Dealer system needs and overhaul badly

[The Shadow]

We are in Florida and will be returning home in late April. Enroute we will be stopping at Gaffney for the 1st year service for engine, chassis and transmission.

Our warranty ends May 28 and we have a number of items that have to be fixed such as floor tiles in the bath area bowing and popping (Winnie says a wall is moving), all four bolts holding the generator in place are gone (I didn't check them until reading about the problem in this forum), extreme rust including air tanks (FTL says dealer at fault for not power washing undercarriage when it was delivered), seat belt recall, black tank flush leaking badly, HVAC fan only works on high, microwave fan vibrates and drives DW nuts, surround sound not working with TV, front stove element won't light, galley drawer lock has fallen out, etc.

So, I called and asked the service coordinator for the first available date that I can take it in. Unreal - May 11th. In the past it has been a minimum 6 week wait (and then they had it for 3 weeks), which was bad enough, now it is 7.5 weeks. Good thing I didn't wait until our return to make an appointment - the warranty would expire before they would have an available date.

Frankly, I have trouble understanding how this can be. The dealer's web site, states the following:
---------------------------
Serving Your Mechanical Needs...
full mechanic shop with 6 drive-through bays and 9 single bays
20 technicians/mechanics on staff
3 Class A Mechanics
specializing in insurance work
electrical repairs
appliance servicing
60,000 lb capacity lift hoist
----------------------------
This is easily the largest facility in Ontario.
I recently talked to a couple who bought their first MH at this dealer but went elsewhere for their second. She said getting an appointment and work done was very frustrating. Well, they bought their first unit in 2000, so things have not improved since then.

Hard to imagine how they stay in business yet alone rank number one for volume in the Province of Ontario. I guess this problem stems from the increasingly heavy sales volumes over the past few years (dealer is also the largest HR dealer in the province as well). I think Winnie should be setting much tougher standards for its dealers to meet in order to retain their franchises. Perhaps a collapse in new unit sales will help fix this problem. Not the way it should happen though.

If an auto manufacturer operated a dealer network like this it would be out of business in no time.

[The Shadow]

We are in Florida and will be returning home in late April. Enroute we will be stopping at Gaffney for the 1st year service for engine, chassis and transmission.

Our warranty ends May 28 and we have a number of items that have to be fixed such as floor tiles in the bath area bowing and popping (Winnie says a wall is moving), all four bolts holding the generator in place are gone (I didn't check them until reading about the problem in this forum), extreme rust including air tanks (FTL says dealer at fault for not power washing undercarriage when it was delivered), seat belt recall, black tank flush leaking badly, HVAC fan only works on high, microwave fan vibrates and drives DW nuts, surround sound not working with TV, front stove element won't light, galley drawer lock has fallen out, etc.

So, I called and asked the service coordinator for the first available date that I can take it in. Unreal - May 11th. In the past it has been a minimum 6 week wait (and then they had it for 3 weeks), which was bad enough, now it is 7.5 weeks. Good thing I didn't wait until our return to make an appointment - the warranty would expire before they would have an available date.

Frankly, I have trouble understanding how this can be. The dealer's web site, states the following:
---------------------------
Serving Your Mechanical Needs...
full mechanic shop with 6 drive-through bays and 9 single bays
20 technicians/mechanics on staff
3 Class A Mechanics
specializing in insurance work
electrical repairs
appliance servicing
60,000 lb capacity lift hoist
----------------------------
This is easily the largest facility in Ontario.
I recently talked to a couple who bought their first MH at this dealer but went elsewhere for their second. She said getting an appointment and work done was very frustrating. Well, they bought their first unit in 2000, so things have not improved since then.

Hard to imagine how they stay in business yet alone rank number one for volume in the Province of Ontario. I guess this problem stems from the increasingly heavy sales volumes over the past few years (dealer is also the largest HR dealer in the province as well). I think Winnie should be setting much tougher standards for its dealers to meet in order to retain their franchises. Perhaps a collapse in new unit sales will help fix this problem. Not the way it should happen though.

If an auto manufacturer operated a dealer network like this it would be out of business in no time.

[Greyhound]

Don,
I purchased a 05 in Fl., last Oct., had a few items repaired (I thought), and departed. The wife and I are full timers, so finding a dealership to work on the coach, as you know can be frustrating. I wrote a letter to Winnebago and the dealership outlining the problems. Within a week, Winnebago contacted me and gave me an appointment. Since then, I found some additional items, contacted Winnebago and had them added to my list. As for the dealer. Twice I contacted them only to be ignored.
I would recommend if your travels permit, contact Winnebago and make a trip to Forest City. I make it a point to go there over dealers. Took my previous coach to Forest City and I was never disatisfied with the service. I have not been able to say that about any of the dealers I have been to.
Bob Beitler
President, WCMC

[The Shadow]

Thanks Bob. I wish I could get to the factory in Iowa before the warranty expires but that is not possible at this time.

We are going to a small rally in Michigan in Sept and if our problems continue I'll have to consider the 1000 mile trip.

[BucknJeff]

Hi Don,

Sorry to hear of your woes. If you are actually interested in making the trip to Forest City, give them a call. You may be able to work something out, and visit Forest City after your warranty date, and still be covered.

Its really worth while to go to the Factory, and the service staff really tries to help. Give them a call.

Hope this helps

[ppeter313]

As long as the problems have been logged in prior to the expiration date you shouldn't have a problem with an appointment date after the warranty is up. I've gone as long as two or three months after the warranty expiration to get the rig in, as long as I notified the dealer of the problems before the warranty was up. Be sure you have written confirmation.

Paul