Maybe a terrible decision?

[oblioandarrow]

Hi there!
My boyfriend and I are young, and opted to purchase a 5th wheel for full-timing as opposed to finding a rental. We went through a large dealership for ease of financing. Three weeks ago, we found an RV that had the perfect layout. We put a down payment on it and scheduled a delivery (we don't have a truck and plan on it being mostly stationary) for the following week.
Two days before the planned delivery, I received a call from the dealership with the bad news that they had found a rotten floor in their inspection and couldn't sell it to us, but had another one in mind that they thought we'd love. They said it was older, but it was also cheaper.
Honestly, we were in a rush to get moved into it. We had only paid for half the month in the room we were renting and had time off scheduled for a road trip to bring back the rest of our belongings. So I told the dealership to go ahead with the inspection of the alternate rig. My boyfriend was able to go look at it, but I didn't have time.
We were living in the RV for 3 days when we got our first big rain (we're in the PNW) and the roof started leaking. Upon further inspection, we realized that the subfloor is moldy and who knows what is going on in the ceiling. After tons of argument with the dealership, they agreed to haul it back and fix it, but what I want to know is -
1. what can I feasibly expect the dealership to do? Will they be honest enough to admit that it's a total loss, if it's molded through?
2. If they refuse to admit the scope of the problem, do I have grounds to pursue legal action? I paid $900 for the inspection and I feel that it wasn't thorough at all (lots of other little things pointing to that).

Any advice would be appreciated. The rig is a 2001 Alpenlite Medinah.

[nancyjerry]

Tell them you will be bringing your own inspector when they are 'done' with repairs.

[beemerphile1]

wa8yxm wrote:
In most states you have 3 business days to back out....

Absolutely incorrect. The three day right to rescind is for off site sales like the guy that knocks on your door selling magazines. If you go to them such as a dealers lot, the three day rule does not apply.

[wa8yxm]

In most states you have 3 business days to back out.
Your dealer pulled a "Bait and Switch" this is an illegal practice, however in this case.. It may be they did discover a rotten floor.. Which they should have checked for upon receiving the Unit, not upon selling it.. I do not knwo.. Also in walking through it you should have found the "Rotting floor"

As you did in the one you are in now.

You may wish to contact the state Department of Motor Vehicles.. Let them try that with one of their "Buyers"... They won't do it twice.

[T18skyguy]

In a rig that old, it could have been leaking for a very long time. It's not a question if there's dry rot, but only how extensive it is in both the ceiling and the floor. Unless your there when they open it up, I would never accept their word on any repair. They'll patch it up and say your good to go, but you will find out differently later. Myself, I would demand a full refund or else. It doesn't matter how big the dealership is or how many lawyers they have. All that matters is you YOU ARE RIGHT and you will win. Sometimes all it takes is a phone call from an attorney to set them straight. Roof leaks are the hidden demon lurking inside some old RV's that will suck the money out of you like a tornado. Good luck I wish you a happy outcome.

[RvNewbieFl]

P.S.... It doesn't matter if you have a warranty or not... I'm sure others will tell you differently... but I speak from experience.... I bought the top of the line extended warranty possible... and my rv dealer won't honor it... and other rv shops usually only work on the rvs they personally sell.... So basically and honestly... accept the help with a smile... and do everything you can to stay on their good side...

[RvNewbieFl]

Your right there is no lemon law with rv's and hiring a lawyer won't do you any good...They are a big dealership and have a team of lawyers... and be careful what you say about the dealership... Some contracts have a clause that not only can you not talk badly about the dealership but also includes anyone in your immediate family... (I speak from experience)
Your doing the right thing... work with the dealership and take any help you can get with a smile and be prepared to inspect and fix anything they missed yourself... I would personally suggest... start watching youtube videos on how to caulk and check seals and the sky light. So you have piece of mind knowing what to look for not only now but in the future... good luck you two.....

[downtheroad]

Good advice from Grit dog above.
Also, since it's an older unit...maybe instead of the carpet, apply that to some new tires. Even if they, "look good," they may be at the end of their safety life due to age.

[Grit_dog]

Sounds like you're on the right path. They're playing ball with you at least.
Not much more you can ask for buying a presumably "as is" trailer.
Be persistent, inspect their work and get everything you can out of it.
Suggestion, if you want to replace the flooring anyway, use that as leverage to get more work done if they leave the floor bare.
You can install the snaptacular flooring very easily and the stuff is cheap. Tape measure and a knife is all you need for the rubber stuff.

[beemerphile1]

oblioandarrow wrote:
Thanks for all your advice, guys!
We have been working with the dealership (it sort of feels like that's the only option right now, from my research I don't believe we have any actual legal grounds to get our money back - lemon law etc does not apply to used coaches). They took it in yesterday for repairs and claimed that they would put in a new skylight, reseal the entire roof, ozone the unit to kill mold, and take out the carpet (we want to put in vinyl wood floors anyway, and it will allow us to see how good of a job they did).
It's been sort of exhausting and we can't afford a lawyer. They're doing all these repairs for free, as they should. My thinking is, they do this all the time and if people had legal grounds to sue them, they would be out of business. So you're right, I am learning a hard lesson, and the money I was previously "throwing away" on rent seems a lot more worth it now 😉

Again I ask; what warranty do you have?

[oblioandarrow]

Thanks for all your advice, guys!
We have been working with the dealership (it sort of feels like that's the only option right now, from my research I don't believe we have any actual legal grounds to get our money back - lemon law etc does not apply to used coaches). They took it in yesterday for repairs and claimed that they would put in a new skylight, reseal the entire roof, ozone the unit to kill mold, and take out the carpet (we want to put in vinyl wood floors anyway, and it will allow us to see how good of a job they did).
It's been sort of exhausting and we can't afford a lawyer. They're doing all these repairs for free, as they should. My thinking is, they do this all the time and if people had legal grounds to sue them, they would be out of business. So you're right, I am learning a hard lesson, and the money I was previously "throwing away" on rent seems a lot more worth it now 😉

[Homer1]

Again I personally agree with the o/p, get an attorney involved especially if you feel you have tried and it has or is going no where. I have personally used them and usually a letter or a phone call is sufficient to get satisfaction. It is not that expensive, if you factor in the lost time, aggravation, and so far the loss of your money. If it ends up going clear to court, then try to get your legal cost as part of the judgement.

[monkey44]

There are times to get an attorney involved, there are times you should not.

If this dealer doesn't refund your money (That's all I'd accept at this point), this is one of the times to pay that attorney fee and get notice to this dealer you are not messing around. It has already shown you it will "stick you" ... don't let it drag on.

[1968mooney]

PA12DRVR wrote:
To the OP: a story to consider: I know a guy.....had a serious problem with his newly purchased new Chevrolet Suburban. Worked with the dealer for 3 weeks, no progress (of any sort) certainly no resolution to the problem. So the guy sent an attorney letter to the dealer and voila! problem resolved in 2 days.

So the guy was me, and yes I'm a lawyer. Lawyers can be expensive, but I suspect you can find one that will a) take your case if what you've presented here is the complete story; and b) likely write a pretty good letter for under $250....a lot of money you say? Might just get the dealer to resolve your problem quickly rather than stringing you along as they have so far. Even if the State AG or your jurisdiction's version of Consumer Affairs ultimately resolves the case, those two agencies will loom much larger to the dealership if those agencies are to be informed/brought in by an attorney.

Free advice worth what you pay for it, but if you don't get a positive response from the dealer on first request and don't get problems fixed within a very reasonable time frame, I'd get an attorney involved. It's not the horror situation that is hinted at on here.

When I worked in Insurance, we had much rather deal with a attorney than a "irate" client. So, go hire a attorney and chances are you will not 'talk" to the dealer again as your attorney will make all the decisions for you. And guess what. You get to pay for it.

[PA12DRVR]

To the OP: a story to consider: I know a guy.....had a serious problem with his newly purchased new Chevrolet Suburban. Worked with the dealer for 3 weeks, no progress (of any sort) certainly no resolution to the problem. So the guy sent an attorney letter to the dealer and voila! problem resolved in 2 days.

So the guy was me, and yes I'm a lawyer. Lawyers can be expensive, but I suspect you can find one that will a) take your case if what you've presented here is the complete story; and b) likely write a pretty good letter for under $250....a lot of money you say? Might just get the dealer to resolve your problem quickly rather than stringing you along as they have so far. Even if the State AG or your jurisdiction's version of Consumer Affairs ultimately resolves the case, those two agencies will loom much larger to the dealership if those agencies are to be informed/brought in by an attorney.

Free advice worth what you pay for it, but if you don't get a positive response from the dealer on first request and don't get problems fixed within a very reasonable time frame, I'd get an attorney involved. It's not the horror situation that is hinted at on here.