Community Forums

RanCarr · 06-09-2015, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky68D

.....We have been appalled at the lack of prep done to offer a unit for sale. I mean, just plain dirty, moldy, greasy fingerprints, gouged and scratched up woodwork, broken mirrors, cat and dog hair, cat marking stains and with the prices that don't reflect the condition.

That is not unusual my husband and I found. I can only imagine what condition their homes are in.

We looked at some coaches recently and it was the same. Dirty. Smelly. Broken shades and one fridge had no shelves or veggie bins.

We couldn't imagine what happened to them. They would have had to be replaced somehow. You would think the dealers or owners selling them would either hire someone to clean them or do it themselves - and make repairs. The one we finally bought was reasonably clean with no bad odors at all.

Nothing looked abused and nothing was broken.

Quote:

The salesmen say it can and will all be taken care of at time of sale. Really? What I wonder is if the previous owners didn't take pride in the interior, what else was neglected that you can't see so well?

We thought the SAME thing!

Quote:

Just venting our frustration here. We don't understand why anyone would buy such a nice coach, not take care of it or clean it up for presentation. Our '05 Suncruiser that we bought new is immaculate and well loved inside and out. I guess we expect other folks to be like us and we shouldn't.

Same here. We have unrealistic expectations I guess. Be patient and keep looking. You'll find what you want.

frankdamp · 06-09-2015, 09:03 AM

Rocky:

One of the dealers with the best rep for having good clean rigs in the area is Country Motors, Just south of MV on the east side of I-5. Folks who lived across the street have bought from them three times.

JohnBoyToo · 06-09-2015, 09:15 AM

If you think about it, they are actually doing you a favor NOT cleaning it up... because that shows you how much REAL maintenance was done to the things you can't readily see and you can walk away very quickly...

And to the detractors of PPL, we just went to their Houston store a couple of month's ago and their new Cleburne store about a month ago...
all 6 of us thought they had some presentable rv's.... not many, but all clean... so dunno

BennieH · 06-09-2015, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo

If you think about it, they are actually doing you a favor NOT cleaning it up... because that shows you how much REAL maintenance was done to the things you can't readily see and youc an walk away very quickly...

There is some truth to that. We went to a nearby large RV dealer when we happened to be in their area to pick up a few items and they were having a RV sale. We love to look for the sake of looking.
All I have to say is WOW! They had about 6 well worn abused "C's" out and opened. They were just plain awful! Dirty, beat up and just plain sad looking.
I cannot believe they had them on display looking like that!
I also cannot believe that anyone would let a relatively expensive investment not be properly taken care of.

OlYeller · 06-09-2015, 05:18 PM

We had a similar experience when we were looking for our class C. It took me 2 years of looking before I found one I wanted to take home. Fortunately it is a keeper. Keep looking. Unfortunately you have to kiss a lot of toads before you find your prince.

gacamp · 06-10-2015, 05:41 AM

I think anyone who has done much looking at any type of used RV's has run into this situation. I also agree that seeing RV in that kind of shape is probably a benefit as it does indicate the general level of care the unit was given by the previous owner. A friend who retired from the business told me that a lot of times the worst units you will see on a dealers lot are units that were bought at auction and they are usually being auctioned off because of the poor condition and the dealer will not spend any money as in cleanup until they have a sale.

Just a few of the horror stories I encountered over the years was one MH that had an ant infestation so bad we couldn't even stay in the coach to inspect, a microwave literally hanging from the obviously rotten cabinet (salesman never said a word), smoking smell so bad even the salesman would not enter the RV.

When I bought my DP the couple trading it in were actually still occupying the unit in the LazyDays lot and actually invited us in to see the coach. What a great way to see exactly how the coach was taken care of!

deandec · 06-10-2015, 11:34 AM

This company seems to have some well maintained rigs.

http://www.californiacoachcompany.com/

Rocky68D · 06-10-2015, 10:16 PM

Some very nice high end coaches. Thanks for the link.

Just For Fun · 06-10-2015, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky68D

The DW and I have been shopping 5-8 year old DPs in our area. We've tried to stick to the better quality coaches like Newmar, Monaco/Beaver, Country Coach, etc.. Looked at 8 of them so far. Only 1 showed any real pride of ownership.

We have been appalled at the lack of prep done to offer a unit for sale. I mean, just plain dirty, moldy, greasy fingerprints, gouged and scratched up woodwork, broken mirrors, cat and dog hair, cat marking stains and with the prices that don't reflect the condition.

The salesmen say it can and will all be taken care of at time of sale. Really? What I wonder is if the previous owners didn't take pride in the interior, what else was neglected that you can't see so well?

Just venting our frustration here. We don't understand why anyone would buy such a nice coach, not take care of it or clean it up for presentation. Our '05 Suncruiser that we bought new is immaculate and well loved inside and out. I guess we expect other folks to be like us and we shouldn't.

Yep. We've seen this in $500,000 MH and $1,000,000 stick build homes!!!

Micah.TX · 06-11-2015, 04:07 PM

Not all PPL rvs are "trashed." My TT is on the lot in Houston, right now. 2015 in mint condition. No smoke, pets, or kids ever touched it. DW and I took a few trips and realized we want a MH - which is why I read this forum! The people at PPL have been very good, so far. When the time comes to find the right entry level MH, I will look at theirs, but with a fine tooth comb, pay for a rv inspection, and get an extended warranty. If none meet our expectations, we'll look else where! Thanks to everyone for your honest and valuable advice.

Rocky68D · 06-11-2015, 05:19 PM

One dealer we went to had a couple really sad and dirty rigs. We politely advised the salesman we wanted something in better condition. With that, he said he had just what we were looking for and escorted us to a brand new Entegra. Well, it was certainly nicer and cleaner. And out of our price range.

But it got me to thinking, would a dealer keep a couple of dawgs around so they could try to up-sell you one of their new coaches??

Speedjester · 06-11-2015, 06:41 PM

I found that strange myself..While I was test driving another Newmar..Wife opened up a few cabinet and found it loaded with food.. ( cookies, Pam, salad dressing I could go on..but half the cabinets were full of food).. The sales men tells me that they don't clean them up until someone buys it...

I went through it with the one I brought..The rugs were filthy...It smelled like they never dumped the tank..I Asked if they would clean the carpets to see if they clean up.. His response was..we don't do anything to them until there sold... So I had them agree if the carpet doesn't clean up to our liking..they would have them replaced...Well the carpets cleaned up great...

rapid rick · 06-12-2015, 05:47 AM

Back in the day, my first job was as an auto reconditioner. Used cars, depended, on condition, took 8-12 hrs to buff,wax,complete detail under hood,carpets dyed if needed,trunk sprayed with speckle trunk paint,tire shine, door jambs detailed to a knats butt, interior cleaned and dressed to look new. Then the car was safety checked,which included, check/replace brakes, exhaust, tires, lights, tuneup if needed. After that a road test, then, and only then was that vehicle put on the lot for sale. Before that process, that car was in a fenced area behind shop.The cost of all this was figured into the sales price. Every buyer got a feeling that they just bought a NEW car, looked new, smelled new,drove new. Process just made sense. Nowadays,I have seen trucks, filthy,on lot, I just shake my head, , I have heard stories of vehicles driven off the lot with brakes grinding .Rv industry no different, thats why we ended up buying new, used units mostly digusting, filthy, abused units. Sooo what is better for the shopper, seeing how it was previously taken care of,? or the same unit all cleaned up/covered up for nice presentation. same unit...
you decide. Unlike years ago when sellers cared about what they sold,and wanting to have happy customers,now I'm positive that you will only get a quick coverup job,to make the sale,nothing more.Call me cynical,but most of you know, it's true.
It's a whole new world we live in these days!

KC · 06-12-2015, 10:06 AM

Good luck with your search, I have some the same thing on New RV’s. Why would have an RV in your show room that has things that don’t work or is broken. I heard the same thing “It will be fixed before delivery”.

KC