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creann's avatar
creann
Explorer
Aug 05, 2015

Mike Thompson RV

After a 7,700 mile road trip, took my trailer to Mike Thompson RV for repair work, under an extended warranty from Protective; will get into that issue in another post.

While at their facility, they backed another trailer into mine and broke the door to the outside kitchen, which was left open for repairs. When I spoke with service rep, Rob Knudtsen, concerning the price of the warranty repairs, he quoted me one price, two days later when I picked the trailer up, the price was $300 more. When I asked Rob Knudtsen about this, he said "you misunderstood me" and would not discus further the items or costs. Service manager MIA. So I paid the money vowing never to use their services again.

When I went out to do a walk-thru and inspect repairs, the door repair was dismal at best; bound up when opened, sealant putty looked as though it was applied by a third grader, door not centered in the frame. Al this time, Rob Knudtsen was not available nor did he offer to be apart of the walk-thru; service manager MIA. I think Rob Knudtsen knew what a bad job they had done on the door, they broke, that he was willing to let me go as a customer. Hooked up my trailer and drove home to remedy the repairs they botched. As I opened the outside door, the gas prop bracket broke, both had been bent from their negligence. Another reason they did not do a walk-thru.

Shoddy repair work, lack of detail, dishonesty, lack of integrity, noncustomer service. Probably would have had a better outcome with them had I had a more expensive trailer or coach, but a $25,000 travel trailer, which I paid cash for, did not merit me being a return customer. I should have raised hell but knew it was a lost cause so all I can do is relate my experience and hopefully find a more personable and honest repair facility in So Cal.
  • 2gypsies wrote:
    You should know that even though you buy from a specific dealer you can take it to any other dealer for warranty work.







    Not necessarily. There have been folks on this forum reporting the opposite. They get "you didn't buy it here and you are not getting it fixed here". This is the policy of many RV dealers.
  • If you take your RV to a different dealer for warranty work you may get put at the bottom of the list. All depends on how quick they get paid for warranty work from factory. Some don't get paid very quickly so don't like to mess with it.
  • mikensallyt wrote:
    wow. so sad.... well there's a sucker born every minute (I wonder who said that?). I had the same probs with CW, even though the warnings were out there, I gave them a shot. Good luck to you.

    I got to ask though .... how was your trip? That's a lot of mileage. Must have been great fun.


    I hear bad things from time to time about CW, but I must say all of my interactions with them have been fantastic. Although we bought our ERA from McClains, it is primarily because CW does not sell RVs in Dallas. I'll probably get my next RV from CW. I definitely get most of our camping and RV supplies from CW in Fort Worth or Denton. Happy travels, Mike www.era70x.com
  • I guess I was thinking more in terms of full-timers. They buy their RVs all over the country but when they need warranty work they surely don't go back to that dealer.

    We never had an issue regarding this. We called and made an appointment, arrived, had the work done, stayed overnight on their lot in our RV - sometimes even with electric, and were off the next morning...1-3 days, tops. Of course, we had both a Travel Supreme and a Newmar so perhaps that's the reason.
  • creann wrote:
    After a 7,700 mile road trip, took my trailer to Mike Thompson RV for repair work, under an extended warranty from Protective; will get into that issue in another post.

    While at their facility, they backed another trailer into mine and broke the door to the outside kitchen, which was left open for repairs. When I spoke with service rep, Rob Knudtsen, concerning the price of the warranty repairs, he quoted me one price, two days later when I picked the trailer up, the price was $300 more. When I asked Rob Knudtsen about this, he said "you misunderstood me" and would not discus further the items or costs. Service manager MIA. So I paid the money vowing never to use their services again.

    When I went out to do a walk-thru and inspect repairs, the door repair was dismal at best; bound up when opened, sealant putty looked as though it was applied by a third grader, door not centered in the frame. Al this time, Rob Knudtsen was not available nor did he offer to be apart of the walk-thru; service manager MIA. I think Rob Knudtsen knew what a bad job they had done on the door, they broke, that he was willing to let me go as a customer. Hooked up my trailer and drove home to remedy the repairs they botched. As I opened the outside door, the gas prop bracket broke, both had been bent from their negligence. Another reason they did not do a walk-thru.

    Shoddy repair work, lack of detail, dishonesty, lack of integrity, noncustomer service. Probably would have had a better outcome with them had I had a more expensive trailer or coach, but a $25,000 travel trailer, which I paid cash for, did not merit me being a return customer. I should have raised hell but knew it was a lost cause so all I can do is relate my experience and hopefully find a more personable and honest repair facility in So Cal.


    Why pay for warranty repairs?

    Very sad to hear of this happening to you, as a Good Sam member be sure to contact the Good Sam/Trailer Life action line and seek assistance.

    Note to self;
    Always inspect RV before payment is made.
  • lj2654 wrote:
    If you take your RV to a different dealer for warranty work you may get put at the bottom of the list. All depends on how quick they get paid for warranty work from factory. Some don't get paid very quickly so don't like to mess with it.


    X-2 My experience also........
  • mikensallyt wrote:
    wow. so sad.... well there's a sucker born every minute (I wonder who said that?). I had the same probs with CW, even though the warnings were out there, I gave them a shot. Good luck to you.

    I got to ask though .... how was your trip? That's a lot of mileage. Must have been great fun.



    Had a great time, 47 days, 18 states. reading for the next trip, maybe Sept.
    This my 5th trailer, never had a problem with other dealers, guess law of averages catches up to you and you become complacent. But then again this was Mike Thompson RV. they treat everyone the same Do they make that much profit from sales or does most come from repairs?
  • beemerphile1 wrote:
    creann wrote:
    After a 7,700 mile road trip, took my trailer to Mike Thompson RV for repair work, under an extended warranty from Protective; will get into that issue in another post.

    While at their facility, they backed another trailer into mine and broke the door to the outside kitchen, which was left open for repairs. When I spoke with service rep, Rob Knudtsen, concerning the price of the warranty repairs, he quoted me one price, two days later when I picked the trailer up, the price was $300 more. When I asked Rob Knudtsen about this, he said "you misunderstood me" and would not discus further the items or costs. Service manager MIA. So I paid the money vowing never to use their services again.

    When I went out to do a walk-thru and inspect repairs, the door repair was dismal at best; bound up when opened, sealant putty looked as though it was applied by a third grader, door not centered in the frame. Al this time, Rob Knudtsen was not available nor did he offer to be apart of the walk-thru; service manager MIA. I think Rob Knudtsen knew what a bad job they had done on the door, they broke, that he was willing to let me go as a customer. Hooked up my trailer and drove home to remedy the repairs they botched. As I opened the outside door, the gas prop bracket broke, both had been bent from their negligence. Another reason they did not do a walk-thru.

    Shoddy repair work, lack of detail, dishonesty, lack of integrity, noncustomer service. Probably would have had a better outcome with them had I had a more expensive trailer or coach, but a $25,000 travel trailer, which I paid cash for, did not merit me being a return customer. I should have raised hell but knew it was a lost cause so all I can do is relate my experience and hopefully find a more personable and honest repair facility in So Cal.


    Why pay for warranty repairs?

    Very sad to hear of this happening to you, as a Good Sam member be sure to contact the Good Sam/Trailer Life action line and seek assistance.

    Note to self;
    Always inspect RV before payment is made.


    I had to pay shipping on the parts that were replace. Protective, the warranty company won't pay shipping.

    Thanks for the note, that's my normal routine, this one got away from me but it only cost me $12 for the brackets and my labor; I'm retired, it gave me something to do.