RV Parts Nation - never again

Google reviews give it 2 stars. You are not alone.

Should have upgraded to Global Link locks, which nearly all RV manufacturers use now.

www.rvlocksandmore.com

Sometimes it's just better to go to a true stick-and-brick store so you know for sure what you are actually purchasing. It might cost a little more, but at least you know it's right when you come home with it.

If I need parts or replacing something, I go to one of two local dealerships and get it there. If they don't have it in stock, they'll order it. I can either pick the item up there or have it shipped to me. I prefer to pick it up at their store. In dealing with parts and such, in 20 years of RV ownership, I've never had a problem.

I called a local store first, and they wanted almost twice as much as what I could get it for online. Penny wise and pound foolish, I guess.

Never heard of Global Link before now. Are they proving to be a better-built product?

rexlion wrote:
Never heard of Global Link before now. Are they proving to be a better-built product?

Yes, they seem to be.

They are a drop in replacement for FIC.

I have two RVs and a cargo trailer - I replaced all door handles and got them all keyed the same. LOVE IT!!!!!!!

We don't do any business with her and haven't for a long time. At one time, the business (by another name) was owned by her father. When she took over, she changed the entire business plan and moved into a building in a strip plaza. Upped her prices, got rid of all the items that people would go to the business to find. If you needed a screw, a part, an appliance, or anything that was obsolete, you could probably find it there. She quit handling that stuff and stocked furniture, scooters, etc. She had maybe four short rows of "camping world" type products and you could no longer find the obsolete hard to find parts her dad was famous for carrying. She had a small storefront and if there was a possibility she might still have something, you had to describe it and someone would go into the back and look for it. And if you had to return something, it was subject to a 15% restocking fee IF they would take it back at all. Customer service was GONE. We saw no need to return.

Over the next couple years, we saw fewer and fewer cars at her place and we wondered how long it would take before it was gone. It didn't take long and until last summer, we thought her business was totally defunct. Then we saw her answer an inquiry on a forum and she gave her new business address in Elkhart. We drove by and weeds are all grown up, no cars, etc.., and we were sure nothing was there. But then on a weekday, there were cars there. Never went in, not sure what the setup is like at that place. There is NO sign anywhere, no hours posted, etc. Perhaps it is an internet operation entirely. I would never do business with her. She sucked all the money out of her Dad's company and has no concept of how to operate a business for profit.

There are other places in/around Elkhart. . . Johnson's surplus, Bontrager Sales, up on US12 that offer more products and better service and have internet sales. Good companies to deal with.

Dale

Good info, thanks. Hmm, I had met a Hubert Bontrager some years ago (1980s) in Indiana and he had several businesses; I wonder if this Bontrager Sales was one of them. Interesting.

rexlion wrote:
Good info, thanks. Hmm, I had met a Hubert Bontrager some years ago (1980s) in Indiana and he had several businesses; I wonder if this Bontrager Sales was one of them. Interesting.

Owner is Henry and son Larry. Bontragers

Bontrager's and Johnson's Surplus both have piles and piles of parts for virtually anything you could want. New and used, furniture, appliances, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical, they have it all. However, most of what they have is not cataloged online, you'll need to call them or go to the store.

Note that Bontrager's is run by Seventh Day Adventists and is closed Saturdays, but open on Sunday.

Don't forget about Tom's Borderline Sales on US131 a couple miles north of White Pigeon. Small place but has some things the other's don't. He's located where US131 goes west around Constantine at 1st road coming from the east (connects to Old US131). There is also Double D Salvage, 12678 CR 34, Goshen, IN. It is an Amish ran surplus shop on a family farm, again have some things the others do not have, plus his pricing on some electrical and cable TV accessories has been way lower than Johnson's or Bontragers. Example bought a 12v powered cable outlet from him for $2 last spring and he had a box full...last time Bontrager had any he wanted $14 for the same item.