Camping World Tampa has TERRIBLE service
After researching and shopping central Florida for the last year, we found "our" coach at CW Tampa....we visited the location several times and were impressed with the large volume of business they ha...
Forum Discussion
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.
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.
