and its motor, are OBSOLETE, and can not be purchased ANYWHERE, anymore!! A&E quit making them, I'm just out of luck and have to buy an entire new awning, can't get just the motor assembly!

I told her, Ummmmm....You do know this is the exact same awning that A&E is STILL making and putting on brand new RVs, and you have a whole lot full of RVs with the exact same awning on it, right? And, that I can name off a half dozen other RV parts retailers that I've already talked to that have this motor, right? And, I've also already talked to A&E, and they have this motor, too, and are willing to sell me one also, right? Are you still going to sit there and tell me the part is obsolete, or would you like to go back and actually research it this time instead of taking the lazy way out?

Well, she stuck to her line of total bull. I told her, that I think its a crying shame what CW has done to your dealership, and ended that call. Ordered the motor from another RV parts retailer (Bill's RV appliance out of Indiana), had it at our doorstep in a few days.

We are sooooooo done with that place, CW has ruined them like they have so many other RV dealers. And I won't even get into the horrible experience my brother in law had a few years ago when he made the mistake of buying his 5th wheel RV from another CW location.

Similar experience on ours. The Dealership used be a K&C RV and we loved their massive parts department, and they were a reputable Dealer. Now that CW has taken over, I think some of the salesman are still around, but the parts department and service bays have been taken over by the rental RV side of CW and CW came in with their own parts system based on their traditional accessories store.

One of our ceiling fans did not come on when we purchased, and that was on the hit list to fix. I got a call that said the fan is obsolete (ours is a 2013) and they can't get them anymore and that we will need to install a new Fantastic Fan instead. I thought it odd, but told them to go ahead. I got a new fan with a remote - great, but I also have a switch that doesn't do anything now and they installed the fan but put lap sealant around the maxicover instead of the fan! Fortunately I replaced the fan covers shortly after we bought it and noticed the mess they made, and then I find out the factory fans are available through the Winnebago store - on Amazon even. I would have much preferred the factory fan rather than the retrofit mess they did.

One of the many issues I had with them, and for this one I felt I was really handed a line of bull, because it's easier for them to fill the role as CW accessory store than to be a real manufacturer rep they should be.

Some folks were talking previously about Tom Johnson Camping in NC, and how they are now owned by Camping World, and how they've gone downhill as a result: I have to chime in on that.

We have known Tom Johnson for years, we live not far from there. Yes, they HAD a great reputation, and we loved doing business with them. Service, parts was always great, and we almost bought an RV from them a few times.

But, we too, have personally witnessed how they went downhill fast after CW took them over. Just a few weeks ago, I had to replace the motor on my A&E power awning on our RV. Called them up, gave them the information about the awning, asked if they could get the replacement motor for me. They get the info, get my # and say they'll research and call me back. I get a call 10 minutes later, and their parts person tells me that my awning, and its motor, are OBSOLETE, and can not be purchased ANYWHERE, anymore!! A&E quit making them, I'm just out of luck and have to buy an entire new awning, can't get just the motor assembly!

I told her, Ummmmm....You do know this is the exact same awning that A&E is STILL making and putting on brand new RVs, and you have a whole lot full of RVs with the exact same awning on it, right? And, that I can name off a half dozen other RV parts retailers that I've already talked to that have this motor, right? And, I've also already talked to A&E, and they have this motor, too, and are willing to sell me one also, right? Are you still going to sit there and tell me the part is obsolete, or would you like to go back and actually research it this time instead of taking the lazy way out?

Well, she stuck to her line of total bull. I told her, that I think its a crying shame what CW has done to your dealership, and ended that call. Ordered the motor from another RV parts retailer (Bill's RV appliance out of Indiana), had it at our doorstep in a few days.

We are sooooooo done with that place, CW has ruined them like they have so many other RV dealers. And I won't even get into the horrible experience my brother in law had a few years ago when he made the mistake of buying his 5th wheel RV from another CW location.

usersmanual wrote:

Mile High
I assume you are talking about me - a guy who actually bought a MH through them, and you are judging my judgment because you bought a few things out of their catalog.

A praise for them gets a "good fair post" from you. A complaint about them gets "few sour grapes". Well read on friend, I'm not the only sour grape out there.

It's people like you that make the forums pretty useless sometimes. It empowers anyone to flap their jaws. In the short time you've been on here, you've proved to be kind of a Type A yourself, but different A than you might be talking about.

Ahh very classy post I guess no one is allowed to disagree with you? is that the message.
You say and I quote:It empowers anyone to flap their jaws.
well that's obvious because that's exactly what you are doing with this ridiculous rant of yours above

I think you went a little beyond disagreeing with me! Calling me out as Type A sour grapes - but it doesn't matter, I have my experience and I couldn't care less how it impacts you - in fact nothing would give me more joy than to have you sucker in to CW yourself so you can get an opinion of your own that actually has a basis.

Mile High
I assume you are talking about me - a guy who actually bought a MH through them, and you are judging my judgment because you bought a few things out of their catalog.

A praise for them gets a "good fair post" from you. A complaint about them gets "few sour grapes". Well read on friend, I'm not the only sour grape out there.

It's people like you that make the forums pretty useless sometimes. It empowers anyone to flap their jaws. In the short time you've been on here, you've proved to be kind of a Type A yourself, but different A than you might be talking about.

Ahh very classy post I guess no one is allowed to disagree with you? is that the message.
You say and I quote:It empowers anyone to flap their jaws.
well that's obvious because that's exactly what you are doing with this ridiculous rant of yours above

usersmanual wrote:

skrams wrote:
We bought ours from them, from the Hamburg, NY store. We've used them and the Rochester location for service, and had no issues with either of them. We would certainly consider CW again when we replace our current.

good fair post. trust me if CW was even 1/2 as bad as a few sour grapes here contend they would be out of business
the one poster reminds me of the A type people whom hate GM or ford
and think because they had a bad experience in their mind everyone should believe them and shun GM and ford to appease them

I assume you are talking about me - a guy who actually bought a MH through them, and you are judging my judgment because you bought a few things out of their catalog.

A praise for them gets a "good fair post" from you. A complaint about them gets "few sour grapes". Well read on friend, I'm not the only sour grape out there.

It's people like you that make the forums pretty useless sometimes. It empowers anyone to flap their jaws. In the short time you've been on here, you've proved to be kind of a Type A yourself, but different A than you might be talking about.

The only thing about any deal on a MH is whether you are happy. If you are asking about warranty support, get it in writing or it does not exist.

Personal experience - wouldn't buy anything from or use service at CW in Dover FL near Tampa. Would suggest you stay far away. Camping World's service in the Bartow location is awful - never bought anything there.