Billing question on Newmar Service

[millerj]

I picked up my coach that was at Newmar for service this week for a problem I was having with a Thetford toilet that was no longer holding water. I live close by so it's more convenient to take it to the factory than to another repair facility. When I got my bill I noticed on a separate line they charged two hours worth of labor to diagnose the problem which we both knew the seals needed replaced when I dropped it off. The other charges were for one half hour to actually repair the toilet and for the parts which seemed reasonable to me. Is the standard procedure for Newmar to charge almost what I could have bought a new toilet for to diagnose the problem which in this case is very simple. I would have understood if the problem was more complex. If they would have lumped the labor together I probably wouldn't have thought much about it. I should probably note I was a CPA in my past life so I am kind of anal on things like this.

Jack

[Floridakamper]

Me thinks something stinks!!!

[slabman]

2.5 hrs. X $118 per comes out to about $300+parts. Not sure I'd expect much less than that. Why not do it yourself?

[Arch Hoagland]

Two hours to diagnose a toilet problem?

Good Lord how long would it take them to diagnose an engine problem?

I think I'd call and talk to the service manager, tell him the 2,000 people on iRV2 want to know what the problem is with their ability to figure out a toilet.

[spinn]

Perhaps a better question to ask Newmar than us

[millerj]

Slabman,


If I would have known it was going to cost $361 to replace toilet seals I would have done it myself since this is something I could have done but had other things going on at the time. I just had the coach up there a month ago and took it out for a long weekend and this problem came up. They were nice enough to just have me bring it up and leave it and they would work it in when they could. I have had the motorhome for not quite two and a half years and have had 44 different problems. I bought a Newmar since I live close to Nappanee and they are suppose to be one of the best so I keep hoping these "start up type problems" are behind me. All of my issues have been on the coach with none being related to the chassis or engine. That's a good thing.


Before calling Newmar I just wanted to ask the folks here if this sounds like the standard practice. Most of the items they have fixed for me have been under the Newmar warranty or the manufacturers warranty.

[vsheetz]

Toilet does not hold water - sounds like a ~30 second diagnose to me... Then likely a 1 hour minimum labor charge plus parts.

[Route 66]

I agree, call Newmar.

[peterson]

Originally Posted by Route 66

I agree, call Newmar.

Can't wait to hear their response. We are actively shopping our first new coach and threads like this will influence our decision.

[Flynryan15]

It is always best practice to dispute a bill before payment, once they have your money it will become much harder to get it back. Unless of course you paid with American Express.

[GaryKD]

Hi millerj,
Newmar will charge a customer the listed shop rate for each service performed. After having an experience like yours (more than once) I now ensure the work order is very specific as to what is to be done and what I am paying for. My examples would be too long to list.

[twinknkate]

You might consider driving to Ft. Wayne for out of warranty service instead of using the factory. I doubt that our local motorhome servicer would have charged that amount, and they usually can get to you much quicker than they can at the factory. They are familiar with the Newmar product--worked on our '97 MA gasser that we owned for 16 years, and our current coach. PM me if you want the contact info.

[millerj]

Mitch & Cathy


Could you tell me who you would recommend in Fort Wayne?


Jack

[Slolane]

Originally Posted by slabman

2.5 hrs. X $118 per comes out to about $300+parts. Not sure I'd expect much less than that. Why not do it yourself?

I'd pay that to not work on a toilet.