CampingWorld has lost another Customer and refs for life!

Well, grant it, my business isn't gonna hurt these guys at all.
And I should have done more research,........but........

Long story short, I needed a generator quick, seen a nice one on CW internet flyer on sale. 2 year consumer warranty, quiet and good for camping, and they had one at the local store! Sweet, shoot down and talk to them about it. I was looking at the Powerhouse 2100 inverter remote start.
I got to the store and seems no one was able to come talk to me about generators. I asked the cashier to call someone to generators, but no one came.
Asked the cashier if they had the particular model in stock for the internet price, and she said yes! But the cashier could not tell me anything about it.
Got home and put in oil and fuel, read the instructions, and charged the battery for starting, and it fired up and ran OK.
Lets go camping!!

It was mid 40's the morning I tried the generator for the first time while camping. I used the remote! thats why I got it!
It turned over fired then died, repeat this about 10 times before it would keep running,....barely! Once warmed up, it ran like a top, and loud too! Dammit! It also kept popping off the overload trip, which I found out later, was caused when your water heater will kick to electric, even though you have the gas switched on! duh! That combined with the coffee maker and 12v converter charging up the battery, all at the same time was a bit much!

So, being a new generator, that is hard starting when cold, and a bit louder than expected, I thought I could return it and get something better.

Wrong!

Unknown to me was their return policy on generators.
Never saw it displayed, The cashier did not mention it that I recall, and not posted anywhere around the generator displays,...hmmmm

Oh, but they print it on you reciept, way down at the bottom,after you have handed them your money,.... inconspicuously!

Needless to say, when I called and spoke to the manager about returning the generator, First thing he asked is, didja see our return policy on generators? You can't get a refund or exchange on it!!

WTH? I have issues with this one, what do you mean I can't bring it back?
Then he says if there are problems with it, bring it in to the service department, if they see a problem with it, then we will "try" to take care of it. If they don't find any problem, then you will be charged for the inspection!!!!! HAA!!!

My chances are, it will fire up the first time everytime because it is in the 80's there, and they will say that is typically how loud that model is, and then charge me for what I already know!

Anyhow, I am still going round and round with these guys, but will not hold my breath for a change of heart from these guys.

Remember when there used to be a thing called customer service, and when customers are what make their paydays possible???

CW does not stand behind what they sell, the manager even told me that if he had talked to me that day I bought it, he would have steered me away from that particular model!! Where were you I asked him???
CW has no Integrity, dam shame. Will chalk this one up to one of life lessons, learned the hard way.
Lets see how long the mods will leave this one up?

Mike Retterer

30 Replies

karlandlois
Explorer
Jun 10, 2013
I can understand the no return policy. this is not about a generator, but shopping for a dress in an upscale department store. While trying the dress on, I noticed there were wrinkles around the armpit and also an odor. The tags were all in place, it was new. I took it out to the saleswoman and asked her if this dress had actually been worn, she told me that women buy dresses, tuck the tags in and then bring them back the next day. What???? Today when I shop it is unbelievable the details I look for. When my husband and I are looking at things, I will not buy anyone's return, nothing in an opened box or a look of use. This is what things have come to. I am not saying you don't have a valid reason for wanting to upgrade your generator, but a business has to set a guidline for all purchases and returns. I have been burned with not paying attention to details and getting my item
home and some little part is missing. It is a lesson well learned. Lois
wbwood
Explorer
May 31, 2013
powderman426 wrote:
Tough crowd. Let me sort of side with you.

I can certainly agree that they have every right to a no return policy, BUT it should be clear and up front. Clearly marked at the display, and once again explained to you BEFORE they take your money. Doing it this way should protect both parties and there should be no bad feelings. JMO

I think it's more of the consumers responsibility to inquire about the return policy. When you go to Walmart or the grocery store they don't tell you the return policy when checking out. They don't have it posted around every item.

My question is, was it not as loud at home when you cranked it up as it was when you were camping?

And sorry, there are no quiet gennies.
peaches_cream
Explorer
May 30, 2013
happybooker1 wrote:
Lowes, Home Depot, and Walmart will all take back used law mowers with gas/oil in them. It's a 30-day return policy for all three. Got through an entire summer without actually purchasing my own Lawnmower .

Hope everyone knows that's just a tongue-in-cheek joke there.

Sound like a "cheap" RVer too me, of which there are way too many.
christopherglen
Explorer
May 30, 2013
As soon as you put fuel/oil the item is considered used.
As far as the CA law, there is an exception:
(b) This section does not apply to food, plants, flowers,
perishable goods, goods marked "as is," "no returns accepted," "all
sales final," or with similar language, goods used or damaged after
purchase, customized goods received as ordered, goods not returned
with their original package, and goods which cannot be resold due to
health considerations.
happybooker1
Explorer
May 30, 2013
Lowes, Home Depot, and Walmart will all take back used law mowers with gas/oil in them. It's a 30-day return policy for all three. Got through an entire summer without actually purchasing my own Lawnmower .

Hope everyone knows that's just a tongue-in-cheek joke there.
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
May 13, 2013
downtheroad wrote:
vinmech wrote:
Thanx all for the honest replies, points are taken.

I was in a rush, did not do my research as I would normally do.
Have had the honda 2000 before, and loved it.Wish I had just purchased it instead. Hindsight is 20/20, that is why they don't make butt glasses!

I saw this as a middle of the road genset with remote start, which I have not seen before in this size. So I wouldn't call this a "$300 cheapo".

I took a chance on it, and will learn from it.
Used the correct multi/weight oil for my temp range.
It has automatic choke on it, which probably needs a little adjustment.

I too am coming back to rving after a being out of it for a while.
I remember the "old" CW. Much like the ol' sears and so on.
But I took things for granted and as such, am a little smarter now!

My point is, The return policy must be displayed either at each entrance to the store, at each cash register and sales counter, on tags attached to each item, or on the company's order forms, if any. A return policy printed only on a receipt, for example, is not sufficient.

If a store violates this law (California Civil Code section 1723), the purchaser can return an item for a full refund within 30 days of purchase.

However, my bad for not asking about it.

Good day all, and take care.

MR

Don't often see folks come back like this and 'man up.' It's refreshing to see someone take some responsibility...

and...I do agree with you about the return policy issue. Any outfit that sells 'no return' stuff should prominently and clearly display that policy - not just some fine print at the bottom of the page or receipt.
X2
downtheroad
Explorer
May 13, 2013
vinmech wrote:
Thanx all for the honest replies, points are taken.

I was in a rush, did not do my research as I would normally do.
Have had the honda 2000 before, and loved it.Wish I had just purchased it instead. Hindsight is 20/20, that is why they don't make butt glasses!

I saw this as a middle of the road genset with remote start, which I have not seen before in this size. So I wouldn't call this a "$300 cheapo".

I took a chance on it, and will learn from it.
Used the correct multi/weight oil for my temp range.
It has automatic choke on it, which probably needs a little adjustment.

I too am coming back to rving after a being out of it for a while.
I remember the "old" CW. Much like the ol' sears and so on.
But I took things for granted and as such, am a little smarter now!

My point is, The return policy must be displayed either at each entrance to the store, at each cash register and sales counter, on tags attached to each item, or on the company's order forms, if any. A return policy printed only on a receipt, for example, is not sufficient.

If a store violates this law (California Civil Code section 1723), the purchaser can return an item for a full refund within 30 days of purchase.

However, my bad for not asking about it.

Good day all, and take care.

MR

Don't often see folks come back like this and 'man up.' It's refreshing to see someone take some responsibility...

and...I do agree with you about the return policy issue. Any outfit that sells 'no return' stuff should prominently and clearly display that policy - not just some fine print at the bottom of the page or receipt.
vinmech
Explorer
May 13, 2013
Roundtwo-40 wrote:
Anyone else wonder what Costco does with the used returns?

They are called refurbished items around here, never buy a refurb! lol
vinmech
Explorer
May 13, 2013
Thanx all for the honest replies, points are taken.

I was in a rush, did not do my research as I would normally do.
Have had the honda 2000 before, and loved it.Wish I had just purchased it instead. Hindsight is 20/20, that is why they don't make butt glasses!

I saw this as a middle of the road genset with remote start, which I have not seen before in this size. So I wouldn't call this a "$300 cheapo".

I took a chance on it, and will learn from it.
Used the correct multi/weight oil for my temp range.
It has automatic choke on it, which probably needs a little adjustment.

I too am coming back to rving after a being out of it for a while.
I remember the "old" CW. Much like the ol' sears and so on.
But I took things for granted and as such, am a little smarter now!

My point is, The return policy must be displayed either at each entrance to the store, at each cash register and sales counter, on tags attached to each item, or on the company's order forms, if any. A return policy printed only on a receipt, for example, is not sufficient.

If a store violates this law (California Civil Code section 1723), the purchaser can return an item for a full refund within 30 days of purchase.

However, my bad for not asking about it.

Good day all, and take care.

MR
Roundtwo-40
Explorer
May 12, 2013
I didn't think you could return anything once you put oil and gas in it unless it was defective and even then they would try to fix and return it to you..