Tag: camping world sucks

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.

Camping World of San Antonio in New Braunfels, TX

My name is Lowell Unruh and I am a recovering Sales Consultant for Camping World of San Antonio located in New Braunfels Texas. I was discharged Wednesday, January 22, 2020. Ergo, I have a lot to say about whether I would recommend this dealership to friends, family, and acquaintances.

Not Just a Disgruntled Employee

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! sign

To begin, I’ll give you a little insight into the attitude you should expect from the top down at Camping World of San Antonio. I had the privilege of attending a training session led by Mr. William Heinrich, the dealership’s General Manager. The entire sales staff learned from Mr. Heinrich that
“RV OWNERS ARE STUPID!”

Mr. Heinrich is the person who has been charged with increasing RV sales for Camping World in New Braunfels. Therefore, his sales staff is basically taught that anyone walking through the front door – you and your family for instance – should be considered stupid and treated as such. Further proof that you may want to reconsider doing business with Camping World.

Recommend Camping World of San Antonio to friends, family, or acquaintances? Not likely!

Deposit Sham

Late Sunday afternoon, January the 19th, Robin and Nancy drove in from Waco to look at a specific travel trailer they found on the Camping World of San Antonio website. They fell in love with the rig, but the Sales Manager wanted to leave. We were technically closed, it was 5:05 p.m. They simply did not have the time to complete any paperwork to hold the unit.

pen on contract

However, by Tuesday the 21st they had everything in order. They offered less than the published price over the phone but then decided the asking price of $7,599 was a fair number. They provided their credit card info and approval to use it to hold their unit. Here comes the part that is simply wrong.

The travel trailer was advertised online for four days at $7,599 + fees. The unit actually should have been priced between $9,500 and $10,000 but there it was online listed at $7,599. The General Sales Manager was not happy, but he agreed on Tuesday, January 21st, that Camping World would honor the advertised price. Ergo, he agreed to sell the travel trailer to Robin and Nancy for $7,599.

Not Held – For Sale

On Wednesday, January 22nd, my client’s travel trailer reappeared online at $9,995 + fees. By noon that day, Camping World of San Antonio’s new management team made a call to sell it to another buyer for the increased price of $9,995.

After that my client contacted me. On Wednesday afternoon I got a call asking why their credit card had not been debited. It fell upon me to explain how they had been, in my opinion, mistreated, and that the results of the general sales manager’s actions were the cause of what I will call a “screw-job.”

In addition, the client called the San Antonio store and had a conversation with the GSM, Jimmy Spurlock. He told her he didn’t know anything about her offer so he couldn’t help her. As I said, this is just WRONG!

Management Team at Camping World of San Antonio

Bill Heinrich, general manager
Jimmy Spurlock, general sales manager
Rico Pena, finance director

Another One-Star Review

one star in a five-star review of Camping World of San Antonio

On Friday, January 31, 2020, another one-star Google Review was posted from Michelle W. Michelle shared her experience of getting a call from a Camping World Sales Manager that she’d been screwed. The finance team had taken her deposit and had assured her three times they would indeed hold her unit. After that, she heard from that manager her RV had been promised to someone else.

She went on to say that, after speaking with the sales manager, she “…talked to the owner/general manager who was rude, bad, bad, bad.”

A Pattern Emerging

While once could be an aberration, twice within 10 days seems a lot more like a pattern. A pattern became prevalent approximately three months ago after the senior management team decided that Camping World of San Antonio should continue its trend of filling leadership and finance positions with folks from the car business. From my perspective, senior management would rather have you exposed to the typical car-buying experience vs. a professional approach. Experienced associates who actually know something about motorhomes, travel trailers, toy haulers, and or 5th wheels trailers are unnecessary.

Recommend Camping World of San Antonio to friends, family, and acquaintances? NOT!

My Next Steps

Next, I am thinking about updating and adding additional reasons for not endorsing this dealership. My plan is to edit and update a Google Review on a weekly basis. A few items that may be of interest and that may be addressed are:

  1. The “sales technique” applied to a 74-year-old widow by the Director of Finance.
  2. There is a lack of employee background checks and how it could impact your family. For instance, one former and one active salesperson was arrested for felony sexual child abuse at the New Braunfels location within the past two and a half months.
  3. Seriously consider the value of various “products” sold to you on the back end in the Finance office. A sneak preview of this discussion: How do you know you are even getting the products that you will be paying for over the next 20 years?
  4. Is it bank fraud for the Director of Finance to knowingly allow inflated NADA valuations of pre-owned units to be submitted to lenders? This practice results in buyers almost assured of being upside-down even before they pull their RV off of the lot.

In Closing

Above all, I am convinced that there are times when speaking out and educating the public is simply the right thing to do. It is possible that I may face some form of retribution or be threatened with legal action. Some may consider this just a case of sour grapes. Yes, it probably is to a certain degree. But, hopefully, sharing my first-hand experiences serve as a Public Service Announcement.

In conclusion, I encourage you to share this post with your friends, family, and even acquaintances. While there is no guarantee that they will get a screw-job at Camping World of San Antonio, you may just want to give them a heads-up. In other words, warn them on what they might expect from both the local and regional leadership teams of Camping World…just saying.

Camping Worlds Sucks Warning

Take time to read our other posts. Our slimy sales experience with Camping World of Monticello, Minnesota, and attempted service screw job at Camping World of Bartow, Florida. In the event you don’t have time, be sure to check out Camping World Purchase under “Badgering” before you buy an extended service plan from Camping World. It will save you THOUSANDS!

To contribute your experience to Camping World Sucks click here. Also, there is a Facebook group, Camping World: The Awful Experience to share your experiences.

In conclusion, I always offer contact information for Camping World corporate headquarters. Please share the results of your attempted contact.

This blog is informational only. No advertising is allowed. The Camping World locations in Bartow, Florida, and Monticello, Minnesota inspired this blog. In addition, visit KeystoneRVsucks.net.

Keystone RV & Camping World

Keystone’s largest retailer is Camping World (Gander Mountain). Similarly, the Keystone RV company is building a rep of poor workmanship and questionable service. We chronicle our experiences at keystonervsucks.net. Click to contact Keystone by e-mail. Let us know how that works out for you. However it ends, please share the results with CampingWorldSucks.net readers.

Another option is Keystone’s parent company, Thor. Thor offers a customer support form and phone support, (877) 855-2867.

Keystone RV experiences are welcomed at KeystoneRVsucks.net.

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 – Never Again

My wife and I were looking for a new camper, not at Camping World. We searched all the manufacturers and went to the camping shows. Our final choice, a brand new 2019 Keystone Cougar 367FLS.

The only one we could find in the state was at Camping World. We did see the reviews that sales were great but the service was bad. Thought you could take it to any dealer for warranty work. Come to find out that’s not true at all.

2019 Keystone Cougar 367FLS nightmare.

From jump sales were great. We went for the walk-through and they had the wrong camper. Ours was still in the same spot and nothing was done to it. We should have walked away. But sales assured us they would have it done and anything left would be fixed at our campsite.

Camping World Lies

We were given all the paperwork and the dealer knew of all the issues on the dealer acceptance form. They said it would be delivered at noon. I had help there to get it in place, leveled and set back up.

Camping World didn’t show up until 4:00 p.m. So they did come out and fix a few things. We went to use it the second time and the heat wouldn’t work. So they fixed it. Used it the third time, went to pull the slides in, and noticed the insolation on the motor wires were gone. Then we had issues with the floors.

They said at first they would fix it at the campsite, then wouldn’t. After I had to drive 120 miles round trip to have an eight minute conversation to get it set up for pickup.

I had to disassemble the campsite again and get it to the dealer. It sat for two weeks with nothing done. So, another 120-mile round trip. Two more weeks and no call. So, I called them. I was told they had to gut the whole camper to fix the issue and they were bringing in a company to do said work.

Another Delay

Another two weeks and another 120-mile drive. I demanded a new camper. Which I did get. It was like pulling teeth to get the warranty work done on that one. Finally, the walk-through was scheduled and paperwork was to be signed.

I showed up and no paperwork was ready. During the walk-through they still had stuff to do, which they did. I was promised an inside and outside protectant. I was told it would be done. It showed up and didn’t smell like it was done. I called and was told it was done on April 30th. Funny thing is that the work wasn’t started. So why would they detail and clean it put the protectant on?

Another 120 Miles

I was asked to come back a week later for the paperwork. Another 120 miles driven, sat down and was told that “I think we got it figured out. I might need you to come back.”

No way; not again. Still haven’t gotten the paperwork requested.

Never Again

Needless to say, I will never buy from Camping World or a Keystone product again. I was told that out of service time will be paid, but since I was given a new camper they considered it resolved. I had more run around crap than I could take.

Buyer beware. Stay away from Camping World!

— Guest Poster

Share your Camping World Sucks experience here.

Share your Keystone RV Sucks experience here.

Camping World Service

I thought I’d share another story of Camping World Service.

At the same time as our ordeal, my husband’s coworker went to Bartow Camping World. He’s an older man that doesn’t get around well. He took his unit in for a minor repair.

The technicians came to him in the waiting lounge with pictures of gaping holes in his roof. Camping World service said that his roof had been punctured and desperately needed to be replaced.

They warned him of impending damage and flooding in the case of rain. A $16,000 estimate was offered but refused.

He didn’t take the estimate or the pictures with him. Instead, he pulled his rig back to his RV park. Fortunately, his wife is fairly fit and able to climb an RV ladder. She scurried up to take a look and found nothing they reported; no gaping holes or tears; zero damage.

We implored them to request the estimate and pictures but they “didn’t want to deal with it.”

That, as I see it, is the problem. These huge companies are allowed to operate unethically because of their size. No one wants to deal with it. Although I understand, I’m fed up.

By sharing our experiences others may be forewarned. Consequently, Camping World and others may be forced to evaluate their business practices. We can only hope.

Share your Camping World service experience here.

Visit KeystoneRVsucks.net to share your Keystone experiences.

No Roadside Assistance

Stuck on the side of the road for six hours on Father’s Day.

On Father’s Day 2018, we needed our complimentary roadside assistance. While headed home to Colorado we had a scare. We’d spent the night in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We got an early start north. When we got on the expressway ramp smoke began to billow from the back axle.

We spent the next six hours on the side of the road. I called Good Sam Roadside Assistance. One year of Roadside Assistance is included with any Camping World RV purchase. However, Good Sam had no record of our account. They only had a history of the account that had expired a year after we bought our first unit in Idaho.

2018 Keystone Cougar wheel bearing fail.

Meanwhile, we did find help from a Santa Fe mobile mechanic. First, we found out that the wheel bearings had deteriorated and destroyed one axle. As a result, the tire was coming off. Likewise, the bearings were also deteriorating on the other axle. In other words, any of the four tires were in danger of flying off at any time. Fortunately, they had yet to do damage to the second axle.

The Badger Strikes Again

Driving home on Monday, with our unit in Santa Fe for repairs, I called Good Sam. They confirmed that we were not registered and they “couldn’t understand why.” The representative told me to call the Minnesota dealership.

The Minneapolis Camping World confirmed that our one-year roadside assistance was never registered. The Camping World staffer was perplexed. I knew exactly what happened. We didn’t bite at closing. Therefore, he didn’t sign us up.

The staff member said, “Oh, he wouldn’t do that.” Ergo, more BS. Moreover, I demanded one year of Good Sam Roadside Assistance starting that day, which I got.

In conclusion to this episode, the finance guy was supposed to register us for a year of Roadside Assistance. He didn’t. Just an oversight? I think not. In the end, I did get a full year of roadside.

The axle was warranty issue number one. That is to say, my next post, Camping World Inspection, will chronicle our ordeal when the roof fell apart. It happened just a month after the axle ordeal.

Read our Keystone Warranty story at KeystoneRVsucks.net.

Please share your own Camping World experiences here. Above all, through our stories, we can warn others and hope for a change in business practices.