where to find relevant service reputation AND big chain dealer vs. local?
retread said
02:43 PM Jan 8, 2009
Where can we find out about a specific dealerships service dept. reputation? We're concerned that the really friendly sales person may not be available when we need service and would like to check the two dealerships that have almost the same price on our trailer choice.
Also, one is a big chain (Camping World) and the other is a family owned dealership. We'd love to hear from people regarding pro's and con's.
Thanks so much!
RVDude said
02:57 PM Jan 8, 2009
Like the people who post, you'll also get wildly varying opinions about any dealer or service provider. Do Google searches for your specific dealer and see what comes up. Also check (using the search feature on each site) the high volume forum/opinion boards like rv.net and irv2.com. Check the BBB web BBB.org site as well. Finally check rvservicereviews.com as they have something too.
Speedhitch said
03:12 PM Jan 8, 2009
Not sure where you are located but you might find some members of this forum that have used those dealers and they can give you first hand information.
Joe and Sherri
retread said
03:15 PM Jan 8, 2009
Wow - that was quick! We'll check those website RV-Dude. Speedy, we're in Texas and looking at Cardinal models at the New Braunfels Camping World and Colonia Del Ray in Corpus Christi. We're new in this forum and were unsure if it was o.k. to ask a question regarding reputation. I suppose people can contact us directly if it's inappropriate to put comments on the forum?
Thanks again!
NorCal Dan said
03:00 PM Jan 10, 2009
The dealership where we bought our class A does a lot of business and sales via the internet. And they will deliver. I just wanted to mention this so you don't feel like you have to shop locally.
When I was shopping for our RV I talked to an RV dealership in Arizona that actually took a wifi video camera out to the coach I was interested in and then shot live video while I watched from home on my computer. I was able to ask them to show me area's of the coach that interested me.
Luvglass said
09:06 AM Jan 11, 2009
If your planning on being a traveling full timer, then just go for the best deal as you'll be getting sevice in different parts of the country. It would be a major pain to have to return to your original dealer every time you need something done.
I think it's best to choose a brand that has a strong national distributor network and a reputation for good warranty practices. Most popular brands have online forums where you can check out their reputations.
Good luck,
retread said
07:48 PM Jan 13, 2009
Thanks everyone! Turns out both dealers seem to have decent reputations, so we're going to go with the Camping World as it's a almost two hundred miles closer. By checking those websites, we found a dealer near our home base that will be good to take care of things that can wait 'till we're in the area. They completed the hitch and braker controller installations for us on Monday and were fantastic!
Thanks again!
SoonToTravel said
08:36 PM Jan 18, 2009
In our experience we have found that the dealership where you buy your unit will be very, very friendly. Then when you have to go back for warranty work or any other problems after the warranty runs out, they aren't as friendly or give you the run around.
We have had to buy our units 5 to 6 hours from our home. Only 2 to choose from. It's been difficult to talk with our sales person face to face.
Hope your experience is better than ours. We will buy another unit from Cross Roads or buy from Carolina Camper & Sales.
Also, one is a big chain (Camping World) and the other is a family owned dealership. We'd love to hear from people regarding pro's and con's.
Thanks so much!
When I was shopping for our RV I talked to an RV dealership in Arizona that actually took a wifi video camera out to the coach I was interested in and then shot live video while I watched from home on my computer. I was able to ask them to show me area's of the coach that interested me.
We have had to buy our units 5 to 6 hours from our home. Only 2 to choose from. It's been difficult to talk with our sales person face to face.
Hope your experience is better than ours. We will buy another unit from Cross Roads or buy from Carolina Camper & Sales.