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Mardevmitch's avatar
Mardevmitch
Explorer
Jun 30, 2015

Help Stoltzfus in PA sold us a brand new leaking camper!

My fiance and I are thrilled to be part of the camping community! We've been thinking about buying a camper for years, and we finally did! A 2015 Viking V12RBST from Stoltzfus in West Chester, PA. We decided to buy from this company because it is employee owned, and we respect that. We picked up our camper last Saturday and saw a puddle in our driveway Saturday afternoon, from the white water tank.... we called and Stoltzfus said they would fix it because it's under warranty! What?! We just left from the lot!!

Well, we went camping with it this past weekend.... and we loved it! Until... the rain was under our mattress and dripping from the A-frame onto the floor. There was condensation around the door, puddling on the floor, and there was condensation all along the frame. We were heartbroken and had to sleep on the dinette.

We spoke with our credit card company, and we can dispute the purchase. Stoltzfus says they will fix the issue, but we are skeptical. Why would they ever sell this to us?! Are these issues even fixable? Should we just start the dispute process now?

Can anyone give us some advice on what to do? Is this condensation normal? Should there be ANY condensation?

Thank you for any help you can give...
Marion
  • Mardevmitch's avatar
    Mardevmitch
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2015
    Campigloo, you would get a refund right away, or give them a chance to fix it? We have until October to start the dispute, and we do want to deal with this company because they are employee owned.
  • RedRocket204's avatar
    RedRocket204
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2015
    Yes, condensation can be a normal occurrence if you do not vent your RV. Granted, the leaking probably didn't help, but if you are occupying the RV, vent it.
  • Mardevmitch's avatar
    Mardevmitch
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2015
    Thanks Toddupton, but it's not about being "mad." It's about whether or not others have had similar issues and found that they could be fixed. We don't want to go through this with a brand new camper if no one has had success fixing leaking issue like these....
  • campigloo's avatar
    campigloo
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2015
    No, there should be no leaks. This sounds like manufacturers defect. The dealer had nothing to do with the build. I suggest a very brief chat with dealer and then manufacturer about a total refund; tax license and all fees. If no satisfaction within 24 hours or less, it's time to go legal. Take
    Lots of pictures and write everything down. Events, dates, times and damage. Keep a very detailed paper trail.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jun 30, 2015
    The dealer you bought it from didn't sell it to you that way on purpose and you know they didn't know there was anything wrong with it. They just sell what the manufacturer delivers.
    RV's are mostly junk and they have stuff wrong with them. So just let them fix it and enjoy camping.
  • Toddupton's avatar
    Toddupton
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2015
    Getting mad at the dealer who sold it is not fair. They did not build it and have not even been given the chance to fix it yet. Give them a chance to make it right, if they can't, then you have reason to be mad.
  • Mardevmitch's avatar
    Mardevmitch
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2015
    We did an inspection yes, but the leak from the tank is a slow, slow drip and the garage where we did the inspection was wet due to the filling of the tank, etc. And the condensation and leaking happened during the rain, so we couldn't see that prior to purchase. We trusted that a new product meant it would be new, no issues.

    The credit card company said we can dispute and get them to take it back, but we want to have it fixed. Is the leaking problem under the mattress fixable? Is some condensation normal?
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2015
    Considering it's brand new, yes! Take it back to the dealer and see what can be done.
  • darsben's avatar
    darsben
    Explorer II
    Jun 30, 2015
    DID you do a predelivery inspection where everything was checked BEFORE you paid?

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