Experience with internet purchases

To speak to the OP's question - I did buy an RV over 800 miles away (Peco Campers in Atlanta) but with the understanding that I'd get my $500 deposit back if I was not satisfied and decided to kill the deal. The dealer only brings in one or two of my unit at a time and can shift it if didn't want it so they were able to be reasonable. I kept in close contact with the salesman all the while and got everything in writing (emails mainly) and when it arrived we drove there nd got excellent service that day. Everythng was in good order and we took delivery that day withot incident.

As for dealers only supporting owners who bought from them - I am about to go through that experience with Ron Hoover here in Houston. So far the guys ws very good and professional on the phone, even after asking if the RV was bought from them. I will be sure to give public positive feedback if they deserve it afterwards and will tell/show them that I did so. The same goes if they screw up.

IMO, they need to realise that they have to rise above their small-mindedness and focus on appreciating their customers - whether or not they bought from them. Word spreads especially in this day and age, and if they suck they should pay the price and be allowed to dry up and blow away. Trouble is that won't happen if people keep buying from them no matter what.

I bought my last TT from Terry Frazier RV in Iowa sight unseen. Then had it delivered at a very reasonable price. No problems whatsoever.

Dandy wrote:

Wiscampsin wrote:
I realize this will open up a whole new discussion but just be aware that a local dealer might not want to do any work, warranty or otherwise, on a camper you didn't buy from them. Just sayin', something to consider.

The local dealer may not want to, but I do not think it is a choice if they are a Rep of a line.

This doesn't mean it will be done in a timely manner, but it is their reputation on the line also.

My best advice is to offer the local dealer to match price and unit. If they cannot than ask them how they will warranty issues if you buy elsewhere.

Sorry to say but that is absolutely untrue!! RV's aren't like automobile's. Dealers can and do refuse service all the time if the product didn't come from them. With that said i looked online at a new 2013 Gray Wolf 26BH and talked with Lake Shore RV both on line and by phone and they were very professional and helpful however in the end my local dealer got very competitive and i made a deal here locally. Bottom line if its what your looking for and can make a deal go for it. I would suggest though that before you pull the trigger give your local dealer one last shot.

As others have mentioned, be sure you can inspect the RV in person before obligating yourself to buy it. Some may buy sight unseen, but I personally find that to be very uncomfortable and would never do it.

Some say finding a dealer to do warranty work isn't a big deal, but I have to disagree. Part of what you're paying for with a new RV is the warranty, and you need to figure out how you'll actually get warranty work done if needed. The dealer I bought my TT from says they ONLY service RV's purchased from them. This wasn't just the salesman talking - I called the dealership's service department on my own and they confirmed it. Now, could someone call the manufacturer and complain about this in order to force the dealer to do the repair? Maybe although I don't have to worry about that since I bought locally.

In short, I would figure out how you would get any warranty work done before purchasing. You can't just assume that a local dealer who sells the same brand will do it for you, as I learned through my dealer.

I know two personal friends that drove all the way from Calgary, Alberta to Lakeshore to buy their trailers. No complaints. I would have done the same found one in a neighbouring province that was very slightly more but significantly less of a distance to travel so I went that route. I know they have an excellent rep with Canadians. They were even going to ship to the Montana Alberta border for me ( extra cost) give the walk thru there and if I was not satisfied they would have turned around and left with no cost to me. Considering upgrading and buying from them. They will ship again if I do and pick up my trade in at the border. That being said, I would look locally at the trailer you want to see it in person but I would have no concerns buying from a far dealer and making a deal over the phone and Internet.

APT wrote:
No one buys long distance "site unseen". There is a deposit left with option to leave it after PDI. The investment is higher of time and money once you arrive at a dealer farther away should someone decide to walk away.

Despite the internet folklore, I have never read an account of someone being denied warranty service for purchases out of state. Meh, warranty work - what percentage of RVs even file a warranty claim?

Lakeshore RV has a great reputation for low prices and great sales transactions. People drive farther than you to purchase from them. They do a lot of custom/sold orders at nearly the lowest prices for the products they carry.

Not true. I bought mine brand new site unseen over the internet and phone and had it delivered to my curb.

Dandy wrote:

The local dealer may not want to, but I do not think it is a choice if they are a Rep of a line.

I can assure you this is not true… dealers for the most part are independent businesses and are not required to service what they don’t personally sell…

Forest River says it best…
“Forest River, Inc. strongly encourages our retail customers to purchase from their local dealership whenever possible due to the following factors:

Our Dealers are as a rule, independently owned and operated businesses. Outside of those customers they personally sold products to, they are not contractually obligated to perform warranty service on Forest River products that were purchased elsewhere. There may be an occasion that you would be required to return to the point of purchase to satisfy warranty requirements. “

APT wrote:


Despite the internet folklore, I have never read an account of someone being denied warranty service for purchases out of state.

Not internet folklore I have been refused service at dealers where I didn’t buy, or arrangements had to be made for the payment to be made on the day of service before releasing the unit back to the owner…

Northwood in Fort Myers refused to do warranty service on mine on tow different occasions, and I know of others that were refused there because they didn’t buy there…

Now Northwood would do the service on a cash basis at full retail on parts and their normal labor rate and I would have to seek reimbursements from the MFH…

The problem there, the mfg. reimbursement would only equal what the mfg. would have paid Northwood at the warranty rate that wasn’t even remotely close to their estimated retail repair cost…

Some people like to believe it is folklore mayhbe…

petey42 wrote:
We cannot get the trailer we want in our city, but can purchase it at what seems like a good price form LakeShore Rv in Muskegon, MI. This is 800 miles from where we live, but we would make a vacation out of the pickup trip. Has anyone dealt with this dealer, or had problems with a similar situation?

I have not bought from this dealer but did visit them when I bought my current TT. They could not match prices I was being quoted elsewhere. May I ask what unit you are interested in?

No one buys long distance "site unseen". There is a deposit left with option to leave it after PDI. The investment is higher of time and money once you arrive at a dealer farther away should someone decide to walk away.

Despite the internet folklore, I have never read an account of someone being denied warranty service for purchases out of state. Meh, warranty work - what percentage of RVs even file a warranty claim?

Lakeshore RV has a great reputation for low prices and great sales transactions. People drive farther than you to purchase from them. They do a lot of custom/sold orders at nearly the lowest prices for the products they carry.

warrenty work is not a big deal. don,t let that stop you, my MH was built in canada , I