Community Forums

WyoFree · 08-03-2016, 09:35 AM

I know there's a thread somewhere about buying a motorhome from MHS but I'll be darned if I can find it?

I've not found a dealer with prices even close to MHS for a new coach. If you'll travel the country looking for the right motorhome and price for a used coach, would it not also make cents "¢" to buy a new coach where the best price is found?

So the question is, is there any reason you know of NOT to buy a new coach from them?

Barmats · 08-03-2016, 10:41 AM

The prices from MHSRV are generally about the lowest you'll see, but I've heard their service is not very good. I cannot verify this from firsthand experience, but this is what I've heard. Which is pretty common for a lot of brick and mortar dealers across the country. However, manufacturers will often approve warranty repairs at a non-branded dealership.

Statgeek · 08-03-2016, 10:59 AM

We purchased our first motorhome from MHSRV, and would have bought our second one from them if they sold the one we wanted. Our buying experience there was quite excellent, and their prices really are highly competitive.

The only reason that I can think of NOT to buy from them is that you may live far away from them, in which case, servicing your RV (especially while still in warranty) is going to be an issue. This has NOTHING to do with MHSRV. This is how the blasted industry has evolved over the years. In my experience (and that of many RV friends), dealers who sell RV's will preferentially, or ONLY service the ones that they sold. If you bought elsewhere, you are either last on their list, or not even on their list. This is especially true for warranty work, because I have read and been told that dealers do not get full reimbursement from some RV manufacturers for warranty service, so they are reluctant or refuse to do it for any RV they didn't sell. I have experienced this personally, so it's not just hear-say.

This is one reason (plus quality of service) that many RVers go through the serious hassle and expense of driving their RV's back to the manufacturer's repair shop for service once their warranty has expired, and even during warranty.

It is a shame that we all do this because it is a disincentive for the manufacturers to suck-it-up and force their selling dealership franchises to service ALL RV's of their brand, regardless of where it was purchased. But there you have it.

marknpeg · 08-03-2016, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Statgeek

This is how the blasted industry has evolved over the years. In my experience (and that of many RV friends), dealers who sell RV's will preferentially, or ONLY service the ones that they sold. If you bought elsewhere, you are either last on their list, or not even on their list.

First I've heard of this, and it concerns me since we are shopping right now. What if we buy an older coach from a manufacturer that isn't around any more (at least not in its original form)? I would think if we need service, any good service shop would be willing to do the work, no?

WyoFree · 08-03-2016, 11:17 AM

So would I Mark, You mean to tell me these dealers have so much business they can just send you away or ignore your coach in the shop? And where are the manufacturers in this? There would be no dealers without them!

wnytaxman · 08-03-2016, 11:31 AM

When we bought our rig we got prices from MHS and they were substantially higher than RVOne at their Buffalo RV dealership.

Mike and Cha · 08-03-2016, 11:39 AM

If one of the "Big Dealers" are so busy they cannot service your MH even though they sell the brand you bought, but not from them, there are many private RV repair shops who don't sell any RV's as well mobile mechanics who do great work and for the most part better than those "big dealers" do. I would buy wherever you get the best price and worry about who will provide service later. Now of course if you can find a dealer that provides great after sale service that would be worth paying additional money on the original purchase, but how much is a matter of what is most important to you.

When we bought ours we simply left dealerships that said if we ever wanted service we needed to buy from them. I won't buy from anybody who states that prior to the sale as to me that is a scare tactic. That is crazy, and like anything in any kind of service industry, there are highs and lows in volume of business. The tide will turn and many dealers told me that their Service Departments keep them in business when sales are weak. So eventually they will reap what they sow. Nothing stays at its peak forever and hopefully the small repair shops and mobile mechanics will reap the rewards in the long run. Probably 75% of things that go wrong are simple fixes that you can do yourself, with a little self education, and the help of IRV2 people and U-Tube Videos.

nma33 · 08-03-2016, 11:54 AM

I priced many dealers, the best price I received was from RV One, The sale was made through their Albany RV and I picked it up in Buffalo, I wasn't happy about that but they took more off the price to make the sale. I ended up with 42% off the MSRP. The sales part was fine, but I did end up taking my Coach to Jayco for a few warranty issues and a modification. In the end I am very satisfied with my coach.

Wish you all the best in your search for the right coach for your family.
Nick

marknpeg · 08-03-2016, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike and Cha

When we bought ours we simply left dealerships that said if we ever wanted service we needed to buy from them. I won't buy from anybody who states that prior to the sale as to me that is a scare tactic.

I agree completely, and I'd walk out of a dealer that said anything like that. I have not run across that tactic yet, but now I have a new question to ask! Good to know there are reputable service shops out there, beyond the dealers. Us newbs need all the info we can get.

Mike and Cha · 08-03-2016, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marknpeg

I agree completely, and I'd walk out of a dealer that said anything like that. I have not run across that tactic yet, but now I have a new question to ask! Good to know there are reputable service shops out there, beyond the dealers. Us newbs need all the info we can get.

Before you buy you can call the manufacturer Customer Service Department and ask them for repair facilities in your area. Many of them will have lists of small RV repair shops and mobile mechanics that they authorize to do warranty work, in your area. Once you get hooked up with a repair facility you like or a mobile mechanic, they will continue to do work on your MH after the warranty is up(you have to pay), and that should ease any anxiety over repairs/service. The Manufactures don't like the Dealers attitudes either as it affects their reputation as well. Some brands are better than others at holding the dealerships accountable, and some are now making the Service issue a part of the negotiation process for obtaining a franchise for that brand. But then again any high pressure salesperson can make the dealership look bad and state things that aren't true.

Statgeek · 08-03-2016, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marknpeg

First I've heard of this, and it concerns me since we are shopping right now. What if we buy an older coach from a manufacturer that isn't around any more (at least not in its original form)? I would think if we need service, any good service shop would be willing to do the work, no?

As others have recommended, you are well-advised to secure a local RV mechanic who doesn't sell (preferably a mobile mechanic that can come to you). The trouble is that they are difficult to find, and even harder to find one that is authorized for warranty work by the manufacturer. If you are buying an older RV, warranty work is probably not an issue.

I have been turned away for warranty service within the first year of ownership of a new RV--and even after I agreed to pay outright--because I didn't buy it from them. At first the story that I got was that they were too busy working on rigs from people who bought from them to take on customers who bough their RV from someone else. Eventually I got the strait scoop--that they just don't service people who didn't purchase from them. (Holiday World RV, League City, TX). If you search this forum, you will find other accounts too. It is not brand specific, and it is not location specific. RV dealers want to sell, sell, sell. And I guess after that they want you to do your own repairs/maintenance, or drive your rig back to the manufacturer.

Not all dealers are bad this way, but don't go into this thinking that it's like getting your Ford, Chevy, Honda, Toyota, or any other automobile serviced. RV repairs are much more difficult to get done, and to get done right.

I do my own generator maintenance, and a lot of the "house" stuff too. I pay to have my big diesel engine serviced though, and I'm thankful that I now live only a couple of hours away from where my RV was built. When I lived in TX, I would drive 5 hours to get to an "acceptable" shop for things that I couldn't handle.

Gdawgs · 08-03-2016, 01:26 PM

We purchased from MHSRV back in 2013 and were please with the customer service, price etc. We purchased at about 40% off MSRP. MHSRV's strenght is their volume. They do a miserable job of vehicle prep but their real value come into play when you have to deal with a manufacturer they represent. They move 50-60 motorhomes a week and the motorhome companies listed to them. When I had issues they got Monaco involved quickly where a smaller low volume dealer would not have the clout to speed up the process and get things done. I've learned that small issues can be handled fairly easy by your local dealer but when major problems exist your better off going back to the factory and those factories listen to high volume dealers.

nothermark · 08-03-2016, 01:51 PM

FWIW - put yourself in the dealers place. You have 2 weeks worth of work backed up in your shop from folks who bought their RV from you. Somebody you never saw before comes in and wants service. What do you tell him?

I'll tell you what I would tell you. If you are nice I will tell you sorry. If you are annoying I will tell you that if you leave it I'll take a look when I have time.

Time will occur when I no longer have one of my customers needing space in the shop. My shop will not miss your job as I will be busy enough just taking care of my customers.

twogypsies · 08-03-2016, 01:55 PM

From reading comments on the forums it must depend on the manufacturer regarding servicing if not bought there.

We bought from dealers that we never returned to - Travel Supreme and Newmar RVs.

All dealers in their network willingly worked on all their products even if not buying from them or they would be excluded from being a dealer. To these companies, the dealers are their main contact with a customer and they treat customers, accordingly.

Manufacturers should stand on their dealers to do the right thing.