I am a little confused about the warranties, meaning, if a new owner says there is a problem with something, why doesn't the dealer just replace it? I have bought 2 new trailers in the last 4-5 years and have had issues with both.
The first trailer had a problem with the water heater. Blue flames jutting several feet from the outside cover and a large "boom" and I mean "BOOM" while we were in the trailer and the entire trailer shook. Because the dealer could not re-create the problem, they said there was no problem. Now honestly, WHY WOULD I LIE? I really don't want to bring my trailer in for service if I don't have to. What a Pain in the A$$!
Now my new trailer HAS a malfunctioning keypad on the microwave. Again, during our first trip, it worked maybe 1/2 the time. Kept having to open and close the door and trying again. Sure enough, take it to the dealer and it works fine. My guess is some sort of loose wire? Anyway, since the dealer couldn't re-create the issue, no replacement. My guess is that we will continue to have problems with this. Again, WHY WOULD I LIE? Why would I want something replaced if it worked fine?
So my question, does the dealer really need to re-create the issues before they replace something? The dealer said that about 1/2 the time, when people say something doesn't work, that it really does. Again, why would someone lie? Why replace a perfectly good appliance without a reason? Does it cost the dealer anything, especially within the first year?
I need some advice.
Debbie
4 Mini Schnauzers, 3 stay-at-home cats
2003 Ford Expedition EB, V8, 5.4L, 4x4, 3.73
2009 23SS Shamrock
I don't think the factory give a dealer their normal hourly labor rate. Making a tape of the issue sounds like a good plan though. At least the service dept. will know you are not nuts. I think they must get a lot of people who try to use an appliance incorrectly is why they said that, also it may be just a minor problem so the appliance may not need to be replaced just adjusted or a minor part replaced. Why replace a $300.00-$500.00 water heater if all it needs is adjusted?
because amazingly enough, there are a whole lot of human errors out there being called malfunctions. So many people think the instruction manuals on their components and appliances are bird cage liner. Which they sort of are, but on occasion, you actually learn something from them. Or looking it up online from the manufacturer of the component. Or calling them directly (the maker of the malfunctioning appliance or whatever) The dealer is in business to sell them and hopefully have few problems. With regard to your microwave keypad, there is a child-lock function on it if it's the same as our 2009 Roo which I suspect it is . It may have gotten hit accidentally. Read the instruction manual on it. The stove manual also has a lot of troubleshooting things regarding the blue flames etc. too. You may have already gone through all that, but if not, I would. Then you can tell the dealer or Forest River directly, that you read everything and did what all it suggested to troubleshoot as well. Might get some respect. Forest River's service manager can be called direct if you want as well. Perhaps you have a really crappy dealer, it's not unheard of. In which case, I'd call Forest River and discuss that as well. The dealers, whether it's where you purchased or just a certified FR service dealer, have to be able to verify it was a true repair in order to get the reimbursement so they're gonna be pains about it lots of times, especially given just like someone else said, the dealer is charging 80,90,100 per hour for labor and not getting reimbursed by FR that amount.
I like the taping thing, but what a pain to have to turn on a vidcam everytime you want to use something just to see if it doesn't work right that particular time. Sure hope you get this resolved soon, sounds like a major PITA. Good luck!
The water heater could not be taped as we never knew what would happen next and with blue flames or big booms, did not feel safe with the thing on either. We were scared the trailer was going to blow up!
However, I did think about video taping the microwave, which I will, next time we go out. I don't think it was the child lock, but I will look into it. If it was the child lock, I would think nothing would work, and like I said, the keypad worked about 50% of the time. Not just me, other people who camped with me too. Unfortunately, how do you correct/adjust the keypad. Sounds to me that the microwave would need to be replaced?
Have you ensured the microwave is plugged in properly? That's pretty easy to do. It's also easy to put it on your kitchen counter and see if it works. Running back to the dealer for "warranty service" for a plug that vibrated out wastes a lot of your time. If the microwave is truly non functional and the dealer is unresponsive contact the manufacturer directly -- they warrant the trailer, not the dealer.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland Our Photo pages
At least with Jayco, the dealer has to check that the item is malfuncioning and has to send the defective part to Jayco before they get reimbursed.
Example: On my 23B, I was on the road and stopped at a Jayco dealer to have the water pump looked at. When the pump switch was on, the pump would run every 8 minutes. The dealer verified this and replaced the pump after checking with Jayco.
On my 28RLS, I had a fitting leaking on the water heater. Jayco told the dealer to put pressure at 40 psi to see if it leaked at this standard pressure. The leak appeared at 20 psi, Jayco authorized a new water heater. Took a couple of weeks to get the heater in.
For some other problems, the service manager has taken pictures and sent them to Jayco for verification of a problem. Jayco has okayed any work requested.
So, the important thing seems to be that the problem be duplicated at the dealership. They have to have proof in order to get reimbursed.
GeneKiwi
2006 Silverado 2500HD
2005 Scion XB (the lunchbox)
2007 Jayco Jay Flight 28RLS
Posted: 08/12/08 04:10pm Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator
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At least with Jayco, the dealer has to check that the item is malfuncioning and has to send the defective part to Jayco before they get reimbursed.
Example: On my 23B, I was on the road and stopped at a Jayco dealer to have the water pump looked at. When the pump switch was on, the pump would run every 8 minutes. The dealer verified this and replaced the pump after checking with Jayco.
On my 28RLS, I had a fitting leaking on the water heater. Jayco told the dealer to put pressure at 40 psi to see if it leaked at this standard pressure. The leak appeared at 20 psi, Jayco authorized a new water heater. Took a couple of weeks to get the heater in.
For some other problems, the service manager has taken pictures and sent them to Jayco for verification of a problem. Jayco has okayed any work requested.
So, the important thing seems to be that the problem be duplicated at the dealership. They have to have proof in order to get reimbursed.
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GeneKiwi
2006 Silverado 2500HD
2005 Scion XB (the lunchbox)
2007 Jayco Jay Flight 28RLS
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Is Jayco implying there dealers don't lie!! LOL
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Is Jayco implying there dealers don't lie!! LOL
Not sure what you are implying but Jayco has taken care of any problem that I have had on any one of my three Jayco's.
Just seems a good business policy to make sure something is really defective and needs to be fixed.
If a dealer reports something to Jayco, one of Jayco's techs may have a solution to the problem that the dealer isn't aware of and the repair may be easily made.
I work in a Auto dealership parts department and it is the sameway. They are not trying to be a pain in the but by having to verify the problem. With it being a warranty repair they have to send those parts back. If the manufacturer test them and they test good they dont get paid! I always tell our customer if I could find something wrong I would liove to fix it that is how we get paid! Also if it is like the car industry you dont get paid for checking problem if you dont find something wrong. In other words if we check what you sy isnt working and it works for us we get paid nothing my the manufacuter for the time to check that problem. You multiply that by 20 customers a day and 1-2 problems per customer you cant verify and that is a lot of wasted time you are not getting paid for. Trust me I understand the customer service aspect too but we all go to work to make money!
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