Camping World Tampa has TERRIBLE service

One post and gone......

In 2007, I purchased an entry-level DP from Camping World in Lakewood, NJ. If I could have constructed a nightmare, it couldn't have been worse.

The service department was empty. I had a broken window that wouldn't open, and a crack in my rear bumper discovered during the PDI. I was stupid and foolish enough to take delivery with a "We Owe" form.

I dropped it off, only to return a month later when they called and said that "all was fixed" only to find that nothing had been touched. They had so much turnover in the service area it was ridiculous.

I ended up utilizing a Winnebago rep visit the Lakewood location and to point me to Tom Schaeffer's in Pennsylvania where the coach received a complete "go over" and everything (and I mean everything) was FIXED top notch. I have since used Tom Schaeffer's for everything and will be buying my next coach from them (even if they are a little more expensive on the front end). Stay away from "high volume" sales places that simply offer the sales experience. These are rolling houses and stuff WILL go wrong. Trust me. I've now owned a couple and stuff is NEVER 100% right. The key is to USE IT HEAVILY during the warranty period and get your issues listed and resolved each trip. It normally takes 2-3 solid usage trips to get the bugs worked out (adjustments, items settle, things loosen, etc.). It's the nature of the beast. Go where you get good, competent service.

The initial sale is only part of the deal. Even if you pay a few grand more at the outset, a "high volume" sales environment where service is secondary is not worth the headache. Trust me. I've lived the nightmare.

Example at Lakewood CW: I had a rattle above my TV (this was an older 2007 unit purchased new, but had the last of the tube TVs in the overhead). I know these things rattle, but this TV cabinet squeaked like CRAZY. I told them about it, and they drove wooden SHIM blocks above the TV to wedge it in, causing the cabinet and body of the TV to BOW outward!!!! This was one area that Schaeffers completely replaced and fixed correctly.

The entrance handle mounted to the dashboard for climbing the stairs loosened. Rather than drive the proper screw, CW lifted the whole dashboard on an angle and drove a new screw hole in resulting in a crooked dashboard. It was HORRIBLE. Tom Schaeffer's rectified it.

Tom Schaeffer's stands behind their service on a new coach and your walkthrough is thorough. I asked tons of dumb questions and they were patient and didn't let me leave until I understood. They'll also put you on the phone with their mechanics when someone stupid like me blows a circuit or something. They are the ONLY dealership I'll deal with. On my next coach, I have received offers that are nearly $5-8k less, but I won't take them. I'd rather have competent service supporting me than a "lot" that focuses on sales volume.

Yes, getting a good deal is important, but understand what comprises the term "deal". Sure, you can save money on the front end, but your ownership experience will be miserable.

BTW, there are good Camping World locations and the place in Lakewood has had alot of turnover and new management. This was 7 years ago and the place was undergoing alot of changes in personnel, so I probably just purchased at a bad time. Their store / staff have been helpful ever since when I've gone in there for odds / ends.

My daughter bought a TT at the last RV show here in Jacksonville Fl. She told them she did not want the one that every one has walked in. They told her no problem they had one back at the store just like it.
When we went to pick it up they took us to the one that was at the show. We found out that the one that was hers was behind that one. After doing the PDI on that one we went to look at the one that was hers. It was not exactly as the one at the show. After talking to many people I got involved and said get the manager. I told him to make the one that was hers to make it exactly as the one that we saw at the show. After a few words he agreed otherwise I told him my daughter would walk if things were not made right.

Sorry for your problems with the Camping World of Tampa (Dover.) My experiences have been the total opposite. I have dealt with them since before the store moved to Lazy Days area and have had two VERY positive experiences at the Dover Camping World. Hopefully all will turn out good and you can enjoy your RV.

Never accept any RV or give them money until every thing is right. It is the cardinal rule of RV buying.

Was the RV new or used? I presume used with the comments you made about them not wanting to fix every little thing. Did you get the list of things wrong in writing and signed by the dealer that they would take care of the items? If not, then I would agree with the dealer somewhat because you could keep coming back and wanting things here and there done as you find them or come up with them. If it's a new unit, the. Yes they need to fix the issues. At least what the manufacturer will approve.

Don't ever take a unit that isn't working properly and items fixed or without a written and signed contract that they will fix the items by a certain date.

And being newbees is not an excuse to be treated otherwise. If you fail to do your research, no matter what it is, then it's mistakes you learn from.

My experience has been that office folks give the PDI's. Some are knowledgeable and some are not. Techs are working in the shop where they earn money for the owner.

There is a category on this forum for "Camping World Service and Installation" and I would post this info there. Seems like they try to help folks.

On the positive side CW is still trying to work with you .. so your issues might yet get resolved. It's unfortunate that you tend to get better service before you write the check than after .. that's probably not unique to RV's but we deserve better as our check often is a BIG CHECK. My own experience with CW is mixed .. they have dropped the ball on several occasions but each time when I made a stink someone eventually stood tall and fixed it (usually by cutting the fee). Everything considered I still use CW.

nowawannab wrote:
Just the other day I received an e-mail response that he was calling my land line and couldn't reach me......everyone at CW had our cell numbers, but didn't utilize them.

Well, obviously whoever wrote the E-mail didn't have your cell phone number- presumably you responded and corrected that.

But one has to wonder: where'd he get the impression that your landline number is for contact if not from you????