Huntindog wrote:
gemsworld wrote:
"Because folks like many in this thread keep saying that it's all just part of the game, and that the O.P. should just bite the bullet and do repairs himself. Every time someone says/does that, further motivation is supplied to the industry to just put any ol' piece-of-you-know-what out there.'
Exactly! As long as we are willing to accept crappy products and make excuses for shoddy workmanship and inferior components used in the RV industry, don't expect quality to go up. We are our worst enemy.
The RV industry needs a rude awakening like the auto industry experienced when well-made foreign cars almost put the American automakers out of business.
The problem is that the auto industry is more competitive than the RV industry. There is no Japanese competition to wake them up like the auto industry had happen to them.
And often the repairs are inept, that even a low skilled handyman can do better/faster.
I will rarely if ever go to the dealer with a problem.
First off is the time and convenience. Getting my TT to a dealer will kill half a day. Picking it up another half a day.... Most times I will be disappointed in the repair. I can often do better in 20 minutes with the tools and supplies I have in my garage.
Then there is the down time. Given that I can fix it better and faster than the dealer, why leave it sit for days, weeks, months, while nothing is happening to it?
But then again my handyman skills are advanced compared to many... I am often disappointed by the auto dealers as well. I have had them screw up the most simple repairs.... Had a battery replaced once... They did not install the hold down! I put it on in 5 minutes. Have had them screw up oil changes more ways than I can remember.
The list goes on.
It really has nothing to do with being a "weenie" and more to do with how I prefer to spend my time. That and I find my head hurts a lot less from banging it against the wall.:B
Yes sir, you and I see it exactly the same way. But then as I pointed out earlier, some folks just don't have tools or skills to use them. Or they may not even have the desire to work on these things. Those are the folks who constant come to the forums asking about where to get good dealer service, poor industry practices, etc. I'm not talking about the OP here, I'm merely making the observations that some of us are more comfortable fixing and modding our own stuff. I love working on things and seeing the results of my work when it's done.
I also know, as you have pointed out, it's going to take more than just some consumers getting ticked off and taking trailers back to dealers for warranty fixes to change this industry. The truth is, when enough folks stop buying a brand, the brand goes out of business, and another one pops up a few months later to fill that gap. Same folks, different name, same quality.
I have better things to do with my limited time than to try to change the industry.
Again though, I hope the OP gets quick and satisfactory repairs to his camper. These repairs should be able to be completed in a day, so with any luck, he will have his camper back by this weekend or next.
