Dealer service centers.

[wellsy]

We are going to purchase a travel trailer by the end of this month. I found the trailer we like in Liberty MO, $4,000 cheaper than in Denver. Told that to the Denver sales guy and he said to take into consideration that a service department will take the people that bought a trailer from them ahead of someone else who bought out of state.

Is this a problem with RV service centers, of just a ploy and tactic?

[ependydad]

He's right. Dealers put their customers first. BUT, I avoid dealers for service work at all costs. They suck.

Mobile RV techs and independent repair shops. Contact your manufacturer about what the process is for them to do warranty work.

Usually you have to get pre-approval and then get reimbursed. They often don’t pay for the mobile tech site visit but the convenience is worth it.

[wellsy]

Originally Posted by ependydad

He's right. Dealers put their customers first. BUT, I avoid dealers for service work at all costs. They suck.

Mobile RV techs and independent repair shops. Contact your manufacturer about what the process is for them to do warranty work.

Usually you have to get pre-approval and then get reimbursed. They often don’t pay for the mobile tech site visit but the convenience is worth it.

So just contact Coachman and ask what the process is?

[robo44]

Funny (not so) you mentioned that When we purchase our RV in 2018 in SoCal we live in Northern California I had this same issue.
There was no Forrest River Representative in NorCal that was authorized for Warranty work (this has now changed) but when I was looking for local RV Service Centers (Dealers) in NorCal, even though they sold Forrest River Products they would quote me longer service times or even deny accepting the work. They gave the "You did not buy it from us, so we will quote you 9 Months or not t all" so In short, Yea it happens and happened to me! Still does to this day where I live...

So I go now to a non Dealer Center, I dont want to travel 500 Miles to SoCal to the Dealer I purchased it from. I find a Non Dealer RV Repair Shop

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by robo44

Funny (not so) you mentioned that When we purchase our RV in 2018 in SoCal we live in Northern California I had this same issue.
There was no Forrest River Representative in NorCal that was authorized for Warranty work (this has now changed) but when I was looking for local RV Service Centers (Dealers) in NorCal, even though they sold Forrest River Products they would quote me longer service times or even deny accepting the work. They gave the "You did not buy it from us, so we will quote you 9 Months or not t all" so In short, Yea it happens and happened to me! Still does to this day where I live...

So I go now to a non Dealer Center, I dont want to travel 500 Miles to SoCal to the Dealer I purchased it from. I find a Non Dealer RV Repair Shop

When we lived in Napa, we bought our first new trailer from a Chicago dealer and drove there and back to get it. FR helped us find 3 local dealers willing to do the warranty work. One of them didn't carry any FR products.

[Boborc]

If the dealer said that, they practice that policy. Most dealer service departments are useless anyway. I would stay away from that place, once you drive away the service department will probably treat you like any other schmo looking for service and wait will be month's. Get your best price then find a local trailer repair shop or do it yourself.

[WanderMore]

The whole dealer service/sales scam (you heard me right) does not pass the Goofy Test. These are recreational vehicles designed to TRAVEL! According to Murphy’s Law you are not likely to require service while in the neighborhood of your local dealer. There needs to be better & more transparent service networks in place. If the nearest dealer can’t/won’t service you in a timely fashion then the manufacturer should step up and recommend a factory authorized 3rd party rep for warranty work. Warranty work should be placed high on the list if a manufacturer really stands behind their product.

[wellsy]

Originally Posted by WanderMore

The whole dealer service/sales scam (you heard me right) does not pass the Goofy Test. These are recreational vehicles designed to TRAVEL! According to Murphy’s Law you are not likely to require service while in the neighborhood of your local dealer. There needs to be better & more transparent service networks in place. If the nearest dealer can’t/won’t service you in a timely fashion then the manufacturer should step up and recommend a factory authorized 3rd party rep for warranty work. Warranty work should be placed high on the list if a manufacturer really stands behind their product.

I figured as much. Just seemed like a scam and if they turn away service, which is where they make their money do I really want to buy from them anyway?

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by wellsy

We are going to purchase a travel trailer by the end of this month. I found the trailer we like in Liberty MO, $4,000 cheaper than in Denver. Told that to the Denver sales guy and he said to take into consideration that a service department will take the people that bought a trailer from them ahead of someone else who bought out of state.

Is this a problem with RV service centers, of just a ploy and tactic?

Not a ploy. Forest River even states in their brochures and website about buying locally...and how dealers are free to pick and choose what they want to work on.

https://forestriverinc.com/buy-local.aspx

[wellsy]

Originally Posted by wmtire

Not a ploy. Forest River even states in their brochures and website about buying locally...and how dealers are free to pick and choose what they want to work on.

https://forestriverinc.com/buy-local.aspx

Don't EVER see that with a car or truck... ever...

[Jim34RL]

Originally Posted by wellsy

Don't EVER see that with a car or truck... ever...

That is because the automotive dealers are franchise business, that sell only one brand of vehicle out of that dealership. Where as the recreation dealerships are not. But they are independent dealers that may sell several different manufactures brand of trailers. I know my dealer sells Forest River Products and Keystone Products of different trailer models out of the same dealership.

[wellsy]

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

That is because the automotive dealers are franchise business, that sell only one brand of vehicle out of that dealership. Where as the recreation dealerships are not. But they are independent dealers that may sell several different manufactures brand of trailers. I know my dealer sells Forest River Products and Keystone Products of different trailer models out of the same dealership.

that makes sense...thx!

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by wellsy

Don't EVER see that with a car or truck... ever...

That's because the RV Industry IS NOT the Automotive Industry. Two totally different animals. There is a lot more regulation on Automotive.

Aaron

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

That's because the RV Industry IS NOT the Automotive Industry. Two totally different animals. There is a lot more regulation on Automotive.

Aaron

Yep, the only thing that they have in common, is that they sell things on wheels at dealerships. Other than, they couldn't be more different.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by wellsy

So just contact Coachman and ask what the process is?

Yes.

[robo44]

Just to pile on, the Chassis as you all know Ford F53 warranty is covered by Ford.

Ford Commercial Websites will state where you "should" be able to take your Motorhome in for warranty work. Again when I bought mine FR3 there were 15 or so Ford Dealers & Ford Commercial Truck locations within 100 Miles of me.

Only 1 would take my RV in for warranty work. Many were dealers who did not have the space or bays (I get it), but the Ford Commercial Dealers do and did. (there were 5 near me) They just ad no interest in doing Ford Warranty work over fleets or other commercial work. Told me to pound sand.

I did find a location 44 miles away and am happy when I need it, but even complained to Corporate Ford to either update their Commercial Vehicle website or remove those who wont perform Warranty work.

Lesson on that find your Ford Warranty location before you need it. For those items you cant do yourself, locate a reputable local RV Repair Shop

Cause when you need it like i did it was frustrating as all hell finding a Authorized Ford Warranty location within 100 Mile of me

[wellsy]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Yes.

thx!

[AlaskaErik]

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

That is because the automotive dealers are franchise business, that sell only one brand of vehicle out of that dealership. Where as the recreation dealerships are not. But they are independent dealers that may sell several different manufactures brand of trailers. I know my dealer sells Forest River Products and Keystone Products of different trailer models out of the same dealership.

There is a Ford/Hyundai dealership two miles from me. Same building, same lot, same showroom, same service area.

[JPT]

Legally, they cannot force you to service your rig at approved dealers. just contact Forest River and they will share the process with you. You can opt to service the trailer at a place of your choosing, or even do the work yourself and submit for the parts. You will have to front the costs yourself, but should be able to get reimbursed when submitting the receipts. They generally will require pre-approval, but once you get connected with the right person at Forest River, you can simply get that by email in advance.


Finding someone to do the work and paying them yourself at the time of service will get you MUCH faster service than the months at "approved service centers".

[wellsy]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

There is a Ford/Hyundai dealership two miles from me. Same building, same lot, same showroom, same service area.

I'm lost this thread isn't about ford or hyundai....