What would you do? Am I being unreasonable?

[kscamping]

We purchased a new 2015 Shasta Oasis in May. Before leaving the dealership, we had a grab bar installed at the door. We've since discovered the dealer technician drilled the two top screws in to nothing but sheet metal. The screws just spin and don't support the handle. With continued use, it's going to pull through the sheet metal entirely.

The technician had to have known he hit nothing when he drilled the screws in. It's impossible not to. I've asked the dealership for a refund on the install and to provide a resolution for the two holes that now compromise the integrity of the sheet metal.

What type of resolution would you ask for?

Thanks!

[TURBS]

Have them remove inner panel and re screw arm into some blocking.
@ there cost of course.



TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"

[kscamping]

I agree, that seems like a good solution. Here's the kicker, the dealership is 76 miles away from me. Which means I would have to take the camper there and leave it and then return. I'm not interested in making multiple trips at my expense for their mistake. Personally, I think they should send a mobile repair unit to my home.

[oxcamper]

Either a mobile repair like you mentioned, or perhaps call the dealer, tell them you will be there at such and such a time on this date and you will wait for the immediate repair and take it back home.
Yes, you're inconvenienced.
Yes, it's your $$ for fuel.
But if they can accomodate you, you may be less frustrated about the whole mess.

[rana]

That would probably be the "right" thing for them to do, but from their perspective, when it was an on premises job, there isn't any reasonable expectation for them to provide mobile services. They are willing to make good on their snafu at their expense. Which is "reasonable", albeit not the best of customer service and certainly not a convenience to you.

One approach I've often taken in situations like that is to "soft pitch" the ball in their court and see how they respond. Ie., "considering that it's an 80 mile trip one way for me, and I would be out the use of my rig for a period of time, how would you suggest we get this taken care of?"

Telling them what you want to have happen will immediately put up their defenses. Approach them reasonably and more often than not, they'll bend over backwards. I've even had an owner drive out after hours on his own dime to take care of quick fixes.

[mud yapster]

I don't think they will. Distance to a crapy dealer is a waste of time and money. This is why I make all my own mods and repairs. I know some people can't and I feel for them because most dealers have incompetent techs and only disappoint there customers. Your handle install for example. Disappointing.

[OldCoot]

Even tho' it is definitely their snafu, the simplest way to fix it is to drill the rest of the way thru the wall, make a metal or wooden backer plate and bolt completely thru the wall.

[Hexnut]

I may be off topic some, but the comments regarding technicians made me recall an incident when car phones were sometimes installed in your trunk. A coworker took a brand new Buick Park Avenue to a phone installer to have the mobile unit installed in the trunk. When he picked it up he nearly passed out when he saw 4 screws sticking out of the rear fender! The installer said "I used the shortest screws I could find" Sometimes we are unfortunate enough to get paired up with this level of intelligence.

[Harkerr]

Fix it yourself. You will be happy and done with it.

[Terier]

X2 on the soft approach. I would try for the easiest choice that will yield the desired result.

[asparky]

You shouldn't have to fix anything that warranted. Your frustration is the dealers best friend. I bet terrible dealer practices is the biggest complaint from RVer's. Some have learned to live with it as fixing it yourself seems the norm these days. I probably will never buy a new RV again. It just doesn't make sense. Same with extended warranties. Save the money you would spend on it for your repairs. You'll be money ahead on the average and won't have the frustration of no one wanting to honor them. Here again expect to fix your own... Its the industry norm these days

[hillsdaletc]

Your best bet for a good repair is to return to the dealer and have it repaired. depending on what is on the inside next to the door, the panel could be loosened and a block slid behind it as suggested earlier. OR the most solid way is to remove the entry door and slide the backer in behind the metal and screw through the door framing member for strength. since you are pulling with levered force this would be the most solid . This should be done in the shop where they have everything they need to do the job.
I would ask for something in return, nothing exorbitant but something maybe you could use while camping from their store. Most dealers would welcome this. most of all be fair ,you will get much farther.
Much better to get it done properly the first time than have to do something all over again.
It is so much better to have good relations between you both than to have animosity.

[Big Vic]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Even tho' it is definitely their snafu, the simplest way to fix it is to drill the rest of the way thru the wall, make a metal or wooden backer plate and bolt completely thru the wall.

X2
Long trip back to dealer which might result in another slipshod repair. Do it yourself or have a friend help. Should be relatively simple to fix with longer screws and some backing on the inside.

Of course, if you have other warranty repair issues, it may be worth a trip to the dealer.

[Baxters Dad]

The dealer sending a tech to your location to repair in the field is in all likelihood not going to happen. Dealers are not set up to do this, both logistically and liability wise.
The dealer should repair the obvious shoddy workmanship, but they will do it at their location. Pre-plan and set up an appointment early in the day, then drop off. A good dealer will throw you a bone, such as buying you lunch or a gift card, but don't count on it. Be happy if it just gets repaired.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by hillsdaletc

Your best bet for a good repair is to return to the dealer and have it repaired. depending on what is on the inside next to the door, the panel could be loosened and a block slid behind it as suggested earlier. OR the most solid way is to remove the entry door and slide the backer in behind the metal and screw through the door framing member for strength. since you are pulling with levered force this would be the most solid . This should be done in the shop where they have everything they need to do the job.
I would ask for something in return, nothing exorbitant but something maybe you could use while camping from their store. Most dealers would welcome this. most of all be fair ,you will get much farther.
Much better to get it done properly the first time than have to do something all over again.
It is so much better to have good relations between you both than to have animosity.

Sometimes you can't help but be mad at a dealer who doesn't do a warranty Item correctly and up to standards. I had to have a Sirius antenna replaced in my roof. The dealer did such a bad job, that I complained to the manager. He told me that if I didn't like the repair to take it to a different dealer for repairs. I have bought 3 FR trailers from them. I took pictures of the repair and sent them to FR. At Goshen they replaced my whole slide roof. The head guy from FR came to see me. I told him what happened with the dealer. He said that he would call them and no customer of FR should have been treated like that and he would call them. Well I thought it was just BS, but about a month later I got a letter of apologize from the dealer saying FR contacted them. Ask me to come back if I had anything else wrong and needed repair and they would take care of it either in warrenty or not at no charge to me. so sometimes you need to get mad and go over a dealers head.

[cj06]

Fix it your self or have some one else fix it and send the bill with your lawyer name and number to the dealer !

[cbconway]

Originally Posted by Terier

X2 on the soft approach. I would try for the easiest choice that will yield the desired result.

I agree. No need to get their defenses up prematurely. Good luck!

[PhoneDude 8289]

Request a refund for the labor they charged and fix it yourself.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by PhoneDude 8289

Request a refund for the labor they charged and fix it yourself.

X2 and forget any lawyer talk and pulling the door frame. It's not that big a repair/fix.

[kscamping]

Great responses. I appreciate everyone's input. I wish I could fix it myself. I can do most everything else myself as a nurse and single mom but handy work is one area where I lack ability and confidence.

I'll update everyone on the dealer response. I expect I'll end up paying for this out of pocket with someone local.