Forum Discussion

cekkk's avatar
cekkk
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013

An Approach to RV Defects

Many problems owners encounter with their new rigs are a result of sloppy work during assembly. Quality and piece work might work well in a monastery. But I doubt it, human nature being what it is.

Manufacturers could profit by offering an "option" that would cover the extra cost of workers taking time to do it right and additional profit for the company. A system of worker id's associated with reports of subsequent reports of problems would help ensure the workers took their jobs seriously.

The companies might offer the extra pay work to their most reliable long time workers in order to avoid using people who still do sloppy work and then leave a short time later.

The option could be presented in a manner that would avoid the impression that the product would be substandard if not taken. Just a marketing issue.
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  • Rockrash's avatar
    Rockrash
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2013
    No offence, but that's a bad idea. If a manufacturer' gave me that option I would run. Maybe I should tell my hardwood customers I'll do their floor correctly for an additional cost.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2013
    I'm not sure that is going to fly. It would have to be on par with the marketing Oygenics does with their shower heads claiming their product ionizes water and eliminates free radicals. I didn't believe them either BTW.
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    Sep 17, 2013
    Would you take that option if your surgeon was offering it ? I would not use him if he offered it! Do it right the first time... that's not that hard
  • cekkk's avatar
    cekkk
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2013
    None taken. The last paragraph recognized the problem and addressed it. We get sold******all the time, it's what Madison Avenue does. I could see one manufacturer picking this plan up and developing a heck of a reputation for quality.
  • Cloud_Dancer's avatar
    Cloud_Dancer
    Explorer II
    Sep 17, 2013
    IMO substandard RV products are offerred because we can't afford to pay for the good stuff. My 2003 Newmar Dutch Star is a perfect example.
    I would've NEVER bought it, except that I could NOT afford what I really wanted.
    That's the way it's been most of my life. That's the reason I buy lotto tickets.
    BTW I fixed and modified many things in my Dutch Star. There's no way I would have a RV if I couldn't do my own mainenance AND repairs.
    Thanks to all who have helped me, here on the RV.NET forums.
  • Gemstone's avatar
    Gemstone
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2013
    "IMO substandard RV products are offerred because we can't afford to pay for the good stuff"....trust me, there is not much distinction between the workmanship of entry level rigs and the "good stuff"...unless you really get into the high end market of the top 2-3 manufacturers.

    IMO, the reason poor quality rigs are pushed off of the assembly line is that there is no motivation to do otherwise. Obviously there is enough markup in the sale price to cover the anticipated warranty work, and there are enough new people standing in line to purchase their product...so why change ?

    Regards
    Gemstone
  • cekkk's avatar
    cekkk
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2013
    ford truck guy wrote:
    Would you take that option if your surgeon was offering it ? I would not use him if he offered it! Do it right the first time... that's not that hard


    Point on. If you can afford it, you find and pay for a surgeon who who wasn't at the bottom of his class. So, yes, the best charge, or "offer" it now.

    As for doing it right the first time, I completely agree. That's the way it should work. But that takes us back to the monastery problem, doesn't it.

    Maybe this is too scary, but innovation often is.
  • Francesca_Knowl's avatar
    Francesca_Knowl
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2013
    Wouldn't such an option simply destroy the market for the adopting mfr.'s ordinary line of goods, at the same time giving other mfr's the opportunity to maintain that they need no such option since theirs are already "high quality units"?
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    Sep 17, 2013
    cekkk wrote:
    ford truck guy wrote:
    Would you take that option if your surgeon was offering it ? I would not use him if he offered it! Do it right the first time... that's not that hard


    Point on. If you can afford it, you find and pay for a surgeon who who wasn't at the bottom of his class. So, yes, the best charge, or "offer" it now.

    As for doing it right the first time, I completely agree. That's the way it should work. But that takes us back to the monastery problem, doesn't it.

    Maybe this is too scary, but innovation often is.


    The sad thing really is.... That we are having this conversation... IF ALL workers took pride in their work it would be a non issue... Up charge for a better or sturdier model.. I'm ok with that... up charge to have something double or triple checked, should not have to pay for that
  • sljkansas's avatar
    sljkansas
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2013
    QC/QA is my profession. What you need first is people that give a S#$%t about what they do. Second you need inspectors that know their product from one end to another, and isn't afraid to call attention to a problem and have the person that did the job fix it before it moved to the next step. Once the person doing the job is shown that they are accountable for their work, they will improve or be out of a job. Quality work needs to start at the top and followed to the end product.

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