Gander RV, Bartow, Florida

I thought this would be a peaceful negotiation between myself and Gander RV of Bartow, Florida. I arrived with my unit having agreed with their head office the day before. First, we agreed to bring it in for them to inspect. Repairs previously addressed had failed and caused water damage in my new unit. In addition, other issues had arisen.

General Manager MIA

When I arrived I asked for the Bartow, Florida General Manager (GM) and the service manager. The service manager came out to tell me that the GM wasn’t there. I didn’t think this was a problem. I had the service manager.

During the walk-through of my unit, they begin trying to claim they didn’t make the failed repairs. I had work orders dated and signed, along with written confirmation on letterhead asking me to take my unit to a third party for them to confirm the repairs were not up to par. That fact was confirmed.

Asked to Leave Gander RV of Bartow

As a result of showing the service manager the repair list and their work orders, along with all the other evidence they told me to pack my unit and leave. I refused.

Due to the intimidation, from the Gander RV staff, I called the sheriff. They came out just to keep the peace and make sure nothing got out of hand. Next, the GM comes out of an office wanting to talk. So we began talking. He says that he’s going to have to ask me to leave. Following that he claims I made a racist comment about a black guy and a banana. This was totally false. The sheriff asked if it was true. I said no! I had a friend with me and he denied any such comment being made. Consequently, the sheriff made a report.

I contacted the head office to see how they would like to proceed with these false claims. They hung up the phone. I called them back. They transferred me to a manager in their head office. He said that it’s no longer their problem; it’s between me and Gander RV (Camping World) of Bartow. At which point the phone cut off.

I immediately called back to ask for this matter to be taken higher. They instantly hung up. Finally, after I called back a fourth time, they just transferred the call to the Bartow location.

I can’t believe the lengths these cowboys will go to screw me and my family out of money and everyone else. In conclusion, my advice: steer clear of Gander RV or Camping World or whatever they call themselves. Camping World Sucks!

— Guest Contributor

Gander RV (Camping World) Sucks

Camping World has changed its name to Gander RV in Bartow, Florida. New name; same terrible service. To contribute to CampingWorldSucks.net click here. A Facebook group exists for people to share experiences. It’s called Camping World: The Awful Experience. Camping World corporate headquarters webpage is here. Please let us know if you get results.

CampingWorldSucks.net is an information website for Camping World and Gander RV experiences. No advertising is allowed. Camping World inpired this blog; both Bartow, Florida and Monticello, Minnesota.

Keystone RV Manufacturer Sucks

Keystone RV is a Camping World staple. Keystone’s manufacturing and service equals Camping World’s (Gander RV). Read about our sad experience at keystonervsucks.net. Keystone’s customer service e-mail is ownerrelations@keystonerv.com. Thor, parent company to Keystone RV, is also an avenue for complaints. Fill out their form at Thor custom support or try calling (877) 855-2867.

Contribute experiences with Keystone RVs at KeystoneRVsucks.net.

Camping World Manassas, Virginia

DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT go to Camping World of Manassas, Virginia!!!!

We have had the WORST experience with Camping World in Manassas. Camping World sucked, from the purchase of our travel trailer to getting ANY of our walk-through items fixed. First of all, the general manager, Michael Shefcyk, and the service manager, Deamon, are complete liars and manipulators.

Due to their incompetence, we demanded that they give us a new travel trailer. This took months of me contacting the corporate office. Our replacement travel trailer has several items that are very simple fixes, yet they’ve had our trailer since August; now it is MARCH. It is still not fixed!

Camping World Scammers

I truly believe Camping World is full of complete scammers! The service department manager, Deamon, is now going back on their written promise to fix the items on our walk-through list. They’ve only fixed a few items out of five pages of issues.

Furthermore, these are walk-through items from delivery. GM, Michael Shefcyk signed off on each repair on the list. Ergo, they are in breach of contract by refusing to fix the list of agreed-upon repairs.

I truly believe that this company, from top to bottom, teaches everyone to get away with taking people’s hard-earned money. Most importantly they do not deliver on the promise from their CEO Mark Lemonis, “If you’re not happy, I’m not happy.”

It’s ALL a scam!

$60,000 CW Mistake

We’re talking about a $60,000 travel trailer. Not something to laugh at. We took years to decide if we really wanted to put out the money on this. It was for our family. Consequently, we went ahead. We should have gone somewhere else, not Camping World. They have the worst customer service. So much of our money has gone out for something that has been sitting at their lot since August of 2019. Now it’s March 2020!

Finally, Camping World Sucks from top to bottom; including Camping World of Manassas, Virginia!

— Guest Contributor

Camping World (Gander RV) Sucks

To contact Camping World corporate headquarters click here. We’d love to publish your results. In addition, a Facebook group exists, Camping World: The Awful Experience to share your experiences.

Contribute stories to Camping World Sucks experiences.

CampingWorldSucks.net is strictly informational. No advertising. Camping World in both Bartow, Florida and Monticello, Minnesota were instrumental in inpiring this blog. Also visit KeystoneRVsucks.net.

Keystone RV Equally Sucks

Camping World is the largest retailer of Keystone RVs. Keystone manufacturing has a rep of poor workmanship and terrible service. Check out our experiences at keystonervsucks.net. You can contact Keystone via e-mail at ownerrelations@keystonerv.com. Keystone’s parent company is Thor. A Thor custom support form is available, or call (877) 855-2867.

Post your stories regarding Keystone RVs at KeystoneRVsucks.net.

Camping World Reviews

This post combines several Camping World reviews that contributors have submitted. Camping World Sucks has one goal, to warn the public. Keystone RV Sucks also welcomes guest contributors to share their experiences.

Camping World of Tallahassee

Flagstaff fifth wheel RV

I purchased a brand new Flagstaff fifth wheel at Camping World of Tallahassee, Florida. It came with a defective hook up light on the front. No one told me not to use the light until it could be replaced. They didn’t have one in stock and chose not to order one before I took delivery.

First, I turned it on and used it for a night light assuming it would work; until it just quit. Then, it caught fire! The fire burned a hole in the front cap before it could be put out. Thank God someone was walking past when it started burning. They banged on my door and we put the fire out.

I called the manager at Camping World in Tallassee. He wanted me to tell Forest River I was afraid to stay in the unit. He offered to send me a different, new fifth wheel.

I told him he could go to hell and phoned Forest River in Indiana and told them what he was up to. After that, I contacted Camping World Headquarters in Bowling Green, Kentucky. In addition, I registered a complaint against the manager in Florida. Of course, Camping World corporate did absolutely nothing.

Now you’re beginning to understand why Camping World is trying to become Gander RV. They can eat s–t as far as I am concerned.

Rebranding: Hiding & Lying

In my opinion, Camping World (now trying to re-brand themselves as Gander RV) is nothing more than the traditional and unethical “used car” sales scam!

They deliberately buy substandard, low-quality RVs. Camping World lies about the safety and durability of the units and then push-off warranty repairs until the manufacturer’s warranty expires. This practice places the burden of repair costs on the buyer!

Camping World Unethical? Yep!

An unsustainable business model? We can only hope. Remember, they are only interested in short-term profits. When consumers finally understand Marcus Lemonis’ con, he will simply move on to another scam. He takes his profits, leaving customers and investors in the dust!

Camping World Columbia, SC

My purchase was a nightmare from the start and continues. The Camping World Staff at Columbia, South Carolina signed my name to two difficult documents. They failed to register our RV with the North Carolina DMV, as promised. More than 45 days after the purchase they sent the paperwork to us. This resulted in us driving the RV unregistered the whole time.

They provided false or misleading information concerning the cancellation of our extended warranty and paint coverage. In addition, they promised to fill the RV with fuel prior to purchase. We took possession with only $50 worth of fuel.

Only one key was provided with a brand new 2020 Thor Freedom Elite. Camping World claimed that the manufacturer only provided one key for the vehicle.

We contacted corporate. To date, we still have not heard back from corporate. None of our concerns, which are many, have been resolved.

CW Manassas, VA

My wife and I purchased a used Tiffin Allegro from the Manassas store a couple of months ago. We live in Maryland so I had to have it state inspected.

The inspection station failed the Motorhome for front brakes. Both Rotors were cracked completely through. All four were severely overheating to the point that they were disintegrating.

Camping World allowed me to drive that vehicle over 150 miles home with my family aboard. Not to mention the thousands of other motorists on the road with us.

Camping World 2008 Allegro No Brakes

This vehicle has been the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. I can assure you that I or anyone I have the chance to talk to will never buy another RV from their stores!

–Guest Posters

The Worst RV Dealer

The goal here is to warn future customers and help current consumers trapped in a Camping World nightmare.

First, Camping World is now hiding under the name Gander RV. They are also purchasing private dealerships and not changing their names to hide behind aliases. To contact Camping World corporate, click here. Please share your results.

Visit the Camping World: The Awful Experience Facebook page for more reviews. These reviews are the result of Camping World’s common business practices; Camping World’s normal. Please contribute your experience by clicking here. CampingWorldSucks.net and KeystoneRVSucks.net are strictly informational. No advertising will be accepted. We can only hope Camping World, also known by aliases including Gander RV, will get a clue and step up to the plate.Check out KeystoneRVsucks.net to read and share experiences with Keystone brands. Keystone customer service’s e-mail address is ownerrelations@keystonerv.com. Keystone’s parent company is Thor. Some have reported more success by contacting Thor. For Thor customer support click here or try calling (877) 855-2867.

Camping World CEO Sucks

A few days after the nightmare with the finance department, I wrote a letter to Camping World corporate. I detailed our experience.

I recently came across this article from Chicago Business highlighting Camping World’s stock plunge. It’s worth reading. One issue covered is, the fact that Camping World sucks and their CEO, Marcus Lemonis, seems to share that description.

Lemonis set up Camping World’s IPO (initial public offering of stocks) so that he could never be removed from power. He has more voting power than any other shareholder. Shareholders are virtually unable to replace the governing body of the company because of the way Lemonis set it up. Furthermore, the board members are voted in on a rotating basis so that replacing the cronies would take years.

Read full article here.

I checked the stock numbers and the initial offering was just over $22. The stock eventually went to $46. Today the stock price has fallen to less than $8. Stockholders seem to be SOL as the stock continues to drop and the company’s reputation drops farther than the stock. At least Lemonis has his money, and ours.

Read the article and you’ll understand even more why Camping World sucks. It’s because the Camping World CEO sucks. The trickle-down effect. After reading the article come back to this site to share your Camping World nightmare stories. Links for help with complaints appear below.

To contact Camping World corporate with complaints click here for information.

Please enjoy sharing the aggravation by reading some of our other Camping World Sucks posts. Share your Camping World sucks story here to warn others. CampingWorldSucks.net is not a monetized website, purely informational.

Moving up the ladder, Keystone, maker of so many Camping World campers, equally sucks, from what we’ve experienced. Contact them via www.ownerrelations@keystonerv.com. Thor is the parent company of Keystone. Attempt Thor custom support online or call (877) 855-2867.

Submit your Keystone RV nightmare to inform the public at KeystoneRVsucks.net. KeystoneRVsucks.net is not a monetized website, purely informational.

Camping World Corporate

A few days after the nightmare with the finance department, I wrote a letter to Camping World corporate. I detailed our experience.

The previous post, Camping World Purchase, is the first in this series. Read that post first to help you understand why we contacted Camping World Corporate.

Contacting Camping World Corporate

Hand writing business letter    A few days after the nightmare with the finance department, I wrote a letter to Camping World corporate. I detailed our experience in Minnesota (and another with Idaho) and e-mailed it to a few managers. A link to the letter is below.

The Response

After I sent the letter to corporate I did get a quick response. A regional manager contacted me to apologize. He said that this was not the way they do business. I was to expect a call from the Monticello manager for an apology. Another scene in the nightmare.

The next day I got a call from a Monticello, Minnesota Camping World Manager. First, he said that he just “couldn’t believe” that his finance guy would do such a thing. After that, he said that he’d been watching him work for years. He promised that he had “never” observed anything like I was describing. In other words, we were liars.

I’m not shy or introverted and this was more than I could take. Consequently, I responded that his response was BS. He had repeatedly seen him do exactly what he had done to us, often successfully. It was his MO and badgering worked for him. He was good at it and shoving that warranty down people’s throats was his normal.

In the end, I pretty much hung up on the manager and called the regional guy back. I left a voice mail and told him not to have that jerk call me ever again. This was our last Camping World purchase. We were glad to be finished with the company. So we thought.

Our Idaho Refunds

My letter also covered an experience I had with another department at Camping World. When we bought our first fifth wheel a year earlier, we purchased GAP insurance and an extended service agreement. We found out that we could get refunds on the remaining balances of both agreements. I attempted to contact Tiffany in Meridian, Idaho where we bought our first RV. Our sales force told us she would get us our refunds.

I started e-mailing after several calls were ignored. Finally, I got a response. She sent forms to fill out and asked for our receipts. After sending everything requested I asked if she needed anything else. Tiffany assured me that she had all she’d need.

After a few days, with more of my calls ignored, I e-mailed requesting the timeframe of the refunds. She replied that we had $700 coming from the GAP. I asked about the maintenance agreement and was told that she didn’t request a refund on that because she didn’t have all the paperwork necessary.

I asked her if she had everything she needed a week before. Instead of telling me what else was required, she just planned to keep our money. Needless to say, I searched for additional paperwork and got our maintenance refund. It shouldn’t be this difficult!

The next post is the story of our warranty experience. Check it out at Camping World Warranty.

To contact Camping World corporate click here for information.

Read our Keystone RV warranty experience, posted in detail at KeystoneRVsucks.net.