Lichtsinn Motors Responds & Does What's Right

[Petro]

As many of my friends know I purchased a used 05 Itasca Horizon from Lichtsinn Motors in July this year just before GNR. Over the past years I have purchased my Winnebago parts from them and always have had great courteous service from Lonnie & David. The Service Dept. had a list of things to perform before we could move in to the coach. We were scheduled to leave for home (6 hour drive) on Saturday morning. The coach was brought over to the Sales Lot on Friday afternoon about 4 PM. We proceeded to move our belongings from our trade in to the Horizon. I light rain was falling. By the time we got moved over we were exhausted and we had a light lunch and went to bed. We had little time to go over the coach. In all fairness to Lichtsinn their Service Dept was overloaded from early arrivals to GNR demanding service on their rigs. They were juggling their time between the early arrivals and our Horizon.

Before we left for home on Sat morning we had noticed a couple of items that needed attention but the shop is not open on Saturdays so we just drove off. On the way home we found some issues one of which was the dash A/C not working. When we got home and parked it in the garage we found we had a hydraulic leak on the floor in the rear of the coach. It was then I checked the hydraulic reserve tank and found it to be 2 qts low. I checked the radiator reserve tank and found it was loaded with crud. I also found a service invoice and found it was last serviced in Nov 09.

I advised the Sales Dept of my findings and asked them to talk to Ron and see it he would approve taking care of my issues. I was called back and told to bring the Horizon back and they would take care of my issues. I wanted to hold off a while to let the GNR folks to clear out so they could devote full attention to my problems and I had reservations to attend the FMCA Rally at Madison.

In mid August I took my coach back to Lichtsinn's and left it with them advising I would pick it up a week later. When I came back to pick it up I was advised that all my issues had been resolved except for the cooling system which did need work but I would be expected to cover the cost. I chose to bring the coach back home and have the cooling system serviced there. When I got home I found I still had a hydraulic leak as well. I took my Horizon in to a local diesel shop and was told I would have to order a new hydraulic pump and the cooling system need a good cleaning. They took 2 cups of crud out of the expansion tank alone. My bill at the local shop was $2900 which did not include the hydraulic pump which I ordered direct from Freightliner. In Sept I left for the iRV2 Rally at Urbana and it was on this trip I found I had a bad rattle in the right slide behind the passenger head and a miserable rattle in the overhead TV. I made an appointment at the factory in Forest City in October to work on the slide and the TV. While it was there I also decided to have a few other issues taken care of also. I left it there for a week and when I picked it up I had another $2400 bill. By this time I became very disappointed about my purchase from Lichtsinn Motors.

I called Ron Lichtsinn and we had a lengthy discussion on my concerns. In all fairness to Lichtsinn many of the problems I found they had no way to know existed. I blame the previous owner for not properly caring for the coach. He took good care of the interior but IMHO neglected the mechanical servicing of the coach. I was insistent that the Horizon never should have left Lichtsinn's lot with a faulty cooling system and a bad hydraulic leak. Ron and I came to a amicable agreement. He agreed to cover what I felt was his responsibility and I agreed to cover the rest. I am now a happy Camper and certainly would consider purchasing another coach from Lichtsinn Motors. Ron has restored my faith in his dealership and I can recommend them to anybody asking about my experience.

Don

[RickO]

Glad you got it worked out Don.

It shows how, even when buying from a dealer with a great reputation, there is usually a lot of stuff to work through.

Hope it's smooth sailing from here on out.

Rick

[fun time]

I am sorry for your problems but also I am very happy to hear they made good and your are happy. Most important, you posted a very detailed list of problems and the happy ending that went with them. I get very disturbed on these threads reading about problems and hearing all the complaints about service, defects and products not performing yet these people never follow up with the good things like you did. Your post re-inforces what I have always felt and that is:
Deal with problems in professional and friendly manner and chances are all will be happy with the outcome. Sounds like this dealer is top notch and good place to buy from. Good luck and thanks for posting this.

[NLOVNIT]

I'm glad the dealership finally came through for you, Don. It is a shame they let the coach go to you with obvious issues but the good thing is they worked with you & you're now happy. Thanks for the update.

Lori-

[troth]

Although I've only bought pieces/parts at Lichtsinn for my coach, I can always say I got a fair deal, got the right part, and got a prompt response from them when I've dealt with them.

[RJay]

It's always good to hear there are still good businesses that value their customers.