Apache Camping, Everett, Washington

I have purchased a used trailer from Apache Camping Center and have used them for service. When I purchaser my next trailer (new) , I will seriously consider going with Apache again. I have found them to be fair and be straight shooters.

Francesca

You've made some bad assumptions here. I'm personally very familiar with the specifics of this situation.

matt_r has presented his ACTUAL experience(s) here for us to be aware of.

matt_r wrote:

Francesca Knowles wrote:

matt_r wrote:
They where angry when they learned what we were getting and could not come within 30% of the price. I completely understand there reluctance to match what was clearly a “loss leader” for the dealer we purchased. At no time did they threaten to not service the out-of-state rig at the time of transaction. It was not until we attempted to schedule our first appointment.

And this was a surprise to you?

This is the second time you've told us that negotiations were so tense that they were actually "angry" with you. Hardly sounds like you went out of your way to evolve a friendly relationship with them to begin with. Why on earth would you expect them to greet you with open arms when you needed warranty work? Especially given that history, might it not be reasonable for them to expect that you might be more trouble during any other process they're involved in with you?

I'm skeptical that any generalities about Apache's willingness (or not) to service rigs not purchased there can be made in this case. I think it's more likely that they just don't want you yourself for a customer.

You assume a lot.

I understood this forum as a place to share information which I am doing. Its not a trial. I don’t appreciate or welcome your judgement. Particularly as off base as it is.

I understood this forum as a place to share information which I am doing.

Here is some info to share. About 15-20 years ago our state was considering a drivers license endorsement for RV's. Sort of like a motorcycle endorsement. A simple written test that goes over the basics. And I'm not for more gov't but a simple test might help some folks be safer for them or anybody on the road with them. Many times a person that buys a RV it might be the first oversize vehicle they ever drove in their life.

The WA state RV dealers assoc convinced our state capitol that the state would lose tax $$ because of lower sales. Bill did not make it.

But did provide another example to me of what RV dealers and our state gov value more.

Francesca Knowles wrote:

matt_r wrote:
They where angry when they learned what we were getting and could not come within 30% of the price. I completely understand there reluctance to match what was clearly a “loss leader” for the dealer we purchased. At no time did they threaten to not service the out-of-state rig at the time of transaction. It was not until we attempted to schedule our first appointment.

And this was a surprise to you?

This is the second time you've told us that negotiations were so tense that they were actually "angry" with you. Hardly sounds like you went out of your way to evolve a friendly relationship with them to begin with. Why on earth would you expect them to greet you with open arms when you needed warranty work? Especially given that history, might it not be reasonable for them to expect that you might be more trouble during any other process they're involved in with you?

I'm skeptical that any generalities about Apache's willingness (or not) to service rigs not purchased there can be made in this case. I think it's more likely that they just don't want you yourself for a customer.

You assume a lot.

I understood this forum as a place to share information which I am doing. Its not a trial. I don’t appreciate or welcome your judgement. Particularly as off base as it is.

matt_r wrote:
They where angry when they learned what we were getting and could not come within 30% of the price. I completely understand there reluctance to match what was clearly a “loss leader” for the dealer we purchased. At no time did they threaten to not service the out-of-state rig at the time of transaction. It was not until we attempted to schedule our first appointment.

And this was a surprise to you?

This is the second time you've told us that negotiations were so tense that they were actually "angry" with you. Hardly sounds like you went out of your way to evolve a friendly relationship with them to begin with. Why on earth would you expect them to greet you with open arms when you needed warranty work? Especially given that history, might it not be reasonable for them to expect that you might be more trouble during any other process they're involved in with you?

I'm skeptical that any generalities about Apache's willingness (or not) to service rigs not purchased there can be made in this case. I think it's more likely that they just don't want you yourself for a customer.

Pinstriper wrote:
We shopped the dealers for our TT.

I contacted a dealer up in Seattle-ish, told them I was price comparing, and to please give me their best price so I could decide whether to make the trip up there or buy locally. They gave me a good price, I took it to the local dealer and said "I want to buy locally, I intend to use you for my service either way. Give me a reason not to go up there."

The local dealer didn't match the price, but came within $700 of them (on a ~$30k trailer). Close enough. I bought local.

I was transparent from the front with both dealers. My local never said anything about not being willing to service it if we didn't buy from them. Whether they would have dropped that on me later is, I guess, open to speculation.

Anyway, I think Apache's practice is pretty shortsighted and even spiteful. Many dealers of the same brands and line just don't have the exact unit you are looking for and you often couldn't buy from them in the first place. Makes no sense.

We where entirely transparent with Apache as well. We gave them one last shot to come close to the price we were getting out of state. They where angry when they learned what we were getting and could not come within 30% of the price. I completely understand there reluctance to match what was clearly a “loss leader” for the dealer we purchased. At no time did they threaten to not service the out-of-state rig at the time of transaction. It was not until we attempted to schedule our first appointment.

We shopped the dealers for our TT.

I contacted a dealer up in Seattle-ish, told them I was price comparing, and to please give me their best price so I could decide whether to make the trip up there or buy locally. They gave me a good price, I took it to the local dealer and said "I want to buy locally, I intend to use you for my service either way. Give me a reason not to go up there."

The local dealer didn't match the price, but came within $700 of them (on a ~$30k trailer). Close enough. I bought local.

I was transparent from the front with both dealers. My local never said anything about not being willing to service it if we didn't buy from them. Whether they would have dropped that on me later is, I guess, open to speculation.

Anyway, I think Apache's practice is pretty shortsighted and even spiteful. Many dealers of the same brands and line just don't have the exact unit you are looking for and you often couldn't buy from them in the first place. Makes no sense.

I would just note that I have bought two units from Apache and had excellent service from them on both. In fact one of the reasons I bought my second unit from them was the excellent service I received on the first one and they haven't disappointed me on the second. They have taken good care of me, squeezing me in for work even though they were fully booked, and I would recommend purchasing from them to anyone. Others have had similar experience with them in their purchases - take a look in the truck camper sections for some of the things they have done to help purchasers.

I did not know about it but I am not too surprised about their policy of not doing warranty work on units not purchased there. They are already very busy in summer and I know that even though they are one of the biggest Northwood dealers they are not fully reimbursed for warranty work (let alone make a profit). I suspect Outdoor RV has similar reimbursement rates.

One can argue if their policy of only taking care of their own customers for warranty work is the right one or not but it seems to work for them as they have been in business for a long time.

Having said all of that I certainly understand you buying elsewhere to save the money you did. I too have heard good things about the quality of the work from Evergreen RV.

Good luck

dodge guy wrote:
How does the dealer know in one phone call if you didn`t just move within the last year or 2. what if you moved and you needed service? without even asking, the dealer is going to say "too bad!" because you didn`t buy from them without even knowing any details.

Yes that is bad business practice!

Great point. In our case, we stated up front we just bought the rig from Idaho and had some warranty issues. We probably should have been more oblique about that fact. We never dreamed that would be their response.

How does the dealer know in one phone call if you didn`t just move within the last year or 2. what if you moved and you needed service? without even asking, the dealer is going to say "too bad!" because you didn`t buy from them without even knowing any details.

Yes that is bad business practice!