Getting the dealer to owe up

msmith1199 wrote:
...And to the OP: I find it very difficult to believe that an RV dealer would sell you a 13 year old motorhome, let you take it off the lot, and simply authorize a blank check for "whatever" you find wrong they'll fix.

You're right, none would do that.

However, I have heard many a vehicle sales rep say exactly that - whatever you find wrong (in a test drive or whatever), we'll fix. Its a common line used, to make the customer feel good about buying.

Its one of those 'what they say, what they really mean' things:

What sales rep says: "Whatever you find wrong, we'll fix it"

What he really means: "Whatever you find wrong and don't get in writing that you want fixed, we don't have to fix it"

..Like many have already said: Regardless what they 'said' they would fix, the only things they are obligated to fix is what they agreed to fix, IN WRITING as part of the deal. With a used unit like this, they're just hoping that in the excitement of everything you forget to get in writing anything you find wrong with it that needs fixing. Then they're off the hook, basically.

Like already said, there's some definite lessons to be learned from this, main one being, the importance of a test drive and checking these things out thoroughly before purchasing. That, and the importance of getting everything in writing that you find wrong that you expect the dealer to fix. Like a previous poster mentioned, that should be done on anything from a $1500 'beater' right on up to whats being discussed here.