I dropped my RV off at the repair facility for work. While it was at their facility, rodents chewed through the wiring for the brakes and battery. I thought that since it happened while they had custody, they would be responsible for paying for the repairs. They've agreed to knock $100 of the repair bill, leaving me with the balance of $400. I realize that it's hard to prevent this kind of thing, but I figured they would pay for it. I've dropped over $4000 at their place over the last year.

were the rats their pets? if not, they are not responsible.bumpy

I have always thought the, "not responsible," disclaimer is wrong and should not even be legal. But, I'll bet that a sign similar to this was posted somewhere....and I'll bet you signed some fine print when you dropped off your rig...Again, I hate it.

Bumpyroad wrote:were the rats their pets? if not, they are not responsible.bumpyNow of course if you could prove that they knew about the problem, and did nothing about it, then, well, maybe they could be found to be responsible.....okay, let's see, that took 5 minutes, so my bill will be $85.60. Thank you

Those signs mean squat. The repair place must take reasonable means to protect your property. If they knew that they had a rat problem and didn't abate it, a court would side with you. The problem is reality steps in.... they'll point to their sign and most people will think it means something. Many places will dig in and not do anything for you, then you have to decide if you want to take it to small claims court. Best way is to explain the situation in a calm and intelligent manner, and you'll find out if the repair place does the right thing or not. Explain how you have dropped over $4k at their place, and will continue to use them in the future. If its apparent that they are not going to give sufficient relief, you can always escalate the situation. Is there a local television station that has a crew that works on investigating stuff like this? In Toledo, we have 2 TV stations who love stuff like this. I used one of them several years ago when Menards tried to keep $300 of mine (long story). When TV-11 called their corporate HQ, the local store was very happy to give me my $300 cash back. Just a thought....A $100 back on a $500 bill is a good start, offer to be happy if they meet you in the middle and pay half.

mabynack wrote:I dropped my RV off at the repair facility for work. While it was at their facility, rodents chewed through the wiring for the brakes and battery. I thought that since it happened while they had custody, they would be responsible for paying for the repairs. They've agreed to knock $100 of the repair bill, leaving me with the balance of $400. I realize that it's hard to prevent this kind of thing, but I figured they would pay for it. I've dropped over $4000 at their place over the last year.If you can prove they have a rat problem (check local health dept violations) OR prove the damage didn't exist before you brought it to the shop (Have pre-turning the keys over to them photo?) then they are responsible for the full cost of replacing the wiring IMO. Have you discussed this with your insurance company already? HTH

Whose Responsible? | Good Sam Community

noplace2
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
darsben1 wrote:
Not everything bad that happens is someones fault

DING DING DING We have a bingo!
v10superduty
Explorer
Sep 01, 2016
mabynack wrote:

I've been using them for the last couple of years and they've done good work and usually have my rig ready on schedule.

From what I've read on this forum over the last 15 years, most folks would "LOVE" to have/find a dealer who does both good work AND have it done on schedule. :W
My suggestion would be to remind them of the $4000 you have spent with them, suggest your disappointed, ask them for a 10% discount on future work to about the amount you paid for this repair.
They keep you as a customer and you "feel" better about it all.
Trying out a different dealer "may" cost you more in the future.
FunnyCamper
Explorer II
Sep 01, 2016
we left ours for repair and it got broken into on the lot.

the jerks broke the door.

cost me about $750 or so....it was a bit ago on a different trailer.

ticked me off. they had no responsibility on it. drove me nuts til I just let it go :) and blew it off. **** happens.

sorry for your troubles.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 01, 2016
darsben1 wrote:
Not everything bad that happens is someones fault

Why sure it is!
I agree, sucks for the OP, but rodent damage isn't something you can prove fault of a business owner and not worth it, unless maybe there was a dead mouse in your soup at the restaurant. Or even worse, part of a dead mouse!
bucky
Explorer II
Sep 01, 2016
I don't think a health department would inspect a RV business except maybe for lead in the water. I do think that those little black boxes around the perimeter of buildings work and are very cheap. They probably have them, as they don't want their stuff chewed up either.
If the decision was mine to make, your trailer would have been repaired at no charge to you. Customers are to hard to find, much less keep.
After all how hard are wires to reconnect? Hourly guy, a soldering iron, wire maybe, and some shrink wraps. Not 5 hours worth unless the damage was extensive.Just don't attach a blue wire to a red one etc.
Have you talked to the owner or just an employee?
Geocritter
Explorer
Sep 01, 2016
Not trying to let the dealer off the hook but part of the problem is todays wiring. In order to be "green" many automotive manufacturers are using soy and plant based oils to make their insulation. Rodents love the taste of the new formulae's! It makes me glad that I'm driving a 22 year old RV with petroleum based wiring insulation!

Steve
mabynack
Explorer II
Sep 01, 2016
I got the RV back yesterday and the repaired wiring was encased in conduit. They did a nice job and everything seems to be working. Thanks everyone for your input.
brdprey
Explorer
Sep 01, 2016
according to the discussion it might be beneficial to take dated pictures or video of your trailer before you take it too a shop. might be a bit of a chore to do so.
however it would remove any doubt that the damage occurred with in their care. not sure i want to take it to a person that will not cover anything that happens to my rig on their property.

call it a video catalog. its a cya move. if you cant get on your roof. have someone get up there and take all the pic or video they can. might even do it every year just incase.

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