Not being part of the PDI?

People seem to confuse the PDI with the walk-thru.

When I worked in the industry, at an exceptionally reputable dealer with a stellar reputation it worked this way. By the way, the owner/manager of the dealership was a former Coast Guard Captain and the dealership was run like a ship. (As an aside, most dealers no longer do it this way.)

Every unit sold, in fact, had been through TWO PDI's. First, when the unit arrived from the manufacturer, I inspected the unit and wrote up the work orders from and extensive checklist. Warranty repairs were then made before the unit even hit the lot. Used/trade-in units were treated in like manner.

After a unit was sold, another PDI was performed from an even more extensive checklist. This covered systems, mechanicals, cosmetics, and any damage that may have occurred while the unit was on the lot. Once again work orders were written and defects were corrected. All deficient items were reinspected by someone (a manager) other than the technician who did the work. The units were then thoroughly cleaned.

As part of the delivery/walk-thru process, the PDI checklist was given to the customer including the list of deficiencies that were corrected so the customer could pay close attention to them in the walk-thru (and monitor their performance down the road). The customer was given a detailed explanation, and demonstration, of all systems and shown where hard to find items (like low point drains) were located. If they weren't labeled by the manufacturer, we labeled them for the customer.

The customer was not part of the PDI process. How could they since some issues may be corrected on the spot, during the PDI, and the PDI occurred in the shop where customers are not allowed per safety policies or regulations. Plus, you can't have a customer hovering over a service writer or technician, slowing them down and possibly getting in the way, while the PDI is being performed.

The walk through is critical to understanding the systems on your rig. This should not be rushed. For a new rver, with little experience it should take at least 2 hours. Take notes and have someone with you to record everything. Remember before you hand over the Benjamins you are in control. In my last purchase I had it written in the contract that I would return the coach in two weeks with a list and wanted to be front of the line. Did they like it, no, did they do it yes.

It also helps during the negotiations to have one of the party sigh and say "I think we should go back to _____RV and take another look at that______"insert name of simular rig.

Once they have your money most of them don't know you.

sch911 wrote:
HOW ITS SUPPOSED TO WORK

1. You do the PDI and create the hit list of things wrong.
2. You go home, the dealer fixes everything on the list.
3. You schedule the delivery.
4. You show up for the delivery check the unit to make sure all items are fixed.
5. You close the deal. You don't pay the dealer until this step.

This, x10. It took about three hours to do my own PDI and found 13 issues, 7 of which were serious. Took the dealership two days to fix the 7 serious issues, after which we accepted the FW and closed the deal, understanding the 6 remaining issues would be fixed later.

1. I(we) do NOT want the Buyer present during the PDI. It just slows the process down as they will usually start asking a LOT of questions about operation and you can NEVER get the PDI done. PDI and PREP is the same thing
2. We FIX things found on the PDI.
3. Once the unit is PDI'd and cleaned the Buyer is welcome to come in and go thru the unit without us and go thru all the systems. Then present a list of anything he finds wrong and needs addressed. We PREFER the buyer to do this.
4. After we fix any items he finds we then do a walk thru with the buyer, paying attention to the items HE listed to show they have been addressed.
5. This saves time and makes the process easier for the buyer. Doug
PS, very few want to inspect the unit in item 3. Don't know why.

Thanks everyone, it sounds normal. The walkthrough is 2-3 hours long, so I assume that is my chance to find things wrong.

I don't really have the option of not taking ownership until it is fixed, but I am not afraid to make a stink if things aren't getting done so I have to chance it.

After the PDI was completed with us present and then they had a full hook spot for us to spend the night and then they were ready to answer any question the next morning.

PDI's are done by all dealers of any type of vehicle, from a bike to an rv. You can be present for it, if you wish, but thats not normal, or request the check list by the technichin that did the inspection. There could be several as each may have a field of expertise. Rvs are very complex.
In your walk through if you have questions about a particular system, ask to speak to the tech. that initialed that pdi check list for in depth description and knowledge of that system if the person giving the walk through does not answer your questions to your satisfaction.

As said before. Do your own pdi when you get there. Everything has to be fixed before you pay them. If Camping World it could be months to get it fixed if paid up front.

Lantley wrote:

For the record the buyer is generally not present during home inspections.

Huh. I always am.

Them doing 7-8 hours, and then you doing 2 hours, sounds good to me.

Lantley wrote:
I would not sweat it as long as you are given a chance and ample time to do your own PDI.
For the record the buyer is generally not present during home inspections.

Neither is the seller present!

PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection). For a "true" PDI, the buyer usually is not there. This is the actual "prep" period the dealer does to get the camper actually ready for delivery to you. They usually go through everything, fix, adjust, and fine tune. They run all the systems, do all their checks before turning it over to you.

When you come to take delivery, they will do a PDI with you, much shorter, but (should) have everything working, and show you how everything works, and answer any question you may have. If done right, they will show you the toilet flushes, the furnace and air conditioner actually run. I don't think they'll show you the oil dip stick is full though, or the quality of the antifreeze in the engine radiator (if a motorhome). But they should show you where the dip stick is and where to add antifreeze to the engine. That's the difference between their PDI where they are doing the first full service to ensure everything is operational correctly vs hand-off to you.

Hope this helps.