Local RV dealer/parts place a rip off!!!

[mrsscooter]

Ok so I am just venting, because it just really ticks me off that people will lie about anything to anyone just to make a buck........

So, we have been tossing around the idea of replacing our awning and finally decided to do it. However, we found that it would be significantly cheaper to just buy the replacement awning and do it ourselves. We went to the local RV place, figuring we would keep it local and give the business to the guy in town. So, first of all, our awning hardware and roller are way over ten years old (Faulkner) and they dont make them anymore, so the rv place said that we would be better off buying a whole new setup for 1200.00......choke choke choke.......so then we said we would buy the awning fabric and just have them replace that instead. So, they go into the big song and dance about there no being any garuntee that the splines would fit, etc. and by the way, there is no return., BUT they would order it for us for 245.00 for the fabric and 56.00 for the shipping, oh, and they would put it on for us but they would charge us 89.00 per hour, per guy, and it takes at the minimum two hours with two guys...i.e. 356.00. So, now we are up to 657.00 and dont forget the 50.00 road charge for them to come to us to put it on the camper......even though we TOW our camper, that has WHEELS so we can TAKE IT CAMPING....we were willing to bring it to them. Ok, so now we are up to 707.00 Now, after getting off the phone with the sales rep and fuming on the phone to my husband he goes on line to some camper supply place out of Texas, I think. He was able to find the exact awning for only 220.00 with a promotional free shipping and it arrived by ups within 3 days. It came with 3 spline sizes and directions. AND it was returnable as long as you bought again from their company. Plus my hubby had great customer service on the phone and the sales rep answered all questions without any issues.


Okay, three days later..........awning comes......its soooo purty........the hubby and a friend and my self, were able to take off the old awning and install the new awning within an hour. Again.......its soooo purty!!! LOL

I am still so peeved, I just want to call our local rv place....HI WAY CAMPERS and tell them what a bunch of crap shovelers they are! They are now lovingly referred to in our home as "HI WAY SCAMMERS".

Ok, I am done, I promise..........But I knew that at least ONE of you guys can relate!

 

[auntie]

What a huge difference. I'm glad it worked out for you.

I'm worried now, because we need to have the spring replaced on our awning..last time we rolled it in by hand. NOT something we want to keep doing. Wonder what they'll charge me for that....

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

It may be that the shop just didnt want to do the job, often places will bid high prices on jobs they dont like to do. Most people are upset if a shop wont price a repair so they may have just priced it according to their PITA scale.
Its also possible that the shop has had trouble getting the right parts and or materials from their suppliers. A lot of brick and mortar operations are undercut by by online vendors that are more knowledgable in a particular area.
Dont get me wrong, you are right to scrutinize the difference in prices, just trying to offer some possible reasons.
I am a do it yourselfer and have save so much money over the years doing my own repairs, then spent it all at WDW

 

[des1954]

I am a do it yourselfer and have save so much money over the years doing my own repairs, then spent it all at WDW

What he said!

 

[mrsscooter]

It may be that the shop just didnt want to do the job, often places will bid high prices on jobs they dont like to do. Most people are upset if a shop wont price a repair so they may have just priced it according to their PITA scale.
Its also possible that the shop has had trouble getting the right parts and or materials from their suppliers. A lot of brick and mortar operations are undercut by by online vendors that are more knowledgable in a particular area.
Dont get me wrong, you are right to scrutinize the difference in prices, just trying to offer some possible reasons.
I am a do it yourselfer and have save so much money over the years doing my own repairs, then spent it all at WDW

I can understand all of what you said.......but this particular place is the only place in the area and they are pretty busy. I can totally understand not wanting to do the job, but I guess in todays economy you would figure they would want the business.....I know they have to charge for time and parts, but being taken for all your worth seems a bit much. Oh well.....either way, our awning got replaced and looks soooo purty...........My hubby is also a do it yourselfer and now he can add "awning replacement engineer" to his resume!

AND.............now have extra money to spend at Disney!!!! LOL

 

[mrsscooter]

What a huge difference. I'm glad it worked out for you.

I'm worried now, because we need to have the spring replaced on our awning..last time we rolled it in by hand. NOT something we want to keep doing. Wonder what they'll charge me for that....

Hopefully not too much! Just check around if you have mulitple RV places in your area. I was mad at the fact that we were going to be paying more for a PART for the camper than what the camper itself is actually worth....LOL

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Well......theres a note for all the CONNECTICUT area rv owners.....


STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM
HI WAY CAMPERS

 

[mrsscooter]

BDR you crack me up!!!! but you said what I was thinking!!!! They are the kind of dealership that if you bring your rig in to fix a leaking pipe they will tell you it cant be fixed and try and sell you a new set up. Robbers I tell you......robbers! Hence the name "HI WAY SCAMMERS"

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I meant to offer some what ifs, albeit long winded.

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

mrsscooter - do you know the name of the company that your DH ordered the awning from? When we bought our RV, the previous owner told us that the small awning over the passenger door was ripped, but we haven't had it fixed yet. I wonder if we could just order one and do it ourselves. If you know the name, please let me know and I'll give them a call.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I meant to offer some what ifs, albeit long winded.

You're a good guy Scott...always offering the benefit of a doubt. I should take a lesson from you instead of always going straight for the jugular!

 

[mrsscooter]

I meant to offer some what ifs, albeit long winded.

Oh, no worries..........what ifs are good, I tend to jump the gun and THEN do the what ifs. Its all good..........long winded or not.....

 

[mrsscooter]

mrsscooter - do you know the name of the company that your DH ordered the awning from? When we bought our RV, the previous owner told us that the small awning over the passenger door was ripped, but we haven't had it fixed yet. I wonder if we could just order one and do it ourselves. If you know the name, please let me know and I'll give them a call.

The site is www.rvworkshop.com I hope you have the service that we did!!!

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

The site is www.rvworkshop.com I hope you have the service that we did!!!

Thanks for the info. I'm heading to the website right now!