rockhillmanor
On the Road
Senior Member
Joined: 12/06/2003
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I decided that when I went full time I would afford myself the luxury of letting the RV dealership do all my repairs.
I had bought new standard height toilet a few months ago and when I went to install it I got it all in (it's not rocket science)I couldn't find the correct hose connections at the local hardware to finish the job so I took it all off again and reinstalled the original one.
The on and off, and back on of the original one took me all of about 15 minutes.
I just got back from 'my luxury of letting the dealership do it' and for installing a supplied toilet and fixing the handle on the antenna my bill was $400.00!
Then to add insult to injury he presented me with the quote for 6 new tires. It was double the price per tire PLUS $200.00 to mount them!
Went to the local tire shop in town and ordered 6 new tires for HALF the price of the dealership. AND the price included 6 new stainless steel valve stems.
I most certainly can afford repairs but geeesh they MUST be hurting at the RV dealerships to be doubling all the repair costs. The service manager followed me all the way out to the MH just about begging me to let him put the new tires on.
The service department bays were all empty, certainly not the norm for this time of year.
31 ft Four Winds
Chevy Tracker 4x4 BlueOx Aventa LX
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
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fordsooperdootydieselsmoker
OrangeCountyCalifornia
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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Hey, the good news might be that all of our RV's are so well made now that they don't need dealer servicing anymore! 
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Cloud Dancer
San Antonio and Livingston TX USA
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Joined: 06/08/2001
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fordsooperdootydieselsmoker wrote:Hey, the good news might be that all of our RV's are so well made now that they don't need dealer servicing anymore!
Mine has NEVER EVER been to a dealer, not even to the dealer that sold it to me (picked it up at factory).
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
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marvmarcy
Polson, MT, USA
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Joined: 04/19/2003
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If the dealers want our business, they should be dropping the prices and offering specials to encourage us to use their service department. When they raise the prices, most folks go somewhere else for those services that aren't dealer-unique.
JMHO
Marv
2001 Volvo VNL42T420, ISX450/1650, super 10sp w/GearMaster
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire 38RLRK
Piaggio MP3 400 scooter
RVing since 1979 - Fulltime since 2000 (mostly CO, MT, NC & Key West)
Retired USAF
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WTTCS
freedom , U.S.A.
Senior Member
Joined: 07/28/2003
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Most dealers realize that rv owners are at the top of the feeding trough, so they take advantage of that. If you so desire, you too can throw you money away at the dealerships, do it yourself or find a "shade tree mechanic" that is usually cheaper and better than those in the dealerships.
1997 chev crew cab 454, 5 sp. 4.10
2000 Fleetwood Caribou 11.5
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Craig P.
Southern California
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Joined: 09/20/2002
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Went to my local RV dealer to price a pair of wiper blades. I was quoted $110 total for both blades, which also included the wiper assembly, which I didn't need. I drove promptly to Napa and got wiper refills for $6 total.
They will have to do a massive turn-around if they want my business.
2005 Providence 39J
2007 Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab Dingy
2002 EZ-Go Custom Electric Golf Cart
Thousand Trails & Coast to Coast Members
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LoudRam
New Jersey
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Joined: 04/20/2008
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Craig P. wrote:Went to my local RV dealer to price a pair of wiper blades. I was quoted $110 total for both blades, which also included the wiper assembly, which I didn't need. I drove promptly to Napa and got wiper refills for $6 total.
They will have to do a massive turn-around if they want my business.
But they were special RV blades, made with RV rubber. They also had special RV arms that cleaned your windshield better too. They didn't tell you that part? That's why they cost so much. 
Todd
Desert Storm Vet (US Navy)
2002 Fleetwood Prowler Lynx 30'
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4X4 w/360 (not stock)
Predator DX2 brake controller
Equalizer Sway Control Hitch
If you can read this thank a teacher
If you can read this in english thank a vet
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YC 1
Yuba City Calif.
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Joined: 01/11/2005
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Stopped at our rv dealer yesterday to buy a simple plug. Very helpful and friendly. I couldn't help noticing their normally over flowing parking area was only about 2/3 full. I mentioned the gas prices etc and he commented that "yeah, we're felling the crunch".
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minnow
Upstate New York
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Joined: 08/30/2001
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So you see, there is an upside to high gas prices - it may very well give some of these RV dealers(A.K.A. Crooks) a reality check. These guys who have had it too good for too long may now just have to start earning our business and stop taking it for granted.
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mark1228
Helena, MT
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Joined: 04/19/2008
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I am a dealer and we don't take anybody's business for granted. Maybe some do, we don't. There are alot of very good, honest family run RV dealers in business in the this country, most of whom are not crooks. Sure, there are some that are dishonest, over priced etc., but in my experience that is not most of them.
I can't speak for any other dealer, but our service dept. is taking appts. for over 4 weeks out. We have added 3 additional techs. this year. May be bad in some places, we are not one of them.
Yes, the RV business had been great for years, but it has also been VERY competitive and I would argue that we have had to work harder to earn business for a long time because of that. JMHO
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