Month: June 2020

Gander RV St. Augustine, FL

My wife and I have planned for years that after retirement we would buy an RV and try full-timing. On Feb. 21, 2020, we bought a used 2008 Tiffin from the Gander RV St Augustine, Florida location.

Before spending this large amount of money we asked many questions. We went over everything and all of our issues were addressed. To be sure we did a thorough walkthrough we videotaped it. During the walkthrough, we found some issues and were assured that they would be taken care of before we picked up our new home. Every issue we found is on the tape with a recording of the employee telling us it would be taken care of.

Gander RV Tire Rot Deception

St. Augustine Gander RV sold tires with dry rot

Gander scheduled a pick date and asked that we get there early. Ergo, we arrived at 9:00 am to find that nothing had been done to repair the issues from the walkthrough. After a long day, we left Gander at 5:30 pm with our unit. None of the repairs were done.

We headed home to Massachusettes, we had several problems arise. First, we had a blow out of one of their great tires. Road service charged $650 to replace one tire. With the tire removed it was apparent that the tires had been turned to hide the dry rot. Also, we lost an air pressure gauge.

Finally, we got home and parked the RV. It wouldn’t restate. Again we had to call Road Service; a $250 mobile visit. They couldn’t fix it. We had to have it towed to a service center, another $650.

Gander RV St. Augustine Liars

St. Augustine Gander RV send a tailpipe

Next, on February 27th, we contacted Glenn Blake at Gander in St. Augustine and explained the issues. In addition, I reminded Glenn that their manager promised to fix an issue with the tailpipe. He told me to get it addressed and gave me his e-mail address. He told me to send him the invoice from our repair shop.

After the work was done I sent the invoice. The repairs included five new tires due to the dry rot and totaled $5,000. Now they refuse to pay for the repairs. Instead, they sent me a tailpipe with a letter.

Good Afternoon Mr. Brouillette,
I have looked at Tri-State’s repair order and reviewed it with the General Sales Manager. Gander RV will cover the LOF in the amount of $405.25 and we will also cover the air gauge repair of $305.60. As a goodwill gesture, although we usually do not cover tires on pre-owned units, we will cover half of your replacement cost on your blowout at $370.00. The total reimbursement to you is $1080.85.
Also, I’m sending you the exhaust turndown as promised by the previous sales manager. This is the best we can do for you. I will have our Accounts Payable Department draw up a release and e-mail it to you. Sign and return this release so that I can request a check for you. Please be safe in your travels.
Thank you for your business.
Best regards, Glenn S. Blake, Service Director
glenn.blake@ganderoutdoors.com
Gander RV, 600 Outlet Mall Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 486-9050 ext. 1244
CISCO#: 70561244

We received the agreement. Due to our shock, after reading it we asked several different managers repeatedly if anyone had read this agreement? The responses were the same, “this is what needs to be signed before we pay you.”

St. Augustine Gander RV disclosure

As you can see, this is what you have to expect when dealing with Gander RV St. Augustine, Florida (aka Camping World). If you don’t have time to read the whole thing, just read this excerpt from what they wanted me to sign, especially the bold type.

Gander RV St. Augustine Release

3. General
It is understood and agreed by me that the acceptance of the contribution is in full accord, satisfaction, and in final settlement of any and all claims and demands presented by me against Dealer.
I covenant that no representations or promises other than those expressly herein contained have been made to me in regard to this Release and settlement, and I fully understand that, after this instrument has been executed, all of my rights, claims, and demands referred to above are hereby and shall be extinguished. I understand that this Release is a compromise of a disputed claim and is not be construed as an admission of liability on the part of Dealer. I will do all things reasonable and necessary, and without delay, to transfer legal and physical possession of the RV to Dealer, including, but not limited, to removing my personal belongings from the RV and signing a power of attorney in favor of Dealer. I understand that the RV must be in the same condition it was delivered to me on the purchase date, reasonable wear and tear excepted or I will be responsible for all costs associated with returning the RV to that condition prior to receiving the contribution described in Paragraph 1.

4. Confidentiality
I agree to maintain this Release and its terms in strictest confidence. I shall not communicate, display, publish or reveal any of the facts surrounding this Release or the contents of this Release to any individual, group of individuals, organizations, social media sites, or entities, including but not limited to, any member of the media, except as may be required by a governmental taxing authority or by subpoena from a court of competent jurisdiction. If inquiry is made as to the resolution of dispute, I will specifically report only that the matter has been settled.

Stay away from this place!

–Guest Poster

Gander RV Warnings

Camping World has taken on the name of Gander RV to cover their horrible reputation tracks. Due to our horrible experiences with two Camping World locations: Monticello, Minnesota, and Bartow, Florida. If you learn nothing else, DO NOT buy the extended warranty that they attempt to shove down the throat of every prospect at closing! Do your own research and do the math!

CampingWorldSucks.net welcomes contributors, click here. In addition, we recommend the Facebook group Camping World: The Awful Experience to share your experiences. Our goal is to warn consumers to avoid this company, by any name.

An option for complaints is Camping World corporate headquarters. Please report how that works out for you.

CampingWorldSucks.net is an informational website only. We do not allow advertising; no profit received.

KeystoneRVSucks.net

Similarly, check out KeystoneRVsucks.net. Camping World (aka Gander Mountain) is the largest retailer of Keystone RV. Just like Camping World, Keystone has built a reputation for terrible workmanship and equally awful customer service. You can read why we despise this company at keystonervsucks.net. To share experiences with Keystone RVs click to submit.

If your complaint involves a Keystone unit, e-mail customer service here. Please report your results. Positive experiences are unfortunately few and far between.

Keystone’s parent company is Thor; customer support form and phone number, (877) 855-2867.

Freedom Elite from Camping World

I would not advise buying a Freedom Elite from Camping World.

My story will highlight the customer service from Camping World and Thor Manufacturing’s unwillingness to stand behind their product.

In January of 2017, we purchased a new Freedom Elite 26HE motorcoach from Camping World in Saukville, Wisconsin. We are extremely dissatisfied with the customer service from Camping World.

We first looked at the Freedom Elite coach at a Milwaukee RV show in February of 2017. The layout of the 26HE was perfect for us and decided to purchase one. There were several deficiencies with the show model on display from the Madison, Wisconsin Camping World. However, the salespeople assured us that we could get a new, identical unit from in Saukville.

Red Flag Number One

After the show, we headed to Saukville. At Saukville Camping World we proceeded with the paperwork. We quickly realized that the RV we were buying was the same display model. In other words, they had added a Saukville Camping World sticker over the Madison sticker.

Red Flag Number Two

We pointed out all the deficiencies we noticed at the RV show. Camping World assured us that all the issues would be fixed. One of the issues was a seal on the overhead cap. We were apprehensive, but we went ahead with the purchase.

After the Purchase

Our concerns were confirmed right after we purchased the motor home.

From February to July 2017 the RV was in and out of service at Camping World Saukville with warranty issues.

First, an electrical relay almost started the RV on fire. Next, we found a screw that had been driven through the fiberglass portion of the roof during the manufacturing process. It was near the roof access ladder.

Service Incompetance

They fixed the screw issue but the repair looked much worse than the problem. Apparently, a technician at Camping World drew pencil marks around the screw, shaped like spider cracks. I assume they did that to exaggerate the damage so that the manufacturer, Thor, would foot the bill.

After that, we saw that the employee who attempted to fix the seal on the overhead cap had dripped sealant and caulking all over the front hood. I spent a couple of hours cleaning it up.

Only One Season

Thankfully we used the RV during the 2018 season without incident. However, during the 2019 season, we noticed that the right wall was delaminating inside the cap. There was a water leak. Also, we noticed water leaking from the cab roof over the passenger seat.

We took the RV to a local repair shop. Initially, they couldn’t find a leak. Next, I removed the cushions from the overhead bed and discovered that the wood was rotting. Mold had started to form there. They suggested we take the RV back to the dealer (Camping World) and we did.

More Repairs Than RV Trips

Next, we dropped the RV off on Dec 2nd, 2019 at Camping World in Saukville, Wisconsin. Since we dropped off the RV I called Camping World at least seven times and stopped in once in person requesting updates. The service department promised to call me back with updates on numerous occasions and never did. Next, I called again and left a message for the service manager to call me Friday, February 28th, 2020. After that, I called Camping World Corporate and send a letter regarding our concerns before I finally got a callback.

On March 11th I finally received a call from the service department stating they found the leak. It was under the right-side screw track on the overhead cap. They said the seal had failed and caused damage estimated at $7,700. After that I initiated a claim with the extended Camping World Warranty we purchased. The claim was denied because it did not cover leaks or leak damage.

Bogus Warranty

warranty contract

Next, I called Thor and asked that they help cover the cost of repairs. The motor home was obviously not properly sealed at the factory. In addition, the location of the leak was not visible. That damage couldn’t have been seen with the naked eye.

Thor responded that the motor home was out of warranty. The manufacture warranty only covered seals for 3 months. Ergo, the three-month warranty is not a warranty at all. Apparently Thor expects their products are inherently defective.

On April 28th, 2020 I received a call from Camping World. They found damage to the fiberglass wall next to a window. Service techs removed the fiberglass to fix the water damage. The estimate was approximately $900. I asked how the new damage happened because I did not see this damage prior to dropping off the vehicle. Of course, they could not explain how the damage had occurred.

In conclusion, today is June 4th, 2020. As of this posting and we are still waiting on our RV. Half a year! We have used our motorhome only eight times since we purchased it. Ergo, we’ve only put around 15,000 miles on it. We cover our unit during winter storage for its protection.

This is our second Thor RV from Camping World. We are far from satisfied with Camping World or Thor motor homes.

Camping World/Gander RV Warnings

This blog began because of our horrible experiences in Monticello, Minnesota and Bartow, Florida. Most importantly, DO NOT buy the extended warranty they try to shove down your throat at closing! Do the math. Research your own warranty agreement.

First, we welcome contributors at CampingWorldSucks.net, click here. Next, we recommend unhappy Camping World customers join the Facebook group, Camping World: The Awful Experience to tell your story. Posting in more places increases the chances that they will lose a prospective screw-ee.

Here is the contact information for Camping World corporate headquarters. Let us know how that works out for you.

This blog is informational only. No advertising. Not-for-profit.

CW’s Fav Manufacturer

Similarly, Keystone RV sucks; check out KeystoneRVsucks.net. Camping World (Gander Mountain) is Keystone RV’s largest retailer. Like Camping World, the Keystone RV company has a reputation for shotty workmanship and horrible customer service. Read our Keystone story at keystonervsucks.net.

In addition to contacting Camping World, you can complain via e-mail about Keystone units to their customer service by clicking here. Again, let us know how that works out for you. We’d love to hear some positive experiences. Unfortunately, they are few and far between.

Thor is Keystone’s parent company. Thor customer support form and phone number might help, (877) 855-2867.

For Keystone RV experiences click to submit.