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vinmech's avatar
vinmech
Explorer
May 11, 2013

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

  • Hard to blame them for not doing returns on electrical equipment. Almost NOBODY ever does. Wound YOU have purchased a USED generator from them for a new generator price? Not too likely.
  • WyoTraveler wrote:
    I just looked up that Powerhouse 2100 generator at CW and Amazon. CW offers it for $724.99 and $60.00 shipping i.e. $784.99.
    ...


    In March, I got a Yamaha EF2000IS for $891 shipped. It took me 4yrs to learn my lesson. Some gennys just look quiet.

    You too can buy cheap and buy twice! :)

    HTH;
    John
  • What the others have said. Once you put oil and gas in it you own it, they can't take it back and resell it as a new unit.
    I work for an outdoor power equipment distributor, we run into this all the time with the box stores.Once they take it back in exchange they become the second owner and factory warranty will not cover the product. They should either repair it and submit a warranty claim or send it to an authorized service center on your behalf.
    If you are unhappy with the noise level that is too bad, you should have done your homework. A reputable outdoor power equipment dealer would go through that with you before purchase. However they don't sell 300 dollar generators so the choice is yours.
  • I just looked up that Powerhouse 2100 generator at CW and Amazon. CW offers it for $724.99 and $60.00 shipping i.e. $784.99. What a deal. You could have bought the same generator at Amazon for less than $671.00 got free shipping and a good return policy if it didn't work. Always check others before CW. Unless you got some super deal on it. Amazon would have taken it back if it didn't work and paid for return shipping on an item that didn't work correctly.

    I still don't think this is a CW problem with the generator. I just think you could have done better buying elsewhere.
  • Sorry But I have to side with CW on this one.
    1- You bought a cheap generator and it would not pull what you wanted it to do. You did no research.
    2- It was louder than you wanted. Do you understand DBU ratings? No research.
    3- Did you put in the correct oil or check for choke controls? Check with the manufacter for help on starting problems. JMO.
    How do they know you didn't just want it for the weekend?
  • The no return policies for generators started with the Y2K scare and everyone ran out and bought a generator just in case then tried to return them when nothing happened.
  • pretty standard return policy for generators.
    Costco is the only place I know that lets you return them.
    You bought a cheapo generator and it will perform to what you paid for.
    Yes they could have had more staff to assist you, but I would not think the folks at camping world have ever heard the gen run to tell you how loud it is.
    All the information they will know is right on the box for all to read.

    Paul
  • First, my humble opinion. Your problem may or may not be a CW problem. If you are having a problem running cold I would check out the manual and call the manufacture. I suspect it is the oil you may be using. My Onan generator says what oil I should use for certain temps. My Onan may not be the same as your brand but as temps go down Onan suggests using like a 10w-40 Vs a 30 weight oil. You might try a multi weight oil that your manufacturer suggests.

    CW: Camping World may not need your business. BUT!!!! Camping World didn't link up with Good Sam because business was super. If Camping World could keep on collecting members without Good Sam that is what they would have done. JMHO. Camping World is struggling with competing with Amazon and other web businesses just like Sears and J.C. Pennys. Their attitude for years has been all these people buy from us and we can continue business as usual. Over charge, and bad service because they are our customers. Oops! Not working out too well because of the internet. I got out of RVing for a while. Once back in I have shopped at CW. Wow, things have changed. CW puts out some come on sales that don't make profits but overall they are sliding. Most of the things I have recently purchased have been returned. Note, return policy changes. The things I have purchased and kept have been basically items like insulated vent covers, tubes of chalking, water hose, etc. Things I could have purchased for the same price elsewhere. They just work no matter what. CW was just convenient. So bottom line. Do they need your business? You bet they do. The days of RVers buying a $150K MH and just walking in CW and paying top dollar are gone. As far as their service department? Never been there. But I have seen enough on all the forums that I'll just pass them by. As time goes by CW will change. Or maybe not. Sears hasn't changed neither has J.C, Pennys. How much do you buy there. These are all just my humble opinions, surfing the net and watching the stock market.

    All that said I still think your problem of the generator running at low temps may be oil viscosity.

    What brand generator did you purchase and what oil at what temps do they recommend?
  • I guess in good faith CW should work with you....BUT.

    CW also needs to protect themselves from those who would 'buy' a generator, use it for a camping trip and then bring it back for a complete refund - knowing full well that they never intended to keep it in the first place...
    They needed a genny for one trip only and used the "return" scam.
  • You have stated that CW: Has no integrity Nothing you typed demonstrates this.
    Has no customer service Where are they lacking?
    Won't take the gen back You knew or should have known
    the return policy
    I see nothing wrong with CWs business practice in this matter.

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