sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Joined: 11/18/2001
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Moved from 5th wheels to Gen'l Rving Issues.
Frank
RV.net blog
For those of you looking for expert advice, here ya go!
Frank
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davelinde
Freehold, New Jersey
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Joined: 11/02/2003
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wittmeba wrote:With either RVW or RVD, what do you do for service? I would think any local dealer might be a little upset with you for not working with them. I would be concerned that if you had a problem that 'required' dealer service it may be difficult to get help.
I had one local dealer tell me flat out that they would not service anything I bought from RVD. So I didn't use them. I went to another local dealer for service (under warranty) and they had no problem doing it.
So far on my RVW deal I had two warranty issues on parts and RVW shipped me the parts to install myself (easier and cheaper than towing my rig anywhere for minor service). If I need factory authorized service I'll find someone I'm sure.
Think about it... an RV moves by definition! My RV spends many months of each year 1000 miles from "home". A "local" is not that important to me.
If I could have gotten a local deal that was even close I would have done it. Both times I tried, I could not do it so I walked on the local deal and bought from a national discounter. I would do it again.
Dave Lindemulder
Tammy, Mark & Kirsten
04 Dodge 2500 4x4 SLT QC/SB
HO-CTD/48RE - Graphite: Raptor SS nerfs, Prodigy, Reese 16K Kwik-slide, BD X-Monitor, PML Trans pan, PML Diff cover, Firestone Airbags
09 Heartland Cyclone 3210
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Aridon
SE Florida
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Joined: 06/06/2007
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My inlaws purchased from them and loved the experience. They know that if they have issue they'll either have to go back to RV Direct / install / fix themselves or go to the factory.
The warranty is mostly one year anyways and the individual components are warrantied by different companies regardless who have large service networks. The actual selling dealer is perhaps one of the most insignificant parts of the sale IMO. You can get service elsewhere.
For just about anything truly major, you are going to end up at the individual manufacturer service centers or the factory anyways.
* This post was
edited 10/02/08 04:13pm by Aridon *
2008 Newmar 4330 (Modified)
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SemperFiCop
USA
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Joined: 10/19/2007
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Buy from the Cheapest Dealer
and
Do Not Worry about the Local Guy...
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Rough2000
Arkansas
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Joined: 06/10/2006
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When I bought my Designer I showed my local dealer the price RV Direct gave me. My local dealer came within five hundred dollars of Directs price. My local dealer knew I couldn't drive to Iowa for five hundred dollar, and I knew I couldn't drive to Iowa for five hundred...thus we had a deal. However, my local dealer did tell me that if I bought from Direct, he would still be happy to do any warranty work. I'm glad I had a local dealer smart enough to make the deal, and not make me mad by telling me he wouldn't service my unit if I didn't buy from him.
2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab w/Cummin's
2009 Jayco Designer 34 RLQS
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Pawz4me
North Carolina
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Joined: 06/05/2007
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We were very happy with our buying experience through RVDirect.
We tried to get the local dealer to come somewhere close to their price (within a couple thousand would've kept our business local), but they wouldn't budge and tried to bad-mouth RVDirect.
We made the trip to Buffalo and found another dealer about an hour away from here who has been happy to do the little bit of warranty work we've needed. They will, of course, continue to get our maintenance work.
If/when we're in the market for another RV, we'll definitely consider going through RVDirect again.
Me and the DH 
Two boys and two dogs (and two cats who prefer to stay home)
2008 Forest River Georgetown 350DS (bunkhouse model)
2001 Honda CR-V
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Hiking Hunter
Warrior, Alabama
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Joined: 08/27/2008
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Just returned from picking up our new 5th wheel in Elkhart, Indiana purchased from RV Direct. Very good experience all the way around. Saved around $4500. Local dealer just wouldn't deal.
Amateur Radio WA4GIY
2009 Laredo 29RL
2001 Ford F250, 7.3L TD
Curt E5 with a slider
Tekonsha P3 controller
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wittmeba
Roanoke, Va
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Joined: 02/02/2001
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DaveLinde,
Thanks for your thorough answer. I too would consider most non-major repairs myself and would usually travel ~200 miles or so for almost any repair if needed.
Do most/any mfgs understand that some buy from these wholesalers?
Do they understand when a dealer doesnt want to service a rig bought from one of them?
Do mfgs support warranty service at shops that dont carry their line of RV's in the event there isnt anyone close?
Bruce & Carolyn Wittmeier
Viet Nam Vet 1968-69
I was born in Great Falls, Mt. My parents moved when I was 5.
I found them when I was 10 - they were in California.
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