Bought used coach from General RV with some rot issues

[redhooker]

Recently purchased a 2007 fiver from a General RV in Orange Park FL. Bought a "hitch to bumper" 2 year Cornerstone extended warrantee. Noticed small damage to masonite trim at the PDI, but was assured it was isolated damage and the coach was fully checked out for water damage and rot and was "solid as a rock". Had it in my possession about 2 weeks and went to move the jackknife couch and found the whole corner of the slide out rotted and full of black mold. The couch was actually moved (switched with the dinette) to conceal the damage. Took it back to dealer and NO coverage by warrantee and NO chance they are going to fix damage. they want 3 grand just to repair (not replace in entirety) plywood floor and seal up the leaks, NOT including carpet, trim, or wall paneling that I would be willing to pay for! I am going to pick it back up as I will be damned if they ever get another penny out of me. So pissed at myself for trusting the service techs at the PDI I will be kicking myself for a long time on this one. Oh and thats the last extended warrantee I will ever buy. Next time I will just stick that $1900 in a savings account and put it towards any repairs. I am just going to calmly walk away and never darken their door again. This is our 6th trailer and far from our last (we are LIFERS :)), they have no idea how much their greed will cost them.

[Beaker]

Oh and thats the last extended warrantee I will ever buy

Good to hear they are stepping up!

I have never bought an extended warrantee on anything and never will.

With that being said, I don't know why you would think that the warrantee company would pay for this. You've only had it two weeks. With your thinking I should wait until I damage my car and then get it insured and having the insurance company pay for it.

Certainly not picking at you, I would certainly be ticked off to, but not at the warrantee company.

And I would cancel it and get a refund.

[Dance_Chick]

Since the dealership is now stepping up to the plate and doing the right thing, I can't help but wonder if they read these forums, and that had something to do with their 180 degree change of heart. Glad they're going to fix it. Hope they follow through.

[redhooker]

nevadanick wrote:
I bought my mottorhome from them in Utah. They are very upfront about the fact they are selling As Is.

In this case we were purchasing with a 2 year warrantee. But even so the only reason I went back to the dealer on this one is the damage in question was actually asked about by us before taking delivery and the service department assured us it was "fully checked out" and strictly cosmetic. The jackknife sofa had to be unbolted from the floor to physically find the damage myself. It was moved to conceal the damage and was most likely done by the person that traded it in. Most likely a failure of someone to do their job in the service bay left us holding the bag.

I approached this from a fair prospective from the beginning. I only requested they repair the floor/framing and leak itself. I will still be performing over $1500 of repairs at my cost to fix the carpet, wall paneling/insulation, and trim. That's still a tall order of a fix your 2nd or 3rd week of ownership, especially on an item you specifically inquired about.

The sales department at this dealer was stellar. I read all the reviews on this dealer available, and all most every negative is related to the service department. I actually mentioned that before the deal was made, and the salesman acknowledged the same and said they had made some major changes in that department.

The new service manager I met yesterday is apparently the big part of that change. While I am still reeling from the corporate sales response I was taken aback by the change of situation yesterday. The service manager was the most knowledgeable person I have spoken to yet at any dealer. He obviously has a lot of experience as he knew our brand (which they don't even sell at that dealer) inside and out and he had not laid eyes on it yet.

I will be receiving the unit back with the flooring and framing exposed, and may even start another thread and document the needed upgrades. I hope this thread turns into a happy ending.

[nevadanick]

I bought my mottorhome from them in Utah. They are very upfront about the fact they are selling As Is.

[AJR]

My unit is from General RV. I will never buy from them again.

It is good that one of their locations will talk about after purchase problems.

[4X4Dodger]

bsinmich wrote:
I have bought 2 MHs from General in Mich. They are family owned. I would write a letter to the main office in Wixom, MI. That experience is not what I have seen from General RV.

In my experience "Family Owned" corporations are some of the worst to deal with either as an employee or a customer.

Many FOC's are run like a small business where they are much tighter with their money, much less apt to compromise than a publicly held corporation of similar size and feel it is their right to act in any capricious way they wish.

It's a wonderful marketing ploy to give people a false sense of security that somehow "Family Owned" translates to more honest and ethical, better service etc but in my experience this is rarely true.

[4X4Dodger]

peaches&cream wrote:

monkey44 wrote:

4X4Dodger wrote:
Here is what I would do.

Take full photos of the damage.

Write a letter to the dealer politely demanding they fix, replace or compensate you.

When they refuse.

File suit in Small Claims court for the maximum amount you can.

As a corporation they will by law have to be represented by a lawyer. You can do the case on your own. Hit the law library and do your research. Dont try to be Perry Mason just a regular guy who has been screwed.

Most lower court judges will look favorably on this scenario and in fact it may never get to court as the company will be spending thousands of dollars to fight this and will have a strong likely hood of losing and owing you the judgement.

Get everything in writing and send everything by registered mail from this moment on.

Be sure you get at least two independent estimates for the cost of the repairs.

Get on Google and give them a bad review...very bad. Send them the link. Call your hometown news and give them this David and Goliath story...this is a long shot but just may produce something if you live in a small newsmarket.

Good Luck..hold their feet to the fire. Dont just swallow this. This is what they will count on.

Also report them to the BBB and send a complaint to your state consumer affairs division.

Yes -- Do this ! and take the money (estimate) do not allow them to fix it.

When you do this, make sure you DO NOT make 1 error, and be prepared to get counter sued for deflamation. The counter suit will not be in "small claims court".

Sorry but there are no grounds for a defamation suit. As long as you stick to the facts of the situation no defamation has occurred. Besides these kinds of suits are mostly fictional and rarely won. More importantly they would have to show a direct link between any alleged financial losses and the defamation to win a judgement against you...a nearly impossible barrier in this case.

but the real point has been missed. Because of the cost to defend such a suit (with a lawyer) they will likely never let it get to the trial stage. In addition many states and localities have Mediation programs which must be attended before going to trial. This process will work in the op's favor.

[B_O__Plenty]

For what it's worth, I would still cancel that worthless and overpriced service contract and get back whatever money you can from it..

B.O.

[bsinmich]

I have bought 2 MHs from General in Mich. They are family owned. I would write a letter to the main office in Wixom, MI. That experience is not what I have seen from General RV.

[SH]

CampingN.C. wrote:

SH wrote:
Good for you! Best Wishes with the repairs! Perhaps there is an outside chance they will let you watch the work.

I doubt they'll let him back in the shop due to insurance regulations but I would however, make them photo document the entire repair process.


OP, keep us posted and good luck!

I understand the "insurance" issue with shops, however twice I have been allowed to watch work completed on my rigs. Perhaps just the luck of the draw! Photos are a good idea!

[OutdoorPhotogra]

Great! And kudos for keeping calm. It always helps but isn't always easy in a case like this.

[CampingN_C_]

SH wrote:
Good for you! Best Wishes with the repairs! Perhaps there is an outside chance they will let you watch the work.

I doubt they'll let him back in the shop due to insurance regulations but I would however, make them photo document the entire repair process.


OP, keep us posted and good luck!

[SH]

Good for you! Best Wishes with the repairs! Perhaps there is an outside chance they will let you watch the work.

[colliehauler]

redhooker wrote:
OK here's an update for the better. I went in today to get our unit as I am in agreement with most of the good suggestions here, and was going to take my business elsewhere for good. The store GM and the new service manager came out and I calmly expressed my opinion to them. They told me there is no way that unit should have been delivered like that and are now overstepping the corporate office and fixing the damage. I will update this soon but for the first time in all my "screwings" from RV dealers somebody finally is stepping up to hopefully make this right.

This is a complete 180 from the answers I got from their main office I pray it is a sign of better things to come.

That's what they should do if they are a reputable dealer. Glad to here, let us know how it works out.