My PDI Adventure

[MakinSmoke]

On edit---Family Rv is no longer a PI dealer. The Excel is left over from a previous relationship with Peterson Industries.


WOW, we were soooo excited. On Thursday we drove 6 hours from North GA up to Statesville, NC towing our 1999 Montana to be ready to do our PDI on Friday, trade and drive away with the 2005 NEW Excel. We had seen the trailer 2 weeks ago and about one week ago, we phoned in a 10% deposit and sealed the deal. We were supposed to trade on Friday and drive off with our new Excel Limited.


We arrived at at Family RV in Statesville at 9:30am on Friday morning and found the detailing contractors still working. After some small talk we delivered our Montana to the salesmen and told him it's deficiencies. We then we were treated to a technician who was supposed to take us through the new trailer and give us the lowdown on all it's systems. It was perfunctory at best. He had no notes nor a checklist. He just casually walked around and talked about things as his eyes would catch something in passing.

I had sent them my 38 point PDI list a week in advance and promised them that we would go through it line by line. I also asked them to have the new trailer connected to power, water and sewer and have propane in it. Of course it was not hooked up to water or sewer.
After I asked, they got it hooked up to water but told me to just drain the tanks into the storm sewer beside the trailer.

So then we started on the 38 point PDI list sent to them a week earlier. The following is a sampling of what we found........


One of the bed lift struuts was disconnected and the bed would not stay in the up position.
This trailer, even though it has never been titled was at at least one RV show and had had folks walking through it for 2 years. The carpet needed shampooing but had not been. There were red clay tracks on the carpet.
Suround sound speaker system, one of the speakers was dead.
One of the three burners on the stove would not burn.
the bedroom slide would jerk and dance on it's way in and out and the fabric was worn on the underneath side because it was out of adjustment.
the motor in the ceiling fan was vibrating against the housing and was noisy.
light over the sink would not illiminate.
The toilet was leaking fresh water.

We gave them our list of concerns and said we're going to lunch and actually expected them to have it ready when we returned. Nothing happened. When we returned, they told us they were short staffed and could not get it ready for us before Wednesday of next week.

We spent the night in our Montana and drove back to Suches on Saturday. A potentially wonderful experience was just unpleasant.

We really want this Excel and we will drive back up there next weekend and go throught our PDI again. Maybe it will be ready next time.

ACE, since you are driving a long way, be prepared to stay a few days when you come to pick up your trailer.

[MakinSmoke]

On edit---Family Rv is no longer a PI dealer. The Excel is left over from a previous relationship with Peterson Industries.


WOW, we were soooo excited. On Thursday we drove 6 hours from North GA up to Statesville, NC towing our 1999 Montana to be ready to do our PDI on Friday, trade and drive away with the 2005 NEW Excel. We had seen the trailer 2 weeks ago and about one week ago, we phoned in a 10% deposit and sealed the deal. We were supposed to trade on Friday and drive off with our new Excel Limited.


We arrived at at Family RV in Statesville at 9:30am on Friday morning and found the detailing contractors still working. After some small talk we delivered our Montana to the salesmen and told him it's deficiencies. We then we were treated to a technician who was supposed to take us through the new trailer and give us the lowdown on all it's systems. It was perfunctory at best. He had no notes nor a checklist. He just casually walked around and talked about things as his eyes would catch something in passing.

I had sent them my 38 point PDI list a week in advance and promised them that we would go through it line by line. I also asked them to have the new trailer connected to power, water and sewer and have propane in it. Of course it was not hooked up to water or sewer.
After I asked, they got it hooked up to water but told me to just drain the tanks into the storm sewer beside the trailer.

So then we started on the 38 point PDI list sent to them a week earlier. The following is a sampling of what we found........


One of the bed lift struuts was disconnected and the bed would not stay in the up position.
This trailer, even though it has never been titled was at at least one RV show and had had folks walking through it for 2 years. The carpet needed shampooing but had not been. There were red clay tracks on the carpet.
Suround sound speaker system, one of the speakers was dead.
One of the three burners on the stove would not burn.
the bedroom slide would jerk and dance on it's way in and out and the fabric was worn on the underneath side because it was out of adjustment.
the motor in the ceiling fan was vibrating against the housing and was noisy.
light over the sink would not illiminate.
The toilet was leaking fresh water.

We gave them our list of concerns and said we're going to lunch and actually expected them to have it ready when we returned. Nothing happened. When we returned, they told us they were short staffed and could not get it ready for us before Wednesday of next week.

We spent the night in our Montana and drove back to Suches on Saturday. A potentially wonderful experience was just unpleasant.

We really want this Excel and we will drive back up there next weekend and go throught our PDI again. Maybe it will be ready next time.

ACE, since you are driving a long way, be prepared to stay a few days when you come to pick up your trailer.

[ChiefJohn]

Virgil & Jo,
No excuse for this dealer's substandard performance and their careless attitude! I'm sure the PI folks will take notice and work through their channels. I recommend that you also post your experience on RV.net to ensure this dealer, Family RV in Statesville, NC receives the negative publicity they deserve. Are they still an Excel dealer or were these units remaining from a previous connection with Peterson Industries?

[D and J]

Wow! we drove over 1200 miles to pick up our excel in Chetopa KS (from NJ) and luckily our delivery went smooth. We spent the night in a nearby campground to make sure everything was OK, then headed back home.

Sorry about your experince

[MakinSmoke]

I should have stated in my post that Family Rv is no longer a PI dealer. These units are left over units from a previous relationship with Peterson Industries.

I think I'll wait until after we drive away with the new Excel before I post me experience on RV.net.

[ChiefJohn]

Thanks for the clarification Virgil -- you need to introduce the forum members to "Overkill" (the big red Volvo)--best of luck on your next visit to this "quality" RV dealer!

[vblarry]

Not being a PI dealer was my first thought. My Excel dealer is three hours away and I enjoy that ride more than when I had to drive 25 min to the dealer of my trade-in. We spent the first night in our Excel on the dealer's lot. Morning brought us being treated to breakfast at a local resturant. Couler RV out of Dubuque, Ia is an example of PI representatives. Hope you get everything settled to your satisfaction and welcome to the family

Larry B

[HB Phil]

We just returned after spending a few days at RV Sales New Mexico prepping my 30 RKE for solar power, an inverter and a 5th Airborne Sidwinder hitch.

It was a most edifying experience to witness such conscientious, hard working folks over the course of 3.5 days - well worth the 1,600 mile round trip to make my purchase there.

I feel that the purchase and the extensive dealer prep could'nt have been in better hands.

[Still Working "NOT"]

Sorry to here about the poor dealer service.

I'm with everyone else with my dealer experience. All Season's in Blue Springs, MO. Told them I be there at 1:00pm on Friday to pick it up. Showed up at 9:00am. (Had to get the new toy and play with it!) Did the walk through and left the dealers lots at 11:00am. No complaints from me.

[Limericc]

In January I went and looked at that unit also. The salesman, I had driven 6 hours to meet (had an appointment) did not even show up. I worked with another salesman but ... not a great experience. Although the unit had a great price I just didn't feel comfortable with them. STILL EXCEL SHOPPING.