I sent Callen Campers (San Diego) detailed plans for a camper shell, along with a $2400 deposit, from my home in Utah, back in Jan 07.
The check was cashed before Jan 15 2007, followed up by a phone call from the fabricator. He claimed a build time of 8-12 weeks. This is the only phone call I have ever received from Callen.
When I called in April to hopefully schedule the delivery/installation of the shell, I was told there were design questions, and the shell hadn't been started yet.
So I made a special trip to Callen on Easter, April 8 2007, to clear up any questions, which we did, and was told 12 weeks for the build time.
When I called in September to arrange pickup (I'm in SoCal twice a year, Spring and Fall) I was told it wasn't complete, so we agreed to get it done by the Spring.
When I called in the Spring, on April 19 2008, to arrange pickup, I was told my shell was mostly done, but my desired pickup date may be a problem due to the impending birth of Scott Callens child, and we needed to schedule around that, I had some flexibility in my schedule, so that wasn't a problem.
As my desired pickup date drew near, I called multiple times over the better part of a week to arrange a pickup date, but the phones were off at the Callen shop, and my time in Ca. ran out, so I returned to Utah.
I found myself in SoCal in June 08, so I called on the 12th or 13th to arrange pickup, and I was informed my shell had been sold to someone "in a hurry". I told Scott Callen at that moment that I wanted out, to cancel my order, and refund my money.
After a month of waiting for the refund, I sent them a letter formally asking for a refund, and a return of the parts I also sent them, 2 Blitz Can carrier racks and a piece of pipe. That was 3 weeks ago.
After 18 months Callen has failed to build my shell, and refuses to refund my deposit.
I can't believe Callen has been in business this long treating customers like this, it seems they are blatantly trying to rip me off, and stall me, since the statute of limitations to sue them in small claims runs out in Jan 09.
I don't want to sue these clowns, I just want my frigging money back so I can order a different shell and get on with my life.
Do business with Callen at your own risk, I wouldn't advise it unless you are so close to them you can stop buy and hassle them in person on a weekly basis, but as far as trying to do long distance business with these slackers, don't do it.
Sorry to hear about this. From your story, it sounds like you flexibly provided Callen with a huge chunk of time to get your camper built (and on more than one occasion). To have this go on for this long and to then find out that your shell was sold out from underneath you is clearly unacceptable. I hope that you can get your deposit and parts back at this point, however, I would be more than a bit worried when considering Callen's track record to date on everything else.
Donny ... this is probably a long shot, but you might want to PM SoCalDesertRacer about your situation. He lives in San Diego and owns (or previously owned) a Callen camper, and has recommended Callen products a number of times on the forum (even fairly recently). I have no idea how well he knows Scott, but I suppose it's possible that he might have some insights on what is going on with Callen's business. Just a thought ...
You have to be in CA to do small claims so the next time you are there file the papers. You are one laid back dude to take all that but you need to get tough before the time limit runs out.
Per the San Diego BBB...
Business Contact Information Name: Callen Camper Co
Company Address: 125 Marshall
El Cajon, CA 92020
Principal: Jim Callen , Owner
Number of Employees: 1
BBB Accreditation Status: This company is not a BBB Accredited Business
Type of Business: Trailers - Equipment & Parts
Products and Services
This company offers parts and supplies for RVs, and motorhomes.
BBB Rating Back To Top Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to an unanswered complaints.
BBB processed a total of 3 complaints about this company in the last 12 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total 0 complaints closed in the last 36 months, 0 were closed in the last 12 months.
These complaints concerned:
1 regarding Refund Or Exchange Issues
3 regarding other issues
It would be really interesting to see if Callen's REALLY IS BUILDING UNITS, or just keeping partial completed units around, thus when a potential customer visits his shop they will see these units, and figure that everything is OK. But due to there money issues, they are just taking you order and cash with no intention of building it, due to there present financial situation. This ploy is used every day in the construction industry. BIG TALK, NO ACTION.
You will be lucky to get your money back, but I hope you do.
Here is their web registration contact info
Callen Camper
tami443@cox.net
125 S MARSHALL AVE
EL CAJON, CA 92020-4207
US
Phone: 619-442-3305
Fax: 619-442-7397
I just sent them a nice email. also info@callencamper.com
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